Review: A Discovery Disappears by Pip Murphy

I've actually found a way to squeeze in my Joker Read early this month...and I'm so glad I did because this one was a fun read. I found the mix between history, mystery, and the fact that it's made for early chapter book readers intriguing. And I wasn't disappointed.

Ready to take a peek? 

A DISCOVERY DISAPPEARS

Christie and Agatha's Detective Agency

by Pip Murphy

Illustrated by Roberta Tedeschi

Sweet Cherry Publishing

Chapter Book Historical Mystery

128 pages

ages 6 to 10

COMING...

SEPTEMBER 16th!!!

Book 1 in the 1920s detective series starring twin sisters Christie and Agatha!

When Agatha accidentally eats a major scientific discovery hidden in a sandwich, it's a race against time for twins Agatha and Christie to find out who's trying to ruin physician Sir Alexander Flemings reputation.

About the Christie and Agatha's Detective Agency series:
It’s not easy growing up in the 1920s. While Christie can usually be found up a tree or trying a spot of amateur engineering, her shy twin Agatha buries her nose in books and dreams of being a writer. The pair couldn’t be more different. But when a scientific discovery goes missing, they find that together they make a winning combination and Christie and Agatha’s Detective Agency is born. Join the twin detectives as they solve thrilling mysteries all over the world!

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MY TIDBITS

History, mystery, and a pair of twins are woven together into a fun and endearing read.

Agatha and Christie are twins, growing up in the 1920's, and each one is so different from the other. While one is out-going, the other prefers to be more alone. While one is into adventure, the other loves her books. But these differences only make them work that much better together, which is proven in this tale time and again. Their relationship, as well as the ones with those around them, are wholesome and warm. Yet, there's enough intrigue and secrets to make it exciting, too.

The author weaves in famous individuals, which readers may or may not already know (but this offers a great opportunity for them to discover them and learn more) and gives them personality along with a few, tiny bits of information. While this is set in the 1920's, it still keeps enough familiarity to grab modern kids and hold their interest. And the wonderfully done illustrations, which also stick to the time nicely, and it does a nice job at drawing into the time period, while keeping a story which grabs.

While the mystery itself is more of a simple one, it still isn't clear what's going on. Young readers will wonder what happened, while enjoying the two main characters and following them along as the girls try to figure out the answer.

This is a lovely read for those who have a good handle on their words but aren't quite ready for a full-fledged middle grade novel. And it's a great beginning to a new series.