ALA Booklist (Tue Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2013)

The student detectives from Chickadee Court are back, with a fresh mystery to solve. A new girl, Eve, moves into the neighborhood with her family and causes a rift between Alex and Yasmeen by laughing at Yasmeen's loud and off-key singing. When Eve's birthday ice-sculpture, as well as all of the ones from the Ice Carnival, disappears, Alex and his friends investigate, while Yasmeen investigates on her own (their involvement is strangely encouraged by the local police). The latest title in the Chickadee Court series is fast paced and well plotted, and readers will anticipate more mysteries to come.

Horn Book (Tue Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

When all the ice sculptures intended for the town's annual Ice Carnival are stolen, eleven-year-old Alex Parakeet and his sleuth friends follow clues (water containing volatile chemicals; a dog that doesn't bark) to solve the case. This fifth series mystery is solid and satisfying, set against a background of holiday celebrations and enhanced with much humor and intrigue.

School Library Journal (Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 CST 2014)

Gr 4-6 Alex and Yasmeen are back. New Year's Day is around the corner, and so is the Ice Carnival. As the College Springs festival grows closer, however, someone steals all of the ice sculptures intended for the event. Around the same time, a new girl, Eva, moves into town and drives a wedge between Alex and his friend, Yasmeen. As an amateur detective and son of one of the town's police investigators, Alex feels obligated to solve the mystery, but can he do so without Yasmeen? Eve and another girl, Sophie, try to help him, but it isn't quite the same. The characters are a little underdeveloped, but the fast-paced plot will engage children. Reluctant readers will be drawn in by the humor and interesting clues that unfold. Fans of the series, and kids who like mysteries, friendship stories, and realistic fiction will enjoy this book. Kira Moody, Whitmore Public Library, Salt Lake City, UT