By Brittany J. Thurman
Publication Date: 2025
Joy for Books Review Score: 98%
Description from Bookshop.org: Opal Watson, Private Eye introduces an exciting new middle grade mystery series based on the popular original Pinna podcast that feels like a modern-day version of Harriet the Spy.Opal Watson loves being a detective. When her neighbor’s cat goes missing or her grandmother loses her cherished cookbook, Opal is on the case. And there is no mystery she cannot solve.Returning home to Chicago after spending the summer with her Meme Augustine in New Orleans, Opal is nervous to begin school. Despite her parents’ confidence, they worry about her making new friends and dealing with her Retinitis Pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease. When Opal gets paired with a new student, Ivy, to work on their history project together, she is hesitant—after all, she only needs her cousin, Frank, and her best friend, Madison.But school quickly becomes the least of her worries. Madison has heard disturbances in the apartment building she and Opal live in, the Crescent. Renovations are being done, but it’s unclear where the noises are coming from that are upsetting all her neighbors. Even worse, the old building is the target of developers wanting to tear it down. As Opal begins to investigate, she realizes this will be her toughest case yet.Can Opal solve the mystery at the Crescent and save her home? And what hidden truths will she uncover along the way?
Joy for Books reviewer comments: "The author definitely keeps the reader wondering what is next in solving the mystery. Lots of twists and turns which is very engaging. The chapter titles set up the mystery intrigue as well. Love that they are 'detective rules.' The only illustrations are the cover jacket, which is exquisite and very relevant to the story. Definitely a book I'm going to share with my 6th grade grandson!"
By Brittany J. Thurman
Publication Date: 2025
Joy for Books Review Score: 98%
Description from Bookshop.org: Opal Watson, Private Eye introduces an exciting new middle grade mystery series based on the popular original Pinna podcast that feels like a modern-day version of Harriet the Spy.Opal Watson loves being a detective. When her neighbor’s cat goes missing or her grandmother loses her cherished cookbook, Opal is on the case. And there is no mystery she cannot solve.Returning home to Chicago after spending the summer with her Meme Augustine in New Orleans, Opal is nervous to begin school. Despite her parents’ confidence, they worry about her making new friends and dealing with her Retinitis Pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease. When Opal gets paired with a new student, Ivy, to work on their history project together, she is hesitant—after all, she only needs her cousin, Frank, and her best friend, Madison.But school quickly becomes the least of her worries. Madison has heard disturbances in the apartment building she and Opal live in, the Crescent. Renovations are being done, but it’s unclear where the noises are coming from that are upsetting all her neighbors. Even worse, the old building is the target of developers wanting to tear it down. As Opal begins to investigate, she realizes this will be her toughest case yet.Can Opal solve the mystery at the Crescent and save her home? And what hidden truths will she uncover along the way?
Joy for Books reviewer comments: "The author definitely keeps the reader wondering what is next in solving the mystery. Lots of twists and turns which is very engaging. The chapter titles set up the mystery intrigue as well. Love that they are 'detective rules.' The only illustrations are the cover jacket, which is exquisite and very relevant to the story. Definitely a book I'm going to share with my 6th grade grandson!"