“My briefcase is locked, and I can’t find the key,” said Lew.
Larry grinned. “I’ve got this covered.” He popped open the briefcase and tilted it. Some foil sandwich wrap with a streak of mustard on it fell out. So did a leash.
“Well, look at that,” said Larry.
Max picked up the sandwich wrap and the leash and turned to Rhonda. “Your dog was too busy eating the sandwich to bark. That also made it easier to lead him away with this leash.”
Max turned to Lew. “Mr. Jacobs, you’re definitely the one who played this trick on Miss Remington.”
Lew hung his head. He looked truly sorry for what he’d done. “It was a horrible thing to do to you, Rhonda, but I’ve lost a ton of money. My gambling’s gotten out of hand, and I was desperate! When I heard that you were telling this story, I made a plan to bring a rabbit and switch the animals. I’m really, really sorry.”
Rhonda patted Lew on the back. “It was a terrible thing to do, Lew. But if you tell me where my dog is, I’ll forgive you.”
Lew gave her a little smile. “He’s in my car. Safe and sound.”
As everyone walked back into Waldon Hall, Larry gave Max a wink and a big thumbs-up.
CONGRATULATIONS
Because of everything that had happened, the Hall of Fame committee decided to cancel that night’s ceremony. They would hold a second competition with new judges to give Rhonda and Nella a fair chance.
Over the next week, Grandpa Harry, Max and Larry each read a Rhonda Remington mystery while they waited to hear who the winner would be.
When the night of the competition rolled around, Rhonda called to give Max the scoop. She had been chosen for the Mystery Hall of Fame!
“I couldn’t have done it without you, Max,” Rhonda told him. “Thank you for all your help.”
“Congratulations, Miss Remington!” said Max. “I knew you could do it.”
Max shared the good news with Harry and Larry. They celebrated with a fresh box of Mighty Moe’s Donuts!
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
Detectives have to be observant. Can you find five differences between these two pictures?
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
CLICK FOR ANSWERS TO SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
EVERYONE LOVES THE GHOST AND MAX MONROE!
Praise for Case #1
“A ghostly (but not scary) new chapter-book mystery series kicks off … Falcone keeps readers guessing and pages turning with humorous dialogue and a quickly paced plot.” — Kirkus Reviews
“This beginning chapter book will engage youngsters who like mysteries mixed with silly characters.” — School Library Journal
Praise for Case #2
“Falcone crafts a compelling mystery title just right for newly independent readers … Introduce Max to budding detectives or children who like to laugh as they read.” — Kirkus Reviews
“The solid mystery, complete with clues, red herrings and several suspects, is paired with humorous dialogue, chuckle-worthy puns and clever asides.” — School Library Journal
The Ghost and Max Monroe Case #1: The Magic Box
L. M. Falcone
HC 978-1-77138-153-6
$12.95 US • $12.95 CDN
PB 978-1-77138-017-1
$6.95 US • $6.95 CDN
The Ghost and Max Monroe Case #2: The Missing Zucchini
L. M. Falcone
HC 978-1-77138-154-3
$12.95 US • $12.95 CDN
PB 978-1-77138-018-8
$6.95 US • $6.95 CDN
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
L. M. Falcone is an award-winning author who loved mystery books so much that she became a private investigator. She has also worked as a writer for Nickelodeon TV. Her books include the middle-grade chillers Walking with the Dead, The Midnight Curse and The Devil, the Banshee and Me. She lives in Toronto, Ontario.
www.kidscanpress.com
ANSWERS TO SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
1. Harry’s eyebrows are missing.
2. The windowpanes are gone.
3. The soda bottle on the right has a different label.
4. Max’s teeth are missing.
5. Larry’s flashlight is gone.
The Dirty Trick Page 4