The Case of the Scarlet Snakebite

An amateur detective seeks to uncover the truth behind the theft of a precious item in this whirlwind caper by Morrell (The Curse of the Dead Man’s Diamond). “No creeping, no peeping, no prying, no spying” is 12-year-old Amber Alder’s grudging promise to her mother when the Willoughby family checks into the Alders’ bed-and-breakfast. Influenced by her love for Agatha Christie and her world-famous detective father, who keeps his distance following her parents’ divorce, Amber sees “diabolical plots everywhere.” Thus far, her mystery-solving efforts lack accuracy (her math teacher isn’t an international assassin, according to the SWAT team Amber sent to the educator’s house). But the Willoughbys—an elderly mining magnate, his trophy wife, and their greedy adult children—seem like “a mystery novel come to life.” When the patriarch’s $6 million gem is stolen, Amber wants to cartwheel with glee—until her mother is implicated. Now the tween must find the real culprit before she loses everything. While the results of Amber’s hasty accusations are sometimes cringe-inducing, her deep love for Hercule Poirot, her strong forensic techniques, and her savvy search for clues culminate in a fun-filled homage to cozy mystery classics. Amber cues as white. Ages 10–up. Agent: Danielle Chiotti, Upstart Crow Literary. (Feb.)