Secret of the Skull (Saxby Smart - Schoolboy Detective Book 4)

Great 👍

Did what it said on the tin

I find myself in self-isolation far removed from my anticipated reading selection. This is an opportunity to read books and authors that I would probably have never come across under normal circumstances. One such author is Simon Cheshire whose many books are targeted at young adults and who has extensive experience of visiting schools and meeting his young audiences.Between 2007-10, Cheshire wrote nine books featuring the boy detective Saxby Smart who operates from his garden shed and responds to cases brought to him by friends from St Egbert’s School, neighbours or [as in the second story] by text. Each book, of which this is the last, contains three mysteries that Smart manages to solve and declare ‘Case Closed’.He is assisted by several of his school friends who have specialised expertise – such as Isobel ‘Izzy’ Moustique, the school’s greatest boffin, and George ‘Muddy’ Whitehouse, St Egbert‘s ‘leading expert in all things gadgety’. Smart narrates each investigation but what sets this series apart from other mystery books is that Cheshire/Smart challenges the reader to spot the clues leading to the identification of the guilty party. The engaging style incorporates narrative as well as examples of the detective’s case file report book in which he summarises his thoughts and, after asking for the reader’s assistance in identifying clues [signposted by three large question marks], describing the evidence that comes from solving these. This harks back to Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson but the author does not patronise his young readers.The opening story ‘Secret of the Skull’ is the most nuanced with the boy detective responding to the concern of a schoolfriend, a refugee from the Balkan crisis, about the behavior of his aunt who had been arrested many years earlier by soldiers of the ruling military dictatorship and confined to prison for many years. As the investigation develops it broadens to take in bank robbery, people trafficking and forgery, leading to Smart agonising whether or not to inform the police of his findings since this would have a shattering effect on his friend and family. This is just one of a number of ethical concerns that are posed for readers of any age to consider.The second story, punningly entitled ‘Diamonds are for Heather’ begins with an anonymous e-mail informing Smart that a international gang will be meeting at a local hotel to transfer a hoard of diamonds to another group of criminals. Fortunately, the parents of another schoolfriend both work there so Smart is invited to an all-girls birthday party and sleepover on the night of the transfer – something that almost puts a stop to his investigation. The opening chapter reveals the trickery behind a seemingly impossible magician’s illusion that enables him to identify the hotel worker who is an accomplice of the criminals and explain how he managed to be in two places at once.In ‘The Guy who came in from the Cold’, Smart is laid up in bed with a cold when Izzy visits him, and describes a mystery at school that day. One of the teachers, Mrs Penzler, brought an old book of nothing more than sentimental value to show to the class but it disappeared. Strange must rely on the memories of Izzy and Muddy to reconstruct what happened, who was responsible and what the motive was. Once again, Case Solved!The humour, short story format and school background make these very accessible to younger readers and the key role of Izzy means that it may be enjoyed by both girls and boys. I imagine that it would be ideal for group reading as the audience could discuss and debate possible clues and their significance before turning the page to check their thinking.

Do you want a crime-solving book that makes you think hard for the answer?Then,Secret of the Skull is for you!This exciting book follows the adventures of Saxby Smart, school-boy detective.He can solve the mystery of a diamond smuggling ring quicker the Sherlock Holmes!With help of his loyal friends, there is now crime Saxby can't solve!You're brain will be thinking like Einstein when you read the three very adventurousstories.You will not be able to put it down!In my opinion, the second story in this book,Diamonds Are For Heather, is the best, as it will keep you guessing 'till the very end!Boys and girls alike will love this book as it is as adventurous as it comes!Mainlychildren aged 8+ will enjoy this book.Don't forget to look out for the rest in theseries!So criminals beware, Saxby Smart is on the case!