Kat Wolfe Takes the Case

October 1, 2019
Kid detectives find themselves mixed up in 10 interconnected mysteries. Native Briton Kat Wolfe and her American friend, Harper Lamb, daughters of a veterinarian and a paleontologist, respectively, feel fully equipped to take on a mystery or two--after all, they've done it before (Kat Wolfe Investigates, 2018). But this new one proves to be a little more complicated--they count at least 10, many pertaining to endangered and extinct (and maybe fantastical) creatures, from bluefin tunas to dinosaurs. Is the new fossil unearthed in their Dorset, England, town a dinosaur or a dragon? Why are two Hollywood stars interested in it, and why won't they pay Kat for all the petsitting she's doing for their Pomeranian? What might Kat's grandfather, Britain's minister of defense, have to do with it all? Amazingly, all 10 mysteries do intertwine, though it takes some extraordinary strokes of luck along with Kat's commendable sleuthing skills. St John makes some missteps with the American characters, using a lot more British language patterns and words than seems plausible for people who didn't grow up there. Adult characters are silly enough that the kids get to be the heroes of the story, but they're not so buffoonish that they'll insult the intelligence of the characters or readers. Kat presents white while brown-skinned Harper is of Cuban descent, and their community reflects a vigorously diverse England. Animal lovers transitioning from middle grade to YA will find a lot to enjoy here. (Mystery. 10-14)

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December 1, 2019

Gr 4-6-Katarina (Kat) Wolfe and her best friend, Harper, are back solving mysteries and advocating for animals in this second installment. The discovery of the bones of a dracoraptor, or "dragon dinosaur," attracts scientific and media attention in their idyllic town of Bluebell Bay. The unearthing of a human skull soon after does nothing to calm the onslaught. Add in the arrival of a flamboyant, mendacious movie-star couple; a puzzling snake owner; and Kat's powerful, enigmatic grandfather, and the game is afoot. The girls' investigative skills are quickly put to the test. Are the two discoveries connected? Was the skull's owner a victim of foul play or a tragic accident? Gathering clues from an overdue library book, a carelessly dropped metal card, and the repeated phrase, "Even dragons have their endings," Kat and Harper find themselves in perilous situations before fully answering these questions. Readers of the previous book will appreciate catching up with the interesting cast of characters, but the enjoyment of this volume is not diminished by not having read the first. St. John's prose is splendid, and her extensive knowledge of animals great and small is evident. VERDICT A complex mystery with well-placed red herrings, important reminders about animal care and conservation, and appealing protagonists make this a recommended purchase.-Sara-Jo Lupo Sites, George F. Johnson Memorial Library, Endicott, NY

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