Reviewed by Alice H. for Readers' Favorite

In "Charlie's Hoot", author H. Trussell Pyle introduces us to Charlie, a teenage boy with a man-sized brain which he directs towards computer espionage. Charlie is in the game for excitement and money. He is supported by his mother who works at the Dairy Queen and he has hopes of providing a better life for himself and his mother by inadvertently producing computer favors for a drug runner named Jumper. Enter Jumper's sister who is a Sister (a nun) who is really a spy trying to catch drug dealers under the guise of a pleasure boat captain. Enter a newspaper reporter and the local police who appear about a step behind Jumper, Sister and Charlie in their chase to catch the drug dealers with questionable assistance from Charlie and Sister.

Other than Jumper, most of the characters in the novel are quite likeable. Sister is probably the most elusive as it is very difficult for the reader to identify with her motives and her inner battles. The police chief comes across as honorable although a bit slow on the draw with regard to what is going on around him. Although it is not a top-notch suspense novel, the author does a most credible job of weaving his story and developing his characters. The ending is probably predictable for most readers skilled in attempting to outthink the cyber sleuth and the local cops. But, all in all, this is a fun read.