The Case of the Burned Canvas


Children - Mystery
194 Pages
Reviewed on 05/08/2024
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Alex Ndirangu for Readers' Favorite

In Angela D. Moss' The Case of the Burned Canvas, thirteen-year-old Morgan Draca and her best friends, Melanie and Sara, embark on a fabulous birthday trip to Chicago. All those sandy shores, amusement parks, fountains, cool sculptures, and monuments—the three friends have nothing but fun—except there's one big problem. It all started when Morgan helped stop a master criminal from stealing a painting in Pittsburgh. Zinnia Grey is a high-ranking member of a counterfeit ring that has replicated and distributed the world's finest paintings for over a decade. Things start getting strange at the Art Institute Museum when the girls discover abandoned papers with a list of buildings, times, and locations, a map of the museum with circled galleries, and articles about a major international conspiracy. When valuable paintings are found at a fire-ravaged warehouse and beside them a canvas with information on Zinnia and locations similar to those in the papers, Morgan dives into solving the case. But it's a dangerous world where the criminals operate outside law enforcement surveillance. How will Morgan take them on?
 
Angela D. Moss had me spellbound! The descriptions grab you, and the plot picks up, seamlessly drawing you in with ever-growing suspense, intrigue, and characters so real that they evoke emotions. I could feel Morgan's fear that Zinnia could get out of prison and relate to Maya's worry that her little girl's taste for solving mysteries would lead her to something more dangerous. I loved that there were several informative moments interspersed throughout the story. Did you know that some counterfeiters actually learn to paint in the master's style and then create a completely new work in their style so they can claim that it was previously unknown? If you love fun yet educational investigative thrillers, check out The Case of the Burned Canvas. It's worthwhile and gripping with immersive action, young, adventurous brainiac minds, and thought-provoking themes for both young and older readers.

Afifa Raisa

The Case of the Burned Canvas by Angela D. Moss tells the story of Morgan Draca, a young girl who is in Chicago with her mother and two best friends to celebrate her thirteenth birthday. Morgan smells mystery when her friend finds a schedule and some articles on the trial of Zinnia Gray, the first criminal she dealt with, in an unusual place. When a fire takes place in a warehouse close to them, Morgan discovers a burned canvas with the same schedule, which leads her deeper into the case. A group of counterfeiters is involved, and if they do not get caught, Zinnia Gray will be acquitted. Morgan wants to solve the case at any cost, but her mother does not want her to be a part of it. With the conflict threatening their bond, she must find a way to bring the criminals to justice as soon as possible.

Angela D. Moss’ The Case of the Burned Canvas is a great pick, especially for young readers who are new to the world of detective fiction. The story is easy to follow, and it will keep the reader glued to the book without overwhelming them. Angela beautifully shows how genuine love and concern can sometimes cause disputes in a relationship and how the bond can survive through effective communication despite the challenges. Another great aspect of the book is the amount of information that the reader will learn about art and history by following the conversations of the characters. I would recommend this book to readers aged ten to twelve.

Jennifer Ibiam

The Case Of The Burned Canvas by Angela D. Moss follows Morgan’s investigation of the duplicity in the art world. It was Morgan’s birthday, and her mother (Maya) booked a girls-only extended adventure weekend to Chicago. Morgan traveled with her best friends, Melanie and Sara, on what was supposed to be a fun trip. However, Morgan became disturbed when she discovered that the artwork counterfeiter, whom she had stopped in Pittsburgh, had connections in Chicago. A bold art counterfeiting ring was passing off copies as the real thing to unsuspecting buyers. Morgan tackled the case and searched for answers even as she found clues in unlikely places. Suspects appeared disguised as friends, and enemies hid in plain sight. Will Morgan be able to stop the counterfeiters before they do irreversible damage?

The art world is worth billions. The Case Of The Burned Canvas by Angela D. Moss got my attention, especially with a thirteen-year-old girl as the star. This story is so gripping that it will captivate lovers of crime, adventure, and investigative stories. I loved the plot and development of the characters, especially Morgan in a brilliant teen role. I enjoyed the tidbits of history and architectural lessons from Maya. The relationship Maya had with Morgan was also relatable and beautiful to see. I hope to read about more cases solved by Morgan.