A mystery that will appeal to middle school aged readers, or to anyone that enjoys a light and fun sleuth story.
Summer is a busy time for the coastal town of Asbury, especially with the Food Network in town featuring local restaurants. Brady’s, the town’s most popular eatery, faces some competition as a new restaurant opens next door. Then, to make matters worse, it looks like Brady’s may also be responsible for a half-dozen incidences of food poisoning, which threatens not only their chance to be featured on television but also their very existence. With strong incentives to protect the reputation of Brady’s, four high school freshmen discover that there is more going on in the town than meets the eye. Add in a search for Asbury’s rumored hidden treasure, and this will be a summer that these four friends will never forget.
Asbury High and the Parcels of Poison is the second book in the Asbury High series. Although the book makes numerous references to its predecessor, it is a standalone story that can easily be enjoyed on its own. Sharp-witted Maddie, tech-genius Pilot, Pilot’s girlfriend Carly, and the politician’s son Cornelious take the lead in discovering and investigating the possibility of nefarious happenings. Even beyond the main four there is a wide cast of supplementary characters, each one easily distinguished by their strong personality traits. The mystery elements, while generally a little obvious for adult readers, will ignite curiosity and suspense in the minds of younger readers. Kelly Brady Channick has written a quick paced, Scooby-Doo-esque story that features a strong storyline and even stronger bonds of friendship. Asbury High and the Parcels of Poison is a mystery that will appeal to middle school aged readers, or to anyone that enjoys a light and fun sleuth story featuring a group of likable young amateur detectives.
