Starred Review ALA Booklist (Mon May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

Starred Review Since his parents disappeared while on a trip to the sea, Toby Montrose has been passed around to every one of his relatives, and now he's on his last one, so he has to be on his best behavior or he fears he will be doomed to the orphanage. Luckily for Toby, this last relative is Uncle Gabriel, owner of Montrose Investigations, who lives on the notorious Detectives' Row, right down the street from a famous detective Toby idolizes: Hugh Abernathy, who has a line of customers waiting every morning, and whom Uncle Gabriel can't stand. When Hugh Abernathy invites Uncle Gabriel to a competition to determine who's the world's greatest detective, he refuses. And when Toby decides to go in his place, the contest transforms into a real mystery when someone turns up dead. As Toby and his new friend Ivy and her dog, Percival, begin to question suspects, they uncover secrets about the detectives, including a long-buried history between Uncle Gabriel and Hugh Abernathy. Toby is an instantly endearing lead, and the fictional world of Colebridge, with its sleuthing population, crimes, and Detectives' Row, is sure to captivate readers. The witty dialogue, clever characters, and twists and turns are sure to keep young sleuths riveted. A dream come true for young mystery fans.

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Carlson (the Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates series) creates a richly imagined Victorian-esque setting in a mystery that highlights the capabilities of adults and children alike, regardless of gender. Following years of being bounced around from relative to relative after the disappearance of his parents, 11-year-old Toby Montrose ends up with his Uncle Gabriel on Detectives- Row in the fictional city of Colebridge. He-s determined to avoid trouble to ensure that his investigator uncle will let him stay, despite financial strains. So when an opportunity arises to make a significant amount of money-and earn the title of World-s Greatest Detective-by solving a weekend murder mystery at an estate, Toby jumps at the chance, relying on his smarts, lessons learned in a detection-focused correspondence course, and the help of new friend Ivy and her dog. Toby is a delightfully complex character, prone to doing the wrong things for the right reasons. His misadventures with Ivy lead to hilarious and gasp-worthy moments that will keep readers racing toward an ending that-s sure to keep them guessing. Ages 8-12. Agent: Sarah Davies, Greenhouse Literary. (May)

Kirkus Reviews

Following the disappearance of his parents, 11-year-old Toby is passed from relative to relative before landing with his uncle Gabriel, a master detective.The citizens of Colebridge love sleuthing, but the high concentration of detectives has made criminal behavior scarce. None feel it as keenly as the residents of Detectives' Row. When a letter arrives for Uncle Gabriel inviting him to a competition that will grant the title of World's Greatest Detective and $10,000 to the detective who can solve a crime, Toby thinks that Uncle Gabriel should accept. The title would mean an uptick in business. The money would soothe Toby's fears that Uncle Gabriel, unable to afford to keep him, might pass him off to the orphanage. But his uncle rejects the invitation, forcing Toby to take matters into his own hands. Thankfully he is already training to become a detective. However, a startling discovery puts even that in doubt. Toby is a perfectly likable and flawed hero, and his inner monologues are engaging and amusing. Uncle Gabriel, with his poor culinary skills and kind heart, make him the perfect literary guardian. And the evidently largely white community of early-20th-century Colebridge is an appealingly eccentric one. But the simplistic mystery, undeveloped secondary characters, and plodding pacing need further investigation. A whodunit that fails to intrigue. (Mystery. 8-12)

School Library Journal (Mon May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2017)

Gr 4-6Eleven-year-old Toby Montrose has been shunted from one relative to another in the three years since his parents disappeared. Now, he's at the last stop before the orphanage: Uncle Gabriel, who lives on the city's famed Detectives' Row. Unfortunately, the city of Colebridge has more detectives than crime, and only Hugh Abernathy, the World's Greatest Detective, is making any money. When Abernathy announces a detectives' competition in a country house, Toby is sure it's the answer to their financial problems, but because of an old feud with Abernathy, Uncle Gabriel refuses to participate. Toby hatches a plan to get into the house party himself, hoping to solve the case on his own. When Abernathy is unexpectedly found murdered, Toby must team up with Ivy Webster, daughter of the family who own the country house and a fellow aspiring detective, to get to the bottom of the mystery. Readers who enjoy classic tales of detection complete with chemical experiments, disguises, interrogations, and surprising revelations will relish this story. Carlson expertly evokes a Sherlockian atmosphere and drops just enough clues to keep readers guessing. Hand this book to fans of Blue Balliett and Trenton Lee Stewart. VERDICT For general purchase, especially where mysteries are in demand.Misti Tidman, Mansfield/Richland County Public Library, OH