ALA Booklist

Thirteen-year-old Nick is the younger (and brighter) half of the Diamond Brothers, the world's worst detective agency. Dwarf Johnny Naples becomes their client, entrusting the two with a mysterious package (a box of Malteser chocolates) just before he is killed, leaving Tim Diamond, literally, holding the gun. With Tim in jail, Nick is forced to solve the case--hopefully before someone murders him, too. Originally published in Britain (where it was also released in film and television versions), this pays homage to the hard-boiled-detective-with-a-snappy-comeback genre and to The Maltese Falcon book and film that the title spoofs. Horowitz's classic cast of quirky villains-- including The Fat Man, Gott and Himmel, Beatrice von Falkenberg, and the Professor--and nonstop action and clever, deadpan humor ensure the novel will be a popular choice.

Horn Book (Sun Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2004)

The year Winnie turns eleven is full of tumult as friendships shift. She learns to appreciate a girl she had previously overlooked and to stand up for her opinions. Winnie's growing pains are heartfelt, and the balance of funny and bittersweet makes the novel realistic and readable.

School Library Journal (Fri Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2004)

Gr 5-8 Nick Simple's life is anything but simple. His parents have moved to Australia, leaving him in the care of his incompetent older brother who is trying to make a living as a private detective and changes the family name. They are visited by a dwarf who leaves a package with them for safekeeping and later turns up dead. Set in England and filled with a variety of colorful characters, the plot reads like a 1940s P.I. movie. Like Horowitz's "Alex Rider" series (Philomel), the teen protagonist relies on his wits to thwart the enemy. Short chapters, with a conflict in each one, will appeal to reluctant readers. Kim Carlson, Monticello High School, IA