A review by jessalynn_librarian
Half-Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer

3.0

The trick with children's mysteries is finding a story that's gripping enough to serve as a real puzzler, but which could hypothetically be solved by an actual child. Despite its over-the-top moments, I think this one succeeds. The mystery to be solved is full of schoolyard crimes, boy-hating girls, walkie-talkies, disguises, and so on, complete with a classic mystery-novel scene where the (child) detective has a hunch and tricks the criminal into making a confession in front of a room full of people. In this case, that room full of people is the school talent show. Brilliant. I'd definitely recommend this to kids looking for a strong, funny mystery (and while there's a bit of violence, it's mostly accidental and there are no murders or anything of the sort).