The X'ed-Out X-Ray (2005) by Ron Roy
When Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose go to a Penelope Gwinn concert, they expect to have a lot of fun. Penelope's fans are all "Penguins"--so dressing up like the black and white birds is part of the whole concert experience. There will be good music and good food at the concessions stand--all shared with good friends. Who knew there'd also be a good mystery to solve?
At intermission, the kids go to the carnival-style area for snacks and fun. There's a carousel to ride and when they hear a shout and see a crowd gather, Dink kneels on his green dragon for a better look. And promptly falls off the carousel and hurts his arm. This sends him to the medic's tent where Dr. Fleming wraps his arm and tells him he needs to come and have his arm x-rayed.
Meanwhile, a thief, posing as an ardent fan in search of an autograph, has stolen Penelope's diamond penguin necklace. That's what all the hub-bub was about. The rest of the concert is cancelled and even though everyone is searched as they leave the grounds there is no sign of the stolen necklace. Given what they saw just before and during intermission, the kids think they have a few clues to follow. Will they be able to get the missing penguin back to Penelope?
This was a fun chapter-book mystery. The plot isn't terribly complicated, but I didn't expect it to be. Also unexpected was the nifty map of the small town where Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose live that can be found at the front of the book. Very cute and reminiscent of Golden Age mystery maps. It would have been even more so if it had been specifically of the Bushnell Park area where the mystery takes place. I also enjoyed the way the kids reasoned their way through the clues. A very nicely plotted mystery for the intended age group and I would expect kids to enjoy it even more than I did. ★★★
First line: "I'm not dressing like a penguin and you can't make me!" Josh said.
Last lines: Penelope gave him a kiss. then she kissed Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose.
