abigailsbuchanan's review
5.0
This series is so good. It reminds me of Calvin and Hobbes in its believableness, surrealness, and hope. Thank you for some excellent reads, Mr. Barnett.
singerji's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
pwbalto's review against another edition
5.0
Read and reviewed by both of my kids:
Zhou: I like how it's about car theft, because I don't think there are a lot of kids mystery books about car theft, and I like how there's a triple agent, so Mr. Vanderdraak doesn't realize that his cars are being stolen by -
YNL: Wait, are you telling me who done it?
Z: Oh! I guess I am. Anyway, they all go to jail.
Full review on Pink Me: http://pinkme.typepad.com/pink-me/2011/11/catching-up-on-middle-grade-chapter-books.html
Zhou: I like how it's about car theft, because I don't think there are a lot of kids mystery books about car theft, and I like how there's a triple agent, so Mr. Vanderdraak doesn't realize that his cars are being stolen by -
YNL: Wait, are you telling me who done it?
Z: Oh! I guess I am. Anyway, they all go to jail.
Full review on Pink Me: http://pinkme.typepad.com/pink-me/2011/11/catching-up-on-middle-grade-chapter-books.html
tcbueti's review against another edition
4.0
Quite entertaining. In the third book of this series, Steve has retired, at the age of twelve, from detecting, after the author of his beloved Bailey Brothers detective novels has betrayed and disappointed him (See #2). Of course, Steve can't keep himself from detecting., and he's soon trying to figure out what's going on in the mysterious last car of the train he's taking or a school trip. Naturally, he ends up on the roof wearing a bathrobe and shower cap...
I love how Steve is so confident in the ridiculous and old-fashioned advice he gets from The Bailey Brothers' Detective Handbook, and then reality steps in. His reluctant sidekick, Dana (his "chum") adds more humor.
Aside from the humorous aspects, the plotting is brisk and twisty.
I love how Steve is so confident in the ridiculous and old-fashioned advice he gets from The Bailey Brothers' Detective Handbook, and then reality steps in. His reluctant sidekick, Dana (his "chum") adds more humor.
Aside from the humorous aspects, the plotting is brisk and twisty.
kbhenrickson's review against another edition
4.0
My son and I enjoyed this book more than the second book in the series. This book has more humor, and the story was stronger.
cuocuo's review against another edition
4.0
This series just keeps getting better. A whole lot of fun. Bonus points for a "love interest" (they're 12, okay) with freckles, brown hair, glasses, and sass because we all know that's the very best kind.
Enjoyed the attempted take-down of derivative fantasy series but it wasn't quite as sharp as the on-going detective pastiche.
Enjoyed the attempted take-down of derivative fantasy series but it wasn't quite as sharp as the on-going detective pastiche.
jhliu's review against another edition
4.0
Steve Brixton is at it again — well, he wants to retire but people just keep dragging him back into detective work. So now he's trying to solve a mystery about car thieves, all while aboard a moving train. Action! Adventure! Romance! More silly advice from the Bailey Brothers!
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