Twelve-year-old Myla finds herself in the middle of a decades-old crime conspiracy after she purchases a mysterious street-fair necklace engraved with the Indian symbol Om and the word, "keeper." Chari's (Vanished, 2011) latest thriller is wholly original, celebrating diversity within and between families, presenting graffiti as an art form, and acquainting audiences with the practice and practicality of parkour. When Om symbols start appearing on train stations around New York City, Peter knows his recently missing brother, Randall ("Mighty"), must be responsible. Peter teams up with Myla to find Randall before local gang the Fencers does. Fast-paced and intricately plotted, Chari's mystery is a rare achievement that pays off at every turn, featuring characters of color interested in their families' histories and cultures. Spot art further draws readers into the sleuthing atmosphere as they get a look at entries in Myla and Peters' notebooks. Myla and Peter's race to find Randall turns into a race to discover a family secret that comes to a gripping and satisfying conclusion.

Myla and Peter step into the path of a gang when they unite forces to find Peter's runaway brother, Randall. As they follow the graffiti tags that Randall has been painting in honor of the boys' deceased father, they uncover a sinister history involving stolen diamonds, disappearances, and deaths. It started long ago when the boys' grandmother, a diamond-cutter, partnered with the head of the gang. She was rumored to have hidden his diamonds before her suspicious death, leaving clues to their whereabouts. Now everyone is searching, including Randall. The duo's collaboration is initially an unwilling one fraught with misunderstandings. Even after Peter and Myla bond over being the only people of color in an otherwise white school (Myla is Indian-American; mixed-race Peter is Indian, African-American, and white), Peter can't believe the gang is after Myla. But Myla possesses a necklace that holds a clue. Alternating first-person chapters allow peeks into how Myla, Peter, and Randall unravel the story and decipher clues. Savvy readers will put the pieces together, too, although false leads and red herrings are cleverly interwoven. The action stumbles at times, but it takes place against the rich backdrops of gritty New York City and history-laden Dobbs Ferry and is made all the more colorful by references to graffiti art and parkour. A quick, agreeable caper, this may spark some discussion even as it entertains. (Mystery. 10-12)

Myla is afraid of heights and does not make friends easily, but the unusual necklace she buys at a street fair makes her feel special. When twelve year-old Peter moves in across from her, Myla discovers he has a similar necklace. Fatal mishaps seem to run in Peter’s family—Grandmother Rose (a diamond cutter) was never found after a bridge accident and Peter’s father died from a fall at a construction site. Now Peter’s brother, Randall (Mighty), has disappeared, and Myla and Peter begin searching for him by tracking his graffiti tags. These events are somehow connected to missing diamonds and a smuggling ring. Myla and Peter locate Randall who is hunting for the jewels while acquiring parkour skills. Other individuals—some nefarious—are also after the gems and will stop at nothing to acquire them. Eventually, the clues lead the pair to the diamonds, the bad guys are apprehended, and both families strengthen in unity. Myla and Peter are both uniquely drawn and their ethnic diversity is refreshing. Initially, the plot advances using their alternating voices but, well into the action, Randall emerges as a third narrator which this reviewer found disconcerting. The plot strands, however, unfold well and the clues are subtle enough to challenge mystery sleuths. The seamless integration of facts about New York City, the Croton Aqueduct, and the diamond cutting industry adds considerable interest as does the explanation of parkour. Readers may also acquire new respect for the art of graffiti. This is a fun, and perhaps educational, read.—Barbara Johnston.