FINALLY, SOMETHING DANGEROUS

Who’s ready to sniff out some crime?

The One and Onlys—Gloria Longshanks “Shanks” Hill, Alexander “Peephole” Calloway, and Paul (still no nickname) Marconi—return in this sophomore outing. Although technically Peephole isn’t an only child since the birth of his baby sister, Trillium, the group name is really good, so they kept it. This time Shanks serves as the narrator, guiding readers through the evolving town of Bellwood, where Mayor Frank Pilkington is aggressively pushing a platform of newness and wants the residents to start patronizing the sleek, national restaurant chains that have been popping up around the city. Along with the restaurants, the town has been experiencing a wave of scents drifting through the air, from the sweet smell of ice cream to the mouthwatering aroma of pizza. But when the denizens start queuing up at their old favorites, the foul odor of sewer pipes frequently sends them running toward the corresponding chain restaurants instead. Who could be responsible for these crimes against mom-and-pop stores? And are they connected to the recently spotted robot crows seen around town? As before, Cornett plays fair with the clues, allowing young sleuths to potentially solve the case ahead of the detectives. A subplot regarding the historically unequal treatment of Black citizens of Bellwood integrates seamlessly into the story, providing readers with some food for thought after the denouement. The central cast reads White; there is racial diversity among supporting characters.

A tasty treat for any mystery lover.