THE A&A DETECTIVE AGENCY

Middle school sleuths Asha Singh and Alex Foster expand their circle and their knowledge of history in this thrilling second series entry.

Someone claiming to be “the Witch of Waverly College” is leaving clues for town leaders to find, including one delivered via a rock thrown through a window with a cryptic note attached. The chairman of the local Fairfleet Institute is given until Halloween to solve the mystery, and he asks the tween detectives (who are well respected from solving a previous case) for their help. Robberies of mausoleums have also occurred at the Willow Grove Cemetery, and all signs connect them to the story of a 1690 witch trial (two years before the famous events in Salem), during which local woman Hannah Grimthorpe was tried and executed. With many of their eccentric mentors unavailable to help, Alex (who reads white) and Asha (who’s Indian American) learn to lean on others as their tightknit friendship, and their detective agency, both grow. With support from their community, basset hound Aggie, and skills learned in middle school, they ultimately solve the case. Rich descriptive language elevates the well-paced plot and immersive setting. The large cast of racially diverse characters engage in smart, punchy dialogue and show moments of sincere accountability and reflection. The story’s deeper themes—including the nature of truth and the questioning of legacies—are rooted in relevant, present-day realities.

A smart, standout mystery that’s cleverly delineated with equal parts charm and care.