THE WEATHER DETECTIVES

Two young teens use science to investigate a mystery on a cruise ship.

Following the deaths of his parents, 13-year-old Henry Alabaster has lived with his uncle Kelvin McCloud, who has gained some notoriety as a self-styled weather detective. Investigating mysteries that coincide with weather events brings uncle and nephew on a Caribbean cruise where an unknown person has been committing acts of sabotage. Henry’s friend Rachel, who has solved a weather mystery with them before, also comes along for the ride, bringing some chaste romantic tension. Interspersed with third-person narration from both Henry’s and Rachel’s points of view is exposition from a book within a book by McCloud, detailing curiosities like the invention of the mercury thermometer or the exploits of Antarctic explorers. These snippets of scientific history engage Henry and Rachel, who are the kind of people who casually use words like ersatz in regular speech, but don’t directly tie into the mystery; the overall tone is more textbook than thriller. Still, a grumpy captain and an encroaching tropical storm create some suspense—although, unsatisfyingly for the younger detectives, they’re off-page staying safe during McCloud’s climactic final confrontation with the saboteurs. Main characters read as White.

Has entertaining moments and a few fun facts.