Detective Dylan and the Hunt for Home Plate

A Youth Sleuths Chapter Book Series

Children - Mystery
82 Pages
Reviewed on 02/01/2024
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

In MJ Murray’s Detective Dylan and the Hunt for Home Plate, Dylan and Emily are amateur sleuths. Well, mostly Dylan, but his sister is always at his side ready to help. And it’s a good thing too because when the kids take on another mystery, this one involving the missing bases from the baseball field, they have to keep a keen eye on everyone in the park and what they’re doing. There are clues to follow, some discarded candy wrappings for one thing, and some mysterious children playing pirates. But will they be astute enough to solve the mystery before it’s too late to play their ball game?

MJ Murray’s early chapter book, Detective Dylan and the Hunt for Home Plate, is a great story to inspire youngsters to read. The plot follows Dylan and his sister, Emily, (as well as their dog, Theodore) as they venture to the local park to play baseball. The discovery of the missing bases starts the ball rolling (no pun intended) and the amateur sleuths are very intent on solving the mystery. The dialogue is used well to develop the characters and move the plot forward. The language is simple to encourage and help young readers improve their reading skills. The black-and-white drawings add an interesting dimension to the unfolding plot. The characters (and young readers) must use their skills at creative deduction to solve the mystery. Each step of the way, they discuss their findings and reason which way they should turn next. A fun and engaging read.