Happy Pub Day! James Ponti is one of our favorite middle grade authors. Sherlock Society is his newest release and the beginning of a new series. Read on!

About the Sherlock Society

In the tradition of Nancy Drew, four kids and one grandfather in Miami tackle a decades-old mystery in this first book in the action-packed and funny Sherlock Society middle grade series from New York Times bestselling, Edgar Award–winning author James Ponti!

Siblings Alex and Zoe Sherlock take their last name as inspiration when choosing a summer job. After all, starting a detective agency has to be better than babysitting (boring), lawn mowing (sweaty), or cleaning out the attic (boring andsweaty). Their friends Lina, an avid bookworm, and Yadi, an aspiring cinematographer, join the enterprise, and Alex and Zoe’s retired reporter grandfather offers up his sweet aquamarine Cadillac convertible and storage unit full of cold cases.

The group’s first target is the long-lost treasure supposedly hidden near their hometown Miami. Their investigation into the local doings of famed gangster Al Capone leads them to a remote island in the middle of the Everglades where they find alarming evidence hinting at corporate corruption.

Together with Grandpa’s know-how and the kids’ intelligence—plus some really slick gadgets—can the Sherlock Society root out the conspiracy?

Reviews for Sherlock Society

“An environmental mystery featuring lots of clever detecting, a bit of danger, and real felonies to investigate.” — –Kirkus Reviews

“With an eye for atmosphere, history, and lively humor, Ponti brings the South Florida setting, as well as its quick-witted inhabitants, to vivid life, making for a worthy successor to classic kid mysteries that’s entertaining, educational, and exciting.” — –Publishers Weekly

My Thoughts

With these highly relatable and fantastic characters, the story is never boring. We especially loved the generational connection between Grandpa and the kids. Sprinkled with humor and plenty of action, the pages will turn themselves. James Pointi is a natural middle-grade storyteller who weaves a story that is both inspirational and diverse. You’ll soon see why he’s a favorite of ours!  

About the Author

His books have appeared on more than fifteen different state award lists, and he is the founder of a writers group known as the Renegades of Middle Grade. James is also an Emmy–nominated television writer and producer who has worked for many networks including Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, PBS, History, and Spike TV, as well as NBC Sports. He lives with his family in Orlando, Florida.

Find out more on his website.

Check out the Author’s Tour below. Will James be near you?

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Author’s Tour for The Sherlock Society

09.03.24 at 7:00pm ET

Books & Books (Coral Gables, FL) In conversation with Christina Diaz Gonzalez

09.05.24 at 4:00pm ET

Bookmarks (Winston-Salem, NC)

09.06.24 at 6:30pm ET

Barnes & Noble (Fairfax, VA) In conversation with Ellen Oh and Hena Khan

09.07.24 at 12:00pm ET

Belmont Books (Belmont, MA) In conversation with Jarrett Lerner and Lisa Yee

09.08.24 at 1:00pm ET

Barnes & Noble Upper West Side (New York, NY) In conversation with Chris Grabenstein and Gayle Forman

09.09.24 at 7:00pm CT

Anderson’s (Naperville, IL) In conversation with Liesl Shurtliff

09.10.24 at 6:30pm CT

St. Louis Public Library (St. Louis, MO) In conversation with Soman Chainani and Natalie Lloyd

09.11.24 at 6:00pm PT

Queen Anne (Seattle, WA) In conversation with Donna Barba Higuera and Jewell Parker Rhodes

09.12.24 at 6:00pm PT

Hicklebee’s (San Jose, CA) In conversation with Misa Sugiura

09.13.24 at 7:00pm PT

Sparr Heights Community Center (Los Angeles, CA) In conversation with Julie Buxbaum, Max Brallier, Sarah Mlynowski, and Stuart Gibbs

09.14.24 at 11:00am PT

{pages} (Manhattan Beach, CA) In conversation with Stuart Gibbs

09.21.24 at 1:00pm ET

Barnes & Noble Colonial Plaza MarketCenter (Orlando, FL) In conversation with Jerry Craft