"The Brixton Brothers: The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity"

Written by Mac Barnett

Illustrated by Adam Rex

Simon & Schuster 2009

Approx age 9 and up

Steve Brixton, aka Steve, is like most of us part-time super sleuth's in training. He has a Guiness Book of World Records with a secret compartment, an encyclopedic knowledge of classic detective stories, and a severe distrust of anyone with a mustache. While at the library researching a social studies report, a case of mistaken identity will put all his all his P.I. know how to the test, as he is embroiled in an national conspiracy involving special agent librarians, villainous longshoremen and his mom's jerk boyfriend.

Mac Barnett has hit the jackpot on his first try as a mystery writer. The plot's turns for the weird don't feel forced, IE the aforementioned commando librarians, and the continuing references and illustrated examples from the Bailey Brother's Detective Handbook serve the story, rather than the other way around. Adam Rex is perfectly paired with Barnett on this one, his distinct-yet-chameleon style adapting itself to whatever diagram is thrown his way. Speaking of throw, the diagram on page 116 of how to throw the Shawn Bailey haymaker punch takes me back to all my junior spy kits from my international man of mystery days.

This book is the middle ground between a classic Gordon Korman and the Hardy Boys. All the gags are working towards tying up the mystery, and the detective story conventions completely avoid cliché.

I think I have to go dust off my magnifying glass now.