Phyllis Wong and the Forgotten Secrets of Mr Okyto

Gr 4–6—Phyllis Wong, the descendant of a world-famous magician, is a likable new sleuth. The adventure begins when her friend, Chief Inspector Inglis, who lives in her father's apartment building, is baffled by the theft of an outrageously valuable necklace. Security camera footage shows the piece simply vanishing into thin air. Phyllis investigates but doesn't get anywhere until her father gives her an early birthday present-the key to the basement of the apartment building. Here lay all the props used by her mysterious and famous great grandfather, a magician of large renown who disappeared many years earlier. By studying the cache of tricks and magic accoutrements, Phyllis figures out who committed the series of unlikely crimes. McSkimming creates an aura of suspense by letting the reader in on some of what Phyllis learns, but leaving enough untold so that the revelations are as unexpected to the reader as they are to the Inspector, Phyllis's proud dad, and her friends. The characters are intelligent, persistent, and willing to trust in each other. McSkimming leaves room for a sequel with many questions still unanswered. Some words may be unfamiliar to American readers, but the context in which they are used should help define them.—B. Allison Gray, Goleta Public Library, CA