Those who have not yet experienced the magic of the mysteries of Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie can start off their journey into the world of mystery stories by reading Caroline Carlson’s The World’s Greatest Detective.

I found the characters interesting and the plot keeps you guessing the whole time, and just when you are sure you have solved the mystery, twists take you by complete surprise.

Toby is a ten-year-old who lives with his uncle because his parents are presumed dead after a boating accident. His uncle’s detective agency isn’t doing too well and if he has to close shop, Toby is scared that he would be sent off to an orphanage.

So Toby takes it upon himself to help his uncle’s detective business by taking up a detective course and participating in the crime-solving contest, The World’s Greatest Detective, pretending it is on behalf of his uncle. But Toby is not the only kid who aspires to be a good detective, Ivy, a girl in whose house the contest is taking place, is also interested in proving herself an a skilful sleuth.

Complicating and sidetracking the competition is the murder of a detective and the two kids, along with every other detective around, set about solving the murder mystery.

Set in the early part of the 1900s, there is a historical feel to the story, but not so much that the kids of today would not enjoy it. Who wouldn’t enjoy kids poking their nose in adults’ business, especially when the kids are as wilful and determined as these two?

The story moves along fast enough, keeps giving interesting clues that the readers starts to pounder on just as the two main characters do. There are enough light moments to give a few laughs and some nail-biting ones that one expects in all ‘whodunit’ stories. Kids 10 years and onwards, who are comfortable reading chapter books, will enjoy The World’s Greatest Detective.

Published in Dawn, Young World, February 24th, 2018