The Case of the Time-Capsule Bandit

Gr 4–6—Randi, 12, a reluctant new resident of sleepy Deer Creek, Tennessee, is a black-belt karate expert and a budding detective. She and her father, a famous suspense writer, are mourning the recent death of her mother. Randi meets D.C., an asthmatic, bullied, wannabe Bruce Lee, and together they decide to find the missing time capsule upon which the economically depressed town has pinned all its hopes of revitalization. Mysterious Pudge Taylor rounds out the group. If they don't locate the treasure everyone believes is in the time capsule, the mayor and his cronies will buy up the town and turn it into a luxury golfing lodge. Ghosts, an angry old guy, suspicious federal agents, and town founders all factor in to the exciting mystery. Spencer keeps up the pace and the sense of danger. The characters are interesting, and each one deals with some pretty serious issues. All in all, this is a promising start to a series that should appeal to both boys and girls, including reluctant readers.—B. Allison Gray, Goleta Public Library, CA