The Sherlock Society by James Ponti

Does anyone write about smart, funny, quirky middle school kids as well as James Ponti does? I genuinely do not think so, especially when it comes to placing them in exciting, crime-solving adventures.

Mr Ponti’s latest series centers on siblings Alex and Zoe Sherlock, who are inspired by their last name to start a detective agency. It actually begins with Alex deciding to start a school club with his best friend Yadi, revolving around puzzles and mysteries. They’re joined by new girl Lina, and are enjoying an Escape Room party planned for them on the next-to-last day of school by the librarian when Zoe barges in. Alex tricks her into playing with them but she soon discovers that she actually likes puzzles. Almost as importantly, she thinks that she now has the perfect plan to monetize their skills over the summer.

Zoe desperately wants to make enough money to go to summer camp with her friends, so proposes starting a detective agency to the rest of the Sherlock Society. They’re enthused, and recruit the Sherlocks’ Grandpa to be their Director of Transportation and Logistics. Unfortunately for the budding agency’s plans, Alex and Zoe’s lawyer mom quickly shuts down the private investigation for hire part of their business as being unlicensed and far too dangerous. She relents, however, when it comes to investigating historical mysteries that may or may not come with hefty cash rewards.

Grandpa, being a former journalist, has loads of old mysteries for the kids to check out. After some research and discussion, the Society decides to look into the case of Al Capone’s missing million. Legend has it that he buried a million dollars somewhere in Florida before his stint in Alcatraz. Finding it will bring the kids more than enough money to afford summer camp and more.

With Grandpa’s guidance on best journalistic practices, the kids find some really exciting clues… but also uncover evidence of crime of an entirely different kind. Spurred by a greater desire for justice than for riches, the Sherlock Society takes on a case that could prove far more dangerous than even Alex and Zoe’s mom ever feared possible.

This tightly-written, fast-paced Middle Grade thriller features four great kids, their very realistic families, and a truly intriguing, important mystery. Zoe’s growth throughout the book is wonderful to read, as is the development of the other three young members of the Society. Grandpa is a hoot, and I loved how his struggle to be a responsible adult was so often superseded by his love of adventure.

There’s also real depth behind this exciting tale. The kids learn how to approach investigative journalism responsibly, as well as how to deal with law enforcement and how to set up for documentary film-making. The emphasis on environmental issues is also really great without being at all heavy-handed. I really love Mr Ponti’s City Spies series but think that this one might be even better — tho perhaps I’m just saying that because I’ve actually managed to get in on the ground floor here. The kids of the Sherlock Society feel like real tho supersmart kids, with many of the same feelings, motivations and flaws as the average middle schooler. I would have absolutely devoured Mr Ponti’s books as a child, and am so glad to be able to enjoy them as an adult regardless.

The Sherlock Society by James Ponti will be published September 3 2024 by Aladdin and is available for pre-order from all good booksellers, including