Cold Case

Gr 4—7—Oz Keiller, 13, isn't happy about having to work at his family's restaurant in Santa Fe on Saturday morning. His grumpiness quickly turns to fear when he finds blood all over the kitchen, and, worse, a dead guy in the walk-in fridge. He discovers that the murdered man was a reporter who had accused his deceased father of being a spy and a traitor. Oz jumps into action when his older brother becomes the prime suspect, and, with the help of his friend Rusty, they try to clear his brother's name and solve the mystery. Their searching leads them closer to the real killer but also closer to real danger. Quick-moving action makes this a fast and easy read. Oz begins the story resistant to responsibility, but readers witness his transformation as he works hard to keep the restaurant successful and his family intact. The other characters are likable enough, but lack distinctive voices. The dialogue, usually abrupt and sarcastic, keeps the conversation flowing; however, it is not always initially clear who is doing the speaking. Readers will easily imagine the heat and setting of the New Mexico desert, but the inclusion of so many street names is distracting. Leonard does an admirable job of maintaining the story's energy, including unexpected twists that will keep readers on the edge of their seats and trying to solve the mystery along with Oz and Rusty.—Elizabeth C. Johnson, Fort Vancouver Regional Library, WA