about the book
Edmund Xavier Lonnrot—or Eddie Red, for short—is your average sixth grader. He loves to play videogames with his best friend, and he forgets how words work when the cute girl at school talks to him. However, Eddie does have incredible artistic skills and a photographic memory, which set him apart from the other kids his age.
After Eddie Red witnesses a crime, he uses his special talents to perfectly draw what he had seen. When Detective Bovano of the New York Police Department learns about Eddie’s gift, he asks him to join forces with the police to help catch the dangerous art thieves who have been stealing from galleries on the Museum Mile. After all, Eddie can remember exactly what members of the Picasso Gang look like, so even when they are in disguise, Eddie has the skills to identify them.
Along the way, Eddie learns that life as a detective isn’t like it is in the movies. Tasers don’t work like they do on the silver screen, and stakeouts sure get boring after a while. He also learns another tough lesson the hard way—when you aren’t careful around dangerous criminal masterminds, you may wind up all tied up!
about the author
Marcia Wells holds a Master’s degree in Spanish Literature, and for the past fifteen years she has worked as a Spanish and math teacher for middle and high school students.
Marcia was inspired to create the Eddie Red Undercover series while teaching her AP Spanish Literature students about Argentinean detective tales. One day, BOOM! Eddie just popped into Marcia’s brain and he wouldn’t go away until she wrote about him!
When she is not teaching or dreaming up new adventures for Eddie Red, Marcia enjoys visiting her relatives in New York City. She currently lives in Vermont with her husband, children, and their farm animals.
Sources:
Author website
Author interview: Middle Grade Mafia
Also by Marcia Wells:
Doom at Grant’s Tomb (Eddie Red Undercover, Book 3). HMH Books for Young Readers. 2016.
Mystery in Mayan Mexico (Eddie Red Undercover, Book 2). HMH Books for Young Readers. 2015.
read more!
Closed for the Season : A Mystery Story by Mary Downing Hahn
When thirteen-year-old Logan moves into a run-down house, he’s surprised to learn from his quirky neighbor, Arthur, that Myrtle Donaldson, the old owner had been murdered there. Myrtle had been accused of stealing money. Convinced she was wrongly accused, Arthur wants Logan’s help in clearing her name. The murderer is still out there. This investigation is going to be dangerous!
Isabel Feeney, Star Reporter by Beth Fantaskey
As she spends her days selling newspapers on the corner, Isabel Feeney dreams of becoming a reporter for the Chicago Tribune. Headlines about dangerous gangsters fly left and right, and when Isabel finds herself witnessing a murder, she is thrilled to be right in the action alongside her journalist hero, Maude Collier!
Mystery in Mayan Mexico (Eddie Red Undercover, Book 2) by Marcia Wells
Eddie is on a family vacation in Mexico when his father is suddenly accused of a serious crime, which leads to an even bigger mystery. Now it is up to Eddie to use his artistic skill and photographic memory to save the day. Along the way, he will have to deal with ghosts, icky stomach bugs, and pyramid-top battles to clear his father’s name!