Nick and Tesla's Robot Army Rampage: A Mystery with Hoverbots, Bristle Bots, and Other Robots You Can Build Yourself

Gr 4–6—Nick and Tesla have been sent to stay with their Uncle Newt, an inventor. Unlike their last adventure where they rescued a kidnapped girl, this mystery is about a series of thefts. Some tension is added when a rare comic book is stolen from a friend's father that was meant to reverse the family's fortunes. However, the plot fails to generate urgency. Verbal instructions are given for making robots and other gizmos, all of which need parental supervision. The instructions refer to a booklet not included in the review copy. MacLeod Andrews does an outstanding job giving each character a unique voice. Andrews also makes some delightful sound effects; the robot voices are one of the highlights. In the final chapter, their mother leaves a message that they are in danger, but she is cut off. Unfortunately, ending with a cliff-hanger emphasizes the thinness of the main plot rather than generating interest in the next installment.—C. A. Fehmel, St. Louis County Library, MO