Bound To Stay Bound

School Library Journal - 01/01/2018 Gr 4–7—It's the summer before seventh grade, and the retrieval (not theft) business is a little slow until one of Jeremy Wilderson's best friends, Case, shows up out of breath and with bad news. Amateur P.I. Becca Mills is at it again, accusing Jeremy and his friends of stealing an artist's paintbrushes. So when it appears someone's set on sabotaging the annual Scottsville Youth Art Show and Competition, possibly with the stolen art supplies, Jeremy must yet again partner with Becca, this time to set the record straight and protect Case's contest entry in the process. But can Becca and Jeremy ferret out the saboteur—without being spotted by Jeremy's friends—before their tentative alliance falls apart? Fans of the first installment in this series will enjoy the return of the author's witty dialog and quirky characters. While the tension between Becca and Jeremy occasionally borders on the absurd, readers' patience with those moments will be rewarded when the partnership works perfectly. And with some surprising twists and turns, the mystery of whodunit will keep kids guessing until the very end. VERDICT An engaging mystery that proves Hymas's debut was only the beginning. A recommended purchase, especially for libraries that already have Under Locker and Key in their collections.—Kaitlin Frick, New York Public Library - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.

Booklist - 01/01/2018 Jeremy is not a thief—he is a “retrieval specialist” who assists fellow students in getting stolen items back. Standing in his way is school private eye Becca, who views Jeremy as a criminal. When Jeremy’s best friend, Case, is accused by Becca of stealing from a fellow artist, they stumble upon a much deeper mystery. Someone is planning to sabotage the Scottsville Youth Art Show and Competition! Reluctantly, the two nemeses agree to work together for the sake of art, even if they each have different suspects in mind. Since there are some spoilers about the series opener, Under Lock and Key (2017), Hymas’ second installment is best read after the first. Some readers may tire of the repetition of clues and suspicions, but most will be able to overlook that quibble and enjoy the fast-paced mystery, red herrings, and bickering between young rivals. The ending introduces a possible angle for a third book: a mysterious source who seems to know everything about everyone at Scottsville Middle School. - Copyright 2018 Booklist.