The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit (Randi Rhodes, Ninja Detective)
Life’s been hard for 12-year-old Randi Rhodes since her mom died a year ago. But Randi—aspiring detective and tae kwon do black belt—finds distraction and satisfaction by anonymously solving crimes in her Brooklyn neighborhood, despite the fact her famed mystery writer dad has retreated into himself and stopped writing. When they relocate to Deer Creek, Tennessee, Randi worries she is done with detective work, but she spies opportunity when a 200-year-old time capsule, possibly containing treasure that would prevent the town’s bankruptcy, disappears during the Founder’s Day Festival. She partners with and befriends D.C. and Pudge, two other newcomers, to find the capsule and save the town. Oscar winner Spencer’s debut features some familiar characters and plot conventions—haunted cabins, secret tunnels, corrupt politicians—but overall, is an entertaining, suspenseful read. Randi’s grief over her mother, and desire for her father’s attention, add a layer of vulnerability to her appealing character. An appendix includes activities from taking footprint casts to recipes for referenced foods. Grades 4-6. --Shelle Rosenfeld