COFFIN ON A CASE

Here, Bunting brings a glib, easy style to the tale of Henry Coffin, son of a partner in the detective agency "Coffin and Pale." When his father is unable to take on a case, sixth-grader Henry hooks up with "gorgeous babe" Lily—several years his senior—whose mother has disappeared. Figuring in the plot are the theft of a jade figurine, the appearance of two shady newcomers in a still-under-construction development, and the discovery of a missing wooden stork. It's a point-blank mystery that gets its atmosphere from Henry's funny narration and the frequent invocation of the name and talents of "Sam Spade"; and though Bunting's more sophisticated fans may not find much to get their claws into, those who like uncomplicated suspense will be (albeit briefly) entertained. (Fiction. 8-12)