The Name of This Book Is Secret

September 10, 2007
Blending the offbeat humor of Lemony Snicket and insight into the preadolescent psyche à la Jerry Spinelli with the captivating conundrums of Blue Balliett, the debut novel from a pseudonymous author is equal parts supernatural whodunit, suspense-filled adventure and evocative coming-of-age tale. When an unlikely pair of 11-year-old outsiders—survivalist Cassandra and aspiring stand-up comedian Max-Ernest—team up to solve a mystery surrounding the alleged death of an old magician and the strange and wondrous possessions he left behind, they unwittingly cross paths with the villainous Dr. L and his ageless accomplice Ms. Mauvais, who are obsessed with finding the magician's notebook. After the diabolical duo shows up at Cass and Max-Ernest's school, one of their classmates (a gifted artist named Benjamin) goes missing. Convinced that Benjamin has been kidnapped and faces mortal danger, Cass and Max-Ernest track the doctor and his glove-wearing sidekick to an exclusive and remote “sensorium” cum spa, where they uncover an arcane, alchemical, potentially apocalyptic bombshell. Relayed by an often witty, sometimes arch narrator, and loaded with brainteasers—anagrams, coded messages, palindromes and more—as well as such bounty as a brief and idiosyncratic history of Benito Mussolini, the definition of synesthesia and how Earl Grey tea got its name, Bosch's deliberately eccentric offering is likely to acquire a cult following. Ages 8-12.

This audio begins, proceeds, and ends with an intrusive narrator who delays the story, delivers misinformation, and tries to manipulate listeners. David Pittu minimizes the annoyance factor and maximizes a story made exciting by mysteries and puzzles. Even though the narrator refuses to name the characters, we get to know the incessantly talking Max-Ernest through Pittu's speedy speech, as well as the timid heroine, Cass, who tries to quell her fears as she faces scary situations. But the showstoppers are the villains, Dr. L. and Ms. Mauvais, who seek endless youth. Pittu gives them dark, evil voices tinged with a mysterious Eastern-European accent. While the snarky first-person narrator tries to distract listeners, it's these characters who captivate. S.W. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

June 1, 2008
Gr 4-6-This delightful mystery (Little, Brown, 2007) by Pseudonymous Bosch is about a secret that can't be revealed. In fact, the narrator takes great pains not to reveal too much information throughout the book, even telling the audience to "forget everything as soon as I tell it." As the story unfolds, Cassandra (not her real name!) has come upon a puzzling box of "smells" and a message from a dead magician. Cassandra and Max-Ernest (not his real name either) embark on an exciting adventure that involves a strange notebook written in secret code, a magician who has inexplicably disappeared, and a "golden lady" who seems to be ageless and will do whatever she can to stay that way. David Pittu does a wonderful job of voicing the quirky narrator and gives each character a distinct and appropriate voice. This enjoyable tale will appeal to mystery fans who relish cracking riddles and solving puzzles."Amy Joslyn, Fairport Public Library, NY"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

bluepotato1 - I read this book, and I really liked it. It is a book about a girl that may or may not have been called Cassandra, (that is the name used in the book) and a boy that may or may not be called Max-Ernest (that is his name in the book.) The book is about how Cassandra and Max-Ernest find a story about a man called Pietro's life. They come to a point in the story where Pietro and his brother are separated by a lady that matches the exact description of a lady they had seen only a few days ago. Just a little later on, a boy in their class is kidnapped, by the lady, who drives away in a limousine that says "The Midnight Sun Sensorium & Spa" Cassie looks The Midnight Sun up, and goes there as a Skelton sister, who in the book one of the famous make up producers Called the Skelton Sisters (they are actually sisters.) When she gets there, she meets a butler called Owen. He shows her to her room, and she goes to sleep. The next morning, he brings in a drink, with bits of gold inside. After, she has a mud bath, also with gold bits. At dinner, Max-Ernest comes in, and Cassandra accidentally spills a glass of wine on the lady's gloves. She turns out to be really old. When a large group of people have a meeting in the pyramid building, Cassandra and Max-Ernest start a fire, and save the boy. They get away with Owen, who turns out to be a spy. When they get home, everyone is happy. Except for the principal, who thinks Cassie and Max-Ernest kidnapped the boy.