Investigating Julius Drake

New school, new rules, and a mysterious new...friend?Fourteen-year-old Henry Walker and his mother relocated from Texas to Seattle so he could take advantage of a military dependent's scholarship at the prestigious Clinton Academy while his father is in Afghanistan. Bethany befriends Henry right away and introduces him to another girl, who crushes on him. Though he's really not ready to say he's gay out loud, Henry's more interested in enigmatic, intelligent, and (usually) unfriendly Julius Drake. (Lacking clues to the contrary, readers will infer that the principal characters are white.) When the popular star of the swim team attempts suicide and adults inexplicably decide Henry and Julius might have bullied him, Bethany and the boys investigate, uncovering a social media-centered mystery. Someone is catfishing the popular guys in Clinton Academy, and only Henry and his new friends can expose them. Gay-romance writer Harris aims at her youngest audience yet with this first title in the Life and Times of Julius Drake series, an obvious homage to Sherlock Holmes. The Holmes-ian Julius and Watson-esque Henry even have a Mrs. Hudson in Julius' nanny, Mrs. Hundstead. (The boys' relationship is tame, though this school is like many others in its hormone-fueled rumor mill.) The reason the boys begin the investigation could not be more flimsy; however, the mystery heats up three-quarters of the way in, and the denouement and setup for Book 2 are satisfying. Not a breakout but worth a look. (Mystery. 13-15) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 1, 2016

Gr 7 Up-A coming-out story set against a backdrop of villainous online behavior. Henry Walker, 14, starts the year with a scholarship to a prestigious private school. He becomes intrigued by an eccentric classmate with a troubled reputation. As a self-described army brat whose father is currently deployed, Henry has a freedom from parental supervision that allows him to quickly become caught up in the investigations of the aloof and calculating Julius into the apparent suicide attempt of a bully who clashed with Henry in the cafeteria. Julius and Henry ultimately find themselves facing deadly peril as they attempt to draw out the culprit behind "The Other Woman," the online persona manipulating their classmates into danger. The protagonist's internal conflict around his identity and his resulting treatment of his new friends and a very temporary girlfriend provide moments of authenticity in this flawed novel. The pacing is inconsistent, with the suspense kicking in halfway through when the investigation heats up and heads toward a melodramatic climax. Consider this coming-of-age tale for collections seeking an addition with a more suspenseful tone than Tim Federle's heartwarming and humorous Five, Six, Seven, Nate! or Becky Albertalli's Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. VERDICT The two-dimensional characterization, forced plotting, and uneven pacing make this a work to skip.-Amanda Foulk, Sacramento Public Library

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