Vicki Silver: The Stolen Gem -- by Alissa Wood

I grew up on the Hardy boys and liked Nancy Drew even better when I read her books to my two kids, so I was overjoyed to read on the back cover how author Alisa Wood began writing “The Stolen Gem” at the age of 14 and by the time she graduated from high school had completed seven in the series. Wow! If this novel is any indication she has real talent as a mystery writer, handling dialogue, action and the interplay among characters with the sophistication of someone twice her age. And she has one incredible advantage over them. She not only knows her audience, she was a recent member of the age group she is targeting.

That said, this saga steams forward on plot action rather than character development or atmospheric setting. We have a good idea of the thief a third of the way through and there aren’t many surprises as far as a “mystery” goes. Typically it’s, “Everyone split up and look for clues.” Oh, there are a few red herrings, but I wish Alyssa had taken a bit more time with her heroine’s attorney parents—she describes Vicki and her older sister’s home life by saying, “The way their parents ruled the household was to turn everything into an argument, a legal argument, and ‘to the victor go the spoils.’” Now that is original and would be fun for the reader to experience first hand.

I have to say that I was caught up in Vicki Silver’s enthusiasm and “can do” attitude. This is also one series in which girls know how to handle themselves in a fight. I even liked her over-the-top, foot steps in the shadows, paranoia. The major problem these undercover teen-aged sleuths face is that grown-ups, such as the police, don’t believe them. There is a slight switch in Chapter 2 away from Vicki’s 3rd person point of view to get some information across to the reader, but I don’t think most readers would even notice; and what a good climax this story has! Two other things I particularly liked were ending the book with the friends going to a clichéd, male-hero action film (nice contrast) and the dedication, which includes many of the author’s English teachers. They have a lot to be proud of. And the advice she follows--to base fictional characters on real people—serves her well.

Keep them coming, Alissa. Meanwhile I’ll look for Vicki, CJ, Joe and Justin at the Ultimate Pizza. I know another mystery awaits them. Next time we adults will be paying more attention.