Ruby Redfort: Catch Your Death

This is the third installment in the Ruby Redfort series, and it is as charming and smart as the first two books in the series. The plot is perhaps more complex than in the first two books, and the characters and their relationships with each other have a bit more dimensionality. These books are, though, generally pure fun. They contain spunk, humor, puzzles, slapstick, and adventure. What more could a kid want? Ruby is a wonderful character, and although (or perhaps because?) she is far from perfect, she's a great role model for boys and girls. She disrespects authority, lies, and cheats, but whatever! I wouldn't necessarily want her as my kid (or student), but she's a lot of fun and is a great example of a smart, interesting, and show more ambitious kid. show less

This was an utterly delightful read, and has made me want to read the other Ruby Redfort books. Part spy, part detective, Ruby Redfort is a most engaging child sleuth.Child does an excellent job of catching the voice of her 13-year-old protagonist and her friends. Additionally, throughout the novel there are puzzles and codes for the reader to figure out, another aspect of the book that I quite enjoyed.

Perhaps it's because I was jumping into the series with this book, but I found it a little off-kilter at times. When I got to the paragraph about Ruby's missions arriving on her breakfast toast, I actually had to backtrack and reread the page just to make sure that I hadn't misunderstood - it just struck me as something that didn't entirely fit with the story so far.
I think the writing of the characters is strong - they have vibrant voices, and personalities - and I would probably have enjoyed this a lot more if I had started at the beginning. As a stand-alone book, I found it difficult to really get a feel for what I was getting into at first, and to enjoy the story without constantly going "Wait, what?"
Strong prose, but I would show more definitely recommend going in order! show less

Another fun Ruby Redfort offering - having failed her survival challenge, 13-year-old Ruby is in danger of being kicked out of the secret spy agency, Spectrum. At the same time, there is something odd in Twinford - jewels disappearing, strange animal sightings, an evil SCENT plot. Lucky that Ruby is still on the case.

The third Ruby Redfort book was an above average read! It took me a few days to get into it, with me only reading a chapter here and there, but I soon got into it and finished it quickly!

Ruby is in the midst of becoming a Spectrum agent, but must first pass survival training. One of the main themes of the book, relating back to this training, is for Ruby to rely more on instincts and her environment rather than her head knowledge.

The other main plot is the mystery of why wild and thought to be extinct animals are showing up around town. Mix in stolen jewelry and long though lost perfume and you've got a recipe for a great book! Child does a good job tying everything together in the end.

I found this book at first a little difficult to follow having not read the first in the series. I just recently bought the first ones. I still found this book very intersting and a real joy to read. That Ruby is quite the charactor. I highly recomend this book and I look forward to her other books.

What a fun book. I would recommend it to any of my younger friends. In fact, I've already given it to one of them. I didn't realize that it was a children's book when I ordered it, but it was fun even for an ex-child. I will read the first two in the series.