The World's Greatest Detective

by Caroline Carlson

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A 2017 Agatha Award nominee! A best children's book of the year pick for kids nine to twelve from Bank Street College! Caroline Carlson, author of the Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates series, returns with The World's Greatest Detective, a story of crime, tricks, and hilarity for those who know that sometimes it takes a pair of junior sleuths to solve a slippery case. Detectives' Row is full of talented investigators, but Toby Montrose isn't one of them. He's only an assistant at his show more uncle's detective agency, and he's not sure he's even very good at that. Toby's friend Ivy is the best sleuth around - or at least she thinks so. They both see their chance to prove themselves when the famed Hugh Abernathy announces a contest to choose the world's greatest detective. But when what was supposed to be a game turns into a real-life murder mystery, can Toby and Ivy crack the case? show less

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3 reviews
Mystery fans will be pleased, indeed!

11-year-old Toby Montrose has been bounced around from family member to family member following the disappearance of his parents. Finally, he ends up in the care of his Uncle Gabriel, a detective on the famed street, Detective’s Row. When the World’s Greatest Detective, Hugh Abernathy, announces a contest to choose the next World’s Greatest Detective, Toby hops on the chance in hopes of earning the prize money and helping out his uncle. But, when Hugh Abernathy unexpectedly turns up dead, it’s up to Toby and his new friend Ivy to solve the case!

What I liked: such a fun detective story! It’s like a cross between a Sherlock Holmes and an Agatha Christie novel, but brought down to a kid’s show more level. The two main characters are fun and unique, and the story will keep you guessing.

What I didn’t like: not much. The opening scene seemed a bit too long, although it did help establish the main character and his desperate need for getting the money to help his uncle. Other than that, the story itself was delightful and fun to follow along with.

I highly recommend to anyone who loves a good mystery.

5 out of 5 stars
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I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

Toby Montrose has been passed around from relative to relative, ever since his parents disappeared in a boating accident. Now he finds himself with his Last Relative, Uncle Gabriel, who lives on Detective's Row and has fallen on hard times.

Toby dreams of being a detective himself, and when the most famous detective, Hugh Abernathy, opens up a contest to determine the World's Greatest Detective, Toby knows he has to be a part of it. But when the game is no longer a game, Toby must solve a real-life murder.

This is such a fun book! It reminds me of the kid-centric mysteries I used to read when I show more was younger, and always enjoy revisiting. The mystery is clever, and the characters are really likable and easy to root for.

I also loved the nods to other famous literary detectives. There were some definite homages to characters like Sherlock Holmes and Miss Marple that really made me grin.

There really wasn't anything not to like about this mystery. I'm hopeful it becomes a series!

I would definitely recommend this read. It won't take you long at all, and you'll have a lot of fun while reading.
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½

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Author Information

Picture of author.
10 Works 824 Members

Some Editions

Huggins, Emily (Translator)
Kelly, Kitty (Narrator)

Awards and Honors

Common Knowledge

Canonical title
The World's Greatest Detective
Original publication date
2017-05-16
People/Characters
Tony Montrose; Gabriel; Hugh Abernathy; Ivy; Mrs. Arthur-Abbot
Dedication
For Nora
First words
Most people who made their way to Detectives’ Row were in trouble, one way or another, and Toby Montrose was in a heap of it.
Last words
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Toby opened the door wide. “Then you’ve come to the right place.”
Original language
English

Classifications

Genres
Kids, Tween, Fiction and Literature
DDC/MDS
813.6Literature & rhetoricAmerican literature in EnglishAmerican fiction in English2000-
LCC
PZ7 .C21644Language and LiteratureFiction and juvenile belles lettresFiction and juvenile belles lettresJuvenile belles lettres
BISAC

Statistics

Members
153
Popularity
210,624
Reviews
2
Rating
(4.11)
Languages
English, French, German, Portuguese
Media
Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
ISBNs
11
ASINs
3