Vanishing Acts

Gr 5–8—Madison Kincaid is starting junior high, trying out for the soccer team, and facing down bullies. And she's hot on the trail of two missing people—her best friend, Anne, who hasn't shown up for the start of school, and Mrs. Shelby, her second grade teacher. Madison's father, a criminal defense attorney, is defending Mrs. Shelby's husband who is charged with her murder. The faster the case is solved, the more time Mr. Kincaid will have to spend with his daughter and help her figure out what happened to Anne, which is how Madison justifies nosing around the Shelby case. The plot of the first title (HarperCollins, 2011) in a new series by Phillip Margolin and Kate Margolin Rome moves quickly and listeners will appreciate the details about murder investigations, evidence, and court proceedings. Kate Rudd's narration gives voice to Madison and her father adequately but falls short when it comes to Jake, the new transfer student from Georgia who helps Madison. A good fit for middle grade mystery fans.—Kristie Miller, Alexander Central Schools, NY