Book Reviewd by: Jonathan Rose

Disappearing Acts

A Herculeah Jones Mystery

By: Betsy Byars

Herculeah Jones and Meat are solving a murder that occurred at a comedy club called Funny Bonz where Meat discovered a dead person in one of the bathroom stalls. I liked this book because it is a mystery with suspense and action. Betsy Byars is an award-winning author of many novels for young readers. She has won the National Book Award. I think middle school students would like this book because it is suspenseful and it was exciting to find out the solution to the case.

On the first day of Meat’s comedy class, he discovers a dead person. After he tells the owner about the dead person, the owner finds the body and moves it to the back alley. He then tells the students that it was an April Fool’s joke. Meat knows what he saw and asks Herculeah to help him solve the case. Meat found a purse with a broken chain, lipstick and a wallet in it. Meat and Herculeah learn the identity of who they thought was the dead body. Then Meat sees a person he recognizezes walking down the street. Meat tells the person he found something of hers at the club, Funny Bonz. They go to Funny Bonz and the person opens the door with a knife. When they are inside Funny Bonz the person tells Meat that they are the killer.

I believe all readers will like this book because of the suspense and action. The mystery is kept secret until Meat comes face to face with the killer.

Feb. 2008