Vanishing Acts

Gr 4–6—Madison Kincaid is the daughter of famous attorney. Her best friend went to Europe over the summer and hasn't contacted her since, and she isn't in school on the first day. When Madison tries to get in touch, she discovers a neglected house and yard and an untouched Facebook page. The seventh grader sees these details as sinister and worries that harm has come to her friend. A second mystery involves Madison's second-grade teacher, who has also gone missing and, it appears, has been murdered by her husband. When Madison's father is retained by the husband for his defense, Madison becomes involved in the case in the guise of "helping" her dad. This is a straightforward mystery with just the right number of twists and turns for younger and reluctant readers. Fans of "Nancy Drew" (Grosset & Dunlap), "The Red Blazer Girls," and "Sammy Keyes" (both Knopf) will enjoy the sleuthing.—Tina Martin, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, IL