It Happened on a Train

Gr 4–6—Twelve-year-old Steve Brixton is a private investigator—and retired. After learning The Ghost Writer Secret, Mac Barnett's second title (2011) in the series, Steve has become disillusioned with his investigator role models and is determined to leave the world of sleuthing behind. However, Steve's reputation as a successful PI draws him back into a compelling mystery in It Happened on a Train (2011, both S & S), and he embarks on a dangerous train trip with his chum, Dana, and Claire, an interesting young lady. They confront baddies and evil intentions—and discover an interesting twist in a string of expensive car thefts. Arte Johnson provides a natural voice for Steve's engaging, often comical story. The wry, textured narration conveys the tale's tongue-in-check but serious undertones. While listeners may occasionally miss the rise and fall of a chapter or the shift of a scene that the visual text provides, they will quickly be drawn into the plot and find themselves pulling for Steve to escape the latest threat. An engaging listen.—Janie Pickett, Lackland ISD, San Antonio, TX