Lori wants to be a detective but, so far, the most exciting mystery she has solved is the disappearance of her nan’s specs down the side of the sofa. Max is the new girl at school and Lori is asked to look after her. Max is odd. She doesn’t fit in – but then Lori doesn’t really fit in either.
When some charity money goes missing and Max disappears, Lori seems to be the only person who doesn’t think Max has stolen it and run away. Even the police don’t want to investigate and suddenly Lori finds she has a real crime on her hands.
Lori and Max are lovable characters who make brilliant friends. Lori's chapters are written in first person and her viewpoint is lots of fun. She is desperate to be a detective, and looks for mystery and adventure in every aspect of her life. Max, on the other hand, has a difficult life at home and her chapters are often more serious, addressing issues such gambling, mental illness and poverty.
There are some incredibly tense moments and I think young readers will find this story fast-paced and thrilling. However, it is also very funny, with plenty of comedy provided by Lori's observations and notes, and her eccentric nan. It's definitely a good choice for anyone in the Summer Reading Challenge #SillySquad.
There are plenty of puzzles for both girls to solve, from coded messages to missing money and one very angry hamster. Young readers will be kept guessing throughout, and pitting their detective skills against Lori's as they race to work out what's going on.
A second story in this series, Lori and Max and the Book Thieves, comes out this October so this summer is a great time to read the first.
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