Who Killed Darius Drake?

August 1, 2017

Gr 4-6-Mystery and adventure abound in Philbrick's latest middle grade novel. Arthur "Bash Man" Bash and Darius Drake are an unlikely pair who team up to solve the mystery of a missing diamond necklace. The mystery takes the boys through secrets in Darius's past that intertwine with old town folklore. The duo is soon joined by Arthur's stepsister Dierdre. Reminiscent of Philbrick's outstanding middle grade novel Freak the Mighty, the odd friendship of the two main characters builds throughout the novel. The feeling of being an outsider, or of just being different, will resonate with students. The mystery elements are well plotted, and readers will enjoy trying to piece together various clues. VERDICT Fans of mystery or adventure titles such as Tracy Barrett's "Sherlock Files" and Trenton Lee Stewart's "The Mysterious Benedict Society" will appreciate this novel.-Elizabeth Pelayo, St. Charles East High School, IL

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 15, 2017
In a typical Philbrick (The Big Dark, 2016, etc.) combination of humor and insight, two kids become unlikely partners in detection. In this comfortable whodunit for readers discovering the genre, genius white orphan Darius takes the role of lead investigator, while fat white kid Arthur Bash narrates the unfolding plot. "Thug-for-hire" Arthur, also known as Bash Man, plays the role of class heavy, taking payment in candy bars from kids who want someone scared. Darius offers Arthur three Snickers bars to win his protection as he investigates the note--written in blood--asking, "Who killed Darius Drake?" Soon both boys are headed into the scary Stompanado projects and confronting the legendary Scar Man. It's all somehow connected to the mysterious disappearance of a diamond necklace estimated to be worth $15 million. With the addition of Deirdre, Arthur's bubbly white stepsister, the detective team is off and running through libraries and official records as well as contacting a local historian. Frighteningly perilous encounters ensue. While readers will ID the bad guy, there are enough red herrings to keep them engaged along the way. Throughout, it becomes clear to both readers and kids that the old saw Arthur quotes, "never judge a book by its cover," applies to all concerned: smarter-than-he-acts Arthur, frightening Scar Man, and their down-and-out postindustrial town--Philbrick's interrogations of class assumptions are pointed. A smart and worthy mystery. (Mystery. 9-12)

COPYRIGHT(2017) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 1, 2017
Grades 4-6 Newbery Honor Book author Philbrick concocts an intricate whodunit featuring a young sleuth and his reluctant sidekick, romantic and family tragedies, hidden treasure, and a genial, Johnny Deppesque killer. Having developed a reputation as a bully, chubby Arthur Bash is nonetheless discomfited when orphaned brainiac Darius Drake hires him (with candy bars) to be his bodyguard. Darius has received the titular notewritten in blood!with a return address that leads to a ramshackle old house near a tough housing project. Determined to find the note's author, Darius drags his increasingly panicked hired muscle into various terrifying encounters. Dives into town archives and interviews with a local historian link the house to a sad WWI-era love story, a missing million-dollar necklace, and Darius' own parents, killed a decade before in a car accident (or, as it turns out, accident ). Dropping tantalizing hints of grisly events to come, Philbrick leads readers to a melodramatic denouement. An artful mix of clues, cons, and violence, with prizes at the end that glitter both literally and figuratively.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)