  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 05/01/2017 Gr 4–6—Eleven-year-old Toby Montrose has been shunted from one relative to another in the three years since his parents disappeared. Now, he's at the last stop before the orphanage: Uncle Gabriel, who lives on the city's famed Detectives' Row. Unfortunately, the city of Colebridge has more detectives than crime, and only Hugh Abernathy, the World's Greatest Detective, is making any money. When Abernathy announces a detectives' competition in a country house, Toby is sure it's the answer to their financial problems, but because of an old feud with Abernathy, Uncle Gabriel refuses to participate. Toby hatches a plan to get into the house party himself, hoping to solve the case on his own. When Abernathy is unexpectedly found murdered, Toby must team up with Ivy Webster, daughter of the family who own the country house and a fellow aspiring detective, to get to the bottom of the mystery. Readers who enjoy classic tales of detection complete with chemical experiments, disguises, interrogations, and surprising revelations will relish this story. Carlson expertly evokes a Sherlockian atmosphere and drops just enough clues to keep readers guessing. Hand this book to fans of Blue Balliett and Trenton Lee Stewart. VERDICT For general purchase, especially where mysteries are in demand.—Misti Tidman, Mansfield/Richland County Public Library, OH - Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Booklist - 05/01/2017 *Starred Review* Since his parents disappeared while on a trip to the sea, Toby Montrose has been passed around to every one of his relatives, and now he’s on his last one, so he has to be on his best behavior or he fears he will be doomed to the orphanage. Luckily for Toby, this last relative is Uncle Gabriel, owner of Montrose Investigations, who lives on the notorious Detectives’ Row, right down the street from a famous detective Toby idolizes: Hugh Abernathy, who has a line of customers waiting every morning, and whom Uncle Gabriel can’t stand. When Hugh Abernathy invites Uncle Gabriel to a competition to determine who’s the world’s greatest detective, he refuses. And when Toby decides to go in his place, the contest transforms into a real mystery when someone turns up dead. As Toby and his new friend Ivy and her dog, Percival, begin to question suspects, they uncover secrets about the detectives, including a long-buried history between Uncle Gabriel and Hugh Abernathy. Toby is an instantly endearing lead, and the fictional world of Colebridge, with its sleuthing population, crimes, and Detectives’ Row, is sure to captivate readers. The witty dialogue, clever characters, and twists and turns are sure to keep young sleuths riveted. A dream come true for young mystery fans. - Copyright 2017 Booklist. Loading...
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