The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity
A Brixton
Brothers Mystery
Mac
Barnett
Simon & Schuster (Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 1-4169-7815-1 (1416978151)
ISBN-13: 978-1-4169-7815-2 (9781416978152)
Publication Date: October 2009
List Price: $14.99
Synopsis (from
the publisher): Steve Brixton always wanted to be a detective ... until
he found out he already WAS one.
It all starts here: The thrilling story of Steve Bixton's first case.
Our hero has a national treasure to recover, a criminal mastermind to
unmask, and a social studies report due Monday -- all while on the run
from cops, thugs, and secret-agent librarians.
Since when can librarians rappel from helicopters? Does Steve have any
brothers or sisters? If not, then why is this series called The Brixton
Brothers? You will solve all these mysteries and many more by the time
you finish The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity.
We think you'll agree: Steve Brixton's first adventure is his best
adventure yet.
Review: Mac
Barnett introduces Steve Brixton, a school age investigative detective
(just like it says on his license, which he received for 12 cereal box
tops plus $1.95 shipping and handling) on a quest to find a national
treasure in The Case of the Case of
Mistaken Identity.
Steve is given a homework assignment on a Friday, due Monday, to write
an 8 page essay on needlework. He'd rather be writing about being a
detective, the topic given to his best friend and chum Dana ("don't
call me chum"). The following day he goes to the library and finds a
book titled An Illustrated History
of American Quilting, which he promptly labels the most boring
book ever written. Worse even than The
Serious Skald's Guide to Medieval Icelandic Poetry. But someone
must think the book is interesting, because Steve is soon being chased
by a secret society of librarians, a thug working for a mysterious Mr.
E., and the Ocean Park Police, an officer of which just happens to be
dating Steve's mom. Using helpful hints provided in The Bailey Brothers Detective Handbook,
Shawn and Kevin Bailey being two amateur sleuths featured in his
favorite series of mysteries, Steve narrowly escapes all sorts of
dangerous situations, and with the help of his chum Dana ("don't call
me chum"), solves a mystery that dates back to 1776.
The Case of the Case of
Mistaken Identity is a clever, at times wickedly funny, spin on
The Hardy Boys mystery series, right down to the illustrations and
endpapers. Quotes from The Bailey
Brothers Detective Handbook are generously provided and include
advice on hiding places ("You can hide in or behind ... grandfather
clocks ... today's newspaper ... hedge mazes ... sea caves ... secret
tunnels ... Mexico!), an illustrated guide to how to make rope, and
what to
do if you find yourself tied up with rope. Of course, the advice
doesn't always work quite as well for Steve as it did for the Bailey
Brothers. Shawn and Kevin, for example, simply flexed their muscles as
they were being tied up, only to relax and have the rope fall
effortlessly to the ground after their captors left. When Steve is tied
up, he relaxes and the ropes are as tight as ever. "For the first time
it occurred to Steve that Shawn and Kevin Bailey had considerably
bigger muscles than he did. The old
flex-your-muscles-while-you're-getting-tied-up trick did not work every
time."
The plot is no more far-fetched than the typical Indiana Jones or
National Treasure movie, and is really quite delightfully convoluted.
That it will engage young readers is almost a given; what's possibly
more surprising is how much the book will appeal to adults, especially
those familiar with The Hardy Boys series books. The only incongruous
aspect to the story is the inclusion of a scene in which Steve is
threatened with a gun. It seems particularly inappropriate given how
light and entertaining the story is; moreover, it's nonessential from a
plot perspective. Children are exposed to enough overt violence in
their everyday lives; it's unnecessary here in what is otherwise and
overall an exceptional example of escapist entertainment.
Special thanks to Simon & Schuster for providing a copy of The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity for this review.
Review Copyright © 2009 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved
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The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity
Simon & Schuster (Hardcover), October 2009
ISBN-10: 1-4169-7815-1 (1416978151)
ISBN-13: 978-1-4169-7815-2 (9781416978152)
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