The Case of the Stinky Socks (Milo and Jazz Mysteries)
*Starred Review* The first book in the Milo & Jazz Mysteries series gets it just right: a fun, easy-to-solve mystery, readily identifiable young detectives, and some extras readers will enjoy. Milo is excited when he receives his detecting kit from Dash Marlowe, Super Sleuth. Dash’s instructions (written in invisible ink) say to observe carefully, and the first thing Milo notices is his new neighbor, Jazz, reading Whodunnit magazine. Jazz wants to be a detective, too, and after some uneasy negotiations, the duo decide to partner up and find out what has happened to Jazz’s brother’s lucky (and stinky) socks. Without them, he’s afraid he won’t be able to pitch a winning game. The short chapters, written in a large typeface, are punctuated by pen-and-ink illustrations of better quality than those often seen in series books. Even kids who aren’t sports-oriented will enjoy flexing their detective skills here and in the second installment in the series, The Case of the Poisoned Pig (2009). The story cleverly ends with new materials from Dash Marlowe, offering additional opportunities for armchair sleuthing. Grades 2-4. --Ilene Cooper--This text refers to theLibrary Bindingedition.