Review by Booklist Review
Though very much heartbroken over the death of her uncle Will, Chloe Alvarez is cheered by his parting gift to her: an African gray parrot named Charlie. Charlie provides a welcome distraction from her grief, whether by perching on Chloe's shoulder or commanding Alexa to play music ranging from Stevie Wonder to Kiss. But when Charlie starts saying things like "homicide," "skull," and "cyanide," Chloe begins to think that Uncle Will might not have died from a rare genetic disease like they thought; he just may have been murdered. Chloe launches an investigation, taking tips from her grandmother's favorite true-crime podcast, and roping in family members to help with stakeouts and evidence collection. Many surprising things are revealed as the Alvarez clan digs for clues, and it's an utter--and often hilarious--delight to watch them. Tubb does a wonderful job of mixing levity with the grieving process in all its complexity to ensure the narrative never becomes too heavy. While solving the murder is Chloe's priority, she is also involved in soccer and making art in a way that adds dimension to her character. Amid the investigative antics and hustle of daily life, familial love emerges as the linchpin of the story, echoing Uncle Will's unwavering belief that "family is wondrous," in spite of its imperfections.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Contemporary Charleston, S.C., provides the backdrop for this cunning mystery by Tubb (Luna Howls at the Moon), in which a grieving tween's often laugh-aloud misadventures in detective work bring her estranged family closer together. Chloe Alvarez is left reeling by her beloved uncle Will's sudden death from a genetic disease. Inheriting his female African gray parrot, named Charlie, provides welcome distraction and joy, especially as Chloe has been harboring feelings of anger and betrayal toward Uncle Will, who shut her out of his life as his health was failing. But when Charlie begins spouting phrases such as "it was murder," "homicide detective," and "cyanide!" Chloe uses the skills she learned from her Grammy's true crime podcasts to initiate a murder investigation. A growing suspect list soon includes her wealthy uncle Frank, Will's knife-wielding barista ex-girlfriend, and whomever drives the mysterious yellow Prius that keeps following Chloe around town. Throughout, Chloe processes her grief by recording video journals about her memories of Uncle Will and expressing herself via painting. Typical genre tropes are subverted in delightful ways; rather than solve this harrowing mystery alone, Chloe leans on her family (and Charlie), who tirelessly support her sleuthing antics. Characters are intersectionally diverse. Ages 8--12. Agent: Josh Adams, Adams Literary. (July)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
"Grief can make your mind and your heart do weird things." Since the untimely death of Will Calhoun, her beloved maternal uncle, due to an unspecified genetic condition, Chloe Alvarez's world has felt muted. In his will, Chloe's uncle leaves her Charlie, his beloved African Grey parrot who possesses a robust vocabulary and is a skillful mimic. When Charlie starts blurting out words such as homicide and cyanide, Chloe becomes convinced that something--or someone--sinister is behind Uncle Will's sudden demise. She channels her grief into uncovering the truth of her uncle's colorful life with help from older brother Jacob, Grammy (who loves true-crime podcasts), and Charlie himself. As Uncle Will said, "Family is wondrous"--and these folks are birds of a feather. Chloe's lively narrative voice infuses the plucky kid detective trope with emotional range and depth. Charlie's avian antics provide welcome comic relief, supporting a lovable, laugh-filled harmony that unites a grieving family. The winking references to classic mysteries and Charlie's eclectic musical tastes (which are satisfied through his Alexa requests) will delight kids and adults alike. The antics of Chloe and her ragtag band of sleuths as they progress through multilayered steps on the path to realization will keep readers enthusiastically engaged. Chloe and Jacob live in Charleston, South Carolina, with their mom, whose family is cued white. A mystery unfolds within a compelling, joyful story of honoring a loved one by living in the moment. (author's note) (Mystery. 9-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
