First Clues: Mysteries for Kids is pleased to announce a selection of new mystery, suspense and thriller books (including series books) scheduled for publication during February 2013, listed in approximate order of reading level, from books for younger readers to books for teens and young adults.
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The Wrigley Riddle
David A. Kelly
A Ballpark Mystery
These sports-themed mysteries are recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.
Ivy-covered walls — they're the most famous part of the Chicago Cubs' historic ballpark, Wrigley Field. Mike and Kate can't wait to get down on the field to see the ivy for themselves. But when they do, they're horrified to discover patches of the ivy have been ripped away! Who would want to sabotage the stadium? Is it someone trying to curse the Cubs? Or is the rumor of a treasure hidden under the ivy tempting greedy fans?
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Treasure on Superstition Mountain
Elise Broach
A Superstition Mountain Mystery
This series of adventure mysteries is recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.
Even though Henry Barker and his two brothers learned firsthand that the urban legend about danger on nearby Superstition Mountain wasn't just a myth, this doesn't stop them from planning their return. Along with their friend Delilah, the Barker brothers soon find themselves entangled in more danger and mystery as they uncover a real treasure, but the discovery comes at a very big price — they barely survive an avalanche. The question remains — is someone after them, or is the mountain seeking revenge?
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The Curse of the Pharaoh
Steve Stevenson
An Agatha, Girl of Mystery Mystery
This new series — the first two titles are being published this month — is recommended for readers aged 7 to 9.
Agatha: Girl of Mystery is a fanciful and fabulous new mystery series about a headstrong girl detective who jets off on exotic and international adventures with the help of her hulking bodyguard and loyal cat named, aptly, Watson. The first mystery in this series sees young detective Agatha Mistery traveling to Egypt. Rumors of a mysterious tablet unearthed in the Valley of the Kings may be just the clue that Agatha needs to unlock the secret curse of an ancient Pharaoh.
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The Pearl of Bengal
Steve Stevenson
An Agatha, Girl of Mystery Mystery
In this second book, Agatha Mistery heads to India to help out her uncle Raymond — a wildlife photographer and a snake charmer. This time Agatha and her uncle are on a mission to find the famous pearl of Bengal, and ancient artifact that was stolen from the temple of the Hindu goddess Kali.
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Play Dead
Jane B. Mason
A Dog and His Girl Mystery
This first book in a new series is recommended for readers aged 8 to 10.
When Dodge, a German shepherd police dog, finds himself retired after an accident leaves him deaf in one ear, he's lucky to be adopted by the perfect family. Twelve-year-old Cassie Sullivan, his girl, smells almost as good as a dog, and gets her nose for sleuthing from her police chief mom and coroner dad. Cassie is smart and quick on her feet, and doesn't mind breaking a couple rules to get to the bottom of a mystery. Dodge has forty-two dog years of experience solving crime, as well as a great network of other four-legged colleagues when he needs more intel.
When Verdel Ward, the richest man in town, goes missing, it seems like everyone from the mayor to the housekeeper wants his fortune, which he's left behind with no will. But Cassie and Dodge can smell a mystery from a mile away, and can't help wondering why a miser would go swimming in a dangerous cove, what's up with the suspicious fiancee, who's been sneaking around the mansion, and where a twin brother has come from.
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The Fourth Stall Part III
Chris Rylander
This third in"stall"ment of this series is recommended for readers aged 8 to 10.
Their business is finished, and Mac's and Vince's lives have become something they have never been before: simple. None of the fortune or the glory, none of the risk or the threat of juvenile prison. There's even a new business that has stepped in to take their place (and take the heat off Mac and Vince for once). Things couldn't be better.
But that was before things at their middle school started to go haywire. Before they found out that there's a new crime boss at a school another town over trying to consolidate power. And before their old nemesis, Staples, came back to town begging for help after his stint in the clink. Just when Mac and Vince thought they were out, the business pulls them back in. But this time, will they be able to escape with their lives and their permanent records intact?
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The Camp Phoenix Caper
John V. Madormo
A Charlie Collier, Snoop for Hire Mystery
These neighborhood adventures are recommended for readers aged 8 to 10.
Charlie Collier is back solving mysteries out of his parents' garage, and this one's a doozey! Actually, there may be more than just one mystery out there to solve.
There's Charlie's friend Sherman's brother, who is missing. And then there's a series of robberies in town involving masked teenagers. Could they be related? Charlie has to get himself in a heap of trouble — like getting thrown in juvie! — to figure out what's going on.
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Menehunes Missing
Cheryl Linn Martin
A Hawaiian Island Detective Club Mystery
This mystery series, set in Hawaii, is recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.
It's just a game, right? Wrong! The Menehune Hunt turns into eerie intrigue filled with danger as The Hawaiian Island Detective Club tackles their second genuine mystery.
The crazy clues make no sense at all, but Leilani is determined to figure out why the statues of Hawaii's treasured, Leprechaun-like little people are disappearing during the school fundraiser event, even if it means asking her pain-in-the-pants, ten-year-old brother, Kimo, for help. A fire, a visit from police, a creepy stakeout, too many suspects and an intense diversion involving Kimo and an irate storeowner hinders their investigation. Leilani worries that they'll never figure out who's stealing the odd, yet unremarkable little statues, and why. Are she and her friends in danger … possibly from someone they know?
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Traitor in the Shipyard
Kathleen Ernst
A Caroline (American Girl) Mystery
The American Girl mysteries — three titles are being released this month — are recommended for readers aged 10 to 12.
When Caroline learns that British spies may be lurking in Sackets Harbor, she is worried. Then, a long lost friend of Papa's shows up in town. Papa is delighted to give him a job at Abbott's Shipyard, but soon, strange things start going wrong. Caroline is sure a spy is making trouble at the yard — but is it one of Abbott's trusted workers, whom she has known all her life, or could it be Papa's dear friend? An illustrated "Looking Back" section discusses the role of spies in the War of 1812.
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Lost in the City
Kathleen O'Dell
A Julie (American Girl) Mystery
Julie is excited to take care of Lucy, a talking parrot, while her friend Ivy is on vacation. But soon she realizes that she has taken on more than she can handle. Then Julie discovers that an old friend is hiding secrets from her. Could he be responsible for the strange things happening at Ivy's house? Or is someone — or something — else to blame? An illustrated "Looking Back" section describes the wild parrots of Telegraph Hill, plus the increase in vegetarianism in the 1970s.
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The Haunted Opera
Sarah M. Buckey
A Marie-Grace (American Girl) Mystery
Marie-Grace is excited that a well-known English opera company will perform in New Orleans — at the same theater where she takes singing lessons from Aunt Océane. Even better, her aunt has gotten a role in the opera! As Marie-Grace and her friend, Cécile, help out during rehearsals, they're thrilled to meet real opera stars and get a peek into theater life. But thrills turn to chills as the girls make disturbing discoveries behind the scenes! An illustrated "Looking Back" essay describes New Orleans' place as a leading cultural center for opera and theater in 1800s America.
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Secret of the Red Arrow
Franklin W. Dixon
A Hardy Boys Adventure
The books in this new series are a fresh approach to a classic series recommended for readers aged 10 and older. Two titles are published this month.
Teenagers Frank and Joe Hardy are supposedly "retired" from their detective work. But there is a new mystery in Bayport that needs their investigative expertise — and fast!
Starting with a bank heist, a series of alarming pranks have popped up around Bayport. Ultimately harmless, the pranks turn out to be the work of Seth Diller, an amateur filmmaker who plans to make "zillions" from his reality-horror flick, which he'll use to help out his brother, a wounded Marine.
But after the Hardy brothers put a stop to the Panic Project, there is a new outbreak of Seth-like pranks — only these have definite victims. All signs point to evidence of a crime gang in Bayport, and Frank and Joe undertake the most dangerous investigation they've ever encountered. It's up to them to save their town — and themselves — before the Red Arrow gets to them first.
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Mystery of the Phantom Heist
Franklin W. Dixon
A Hardy Boys Adventure
Rich girl Lindsay Peyton is throwing the biggest and best Sweet Sixteen bash that Bayport has ever seen. But her party planning is off to a bad start when Frank and Joe discover that someone has keyed her very expensive car—an early birthday present — and has put the mean prank up on YouView.
Soon after the prank goes viral, a group calling themselves the Scaredevils begin to film themselves committing acts of violent vandalism around town. Broken windows, Dumpster fires, and more threaten the security of Lindsay's party — and of Lindsay herself.
Frank and Joe are determined to figure out who is the mastermind behind the videos before Lindsay's Sweet Sixteen turns into a party she will never forget…for all the wrong reasons.
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Strangers on a Train
Carolyn Keene
The Nancy Drew Diaries
The books in this new series are a fresh approach to a classic series recommended for readers aged 10 and older. Two titles are published this month.
Nancy's Alaskan adventure continues as she, Bess, and George disembark the mystery-plagued Arctic Star cruise ship and explore the grand sites of the forty-ninth state: Skagway; the Yukon territory, and Denali National Park. It's spectacular scenery, but things start to go wrong almost immediately, leading Nancy to believe that whoever was behind the unsolved mayhem aboard the ship has followed them onto dry land. The girl detectives had better watch their steps — they're on uncharted and unknown territory!
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Curse of the Arctic Star
Carolyn Keene
The Nancy Drew Diaries
Nancy, Bess, and George are cruising dangerous waters on a tour of Alaska. Becca Wright, an old friend of Nancy's, is the Assistant Cruise Director of the Arctic Star, a posh new ship. But Becca needs Nancy's help when strange things keep happening aboard the opulent ocean liner: The swimming pool becomes a floating grave; a famous passenger is threatened; and even the seemingly innocent mini-golf course becomes a perilous playground. With the majestic and mysterious Alaskan scenery as a backdrop, Nancy and company have to find out who's trying to sabotage the maiden voyage and why.
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First Clues: Mysteries for Kids is your source for information on over 200 mystery series for children and young adults, where each series is conveniently listed under four different age categories (New Sleuths, ages 4 to 6; Future Sleuths, ages 7 to 9; Junior Sleuths, ages 10 to 12; and Apprentice Sleuths, ages 13 and older).
