P.K. Pinkerton & the Petrified Man

Gr 5–8—P.K. Pinkerton, a half-Lakota 12-year-old sleuth (purportedly related to the famed detective), opens up shop as a private eye in the rough and tumble mining town of Virginia City, Nevada. His first case gets off to a rocky start when a creepy stone doll is delivered with a cryptic message. Next, a frightened young servant who witnessed the murder of "soiled dove" Short Sally Sampson implores him to find the killer. Meanwhile, P.K. fears retaliation from his two enemies from The Case of the Deadly Desperados (Putnam, 2011). P. K. proves to be an endearing main character (and a surprisingly good detective) because of his "thorn"-a form of high-functioning autism that gives him a heightened sense of smell (he collects tobacco samples) and the ability to remember everything he sees. Prompted by his difficulty reading facial expressions and remembering what he hears, he records the details of the case using "ledger sheets," forming chapters. Western fans will especially appreciate the cast of colorful characters that includes gamblers, gunslingers, ladies of the night, Civil War deserters, and even a truth-bending rookie reporter named Samuel Clemens. Infused with humor and fast-paced action, this slightly gritty mystery has a satisfying resolution, making it an enjoyable historical romp.—Madeline J. Bryant, Los Angeles Public Library