South by Southeast (Diamond Brothers Mystery Series #3) by Anthony Horowitz

From the Publisher

Tim Diamond, the world’s worst private detective, is broke—as his muchsmarter younger brother Nick is quick to remind him. So when a mysterious stranger offers Tim a wad of cash for his overcoat, it seems like a stroke of good luck. But there are worse things in life than being broke. Being pumped full of lead, for one—which is what happens to the stranger, and could soon be the fate of the Diamond brothers, too, unless they can outwit the unknown assassin on their tail. . . .

This latest adventure by New York Times bestselling writer Anthony Horowitz will have mystery lovers laughing out loud as they help solve another Diamond Brothers caper.

Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D. - Children's Literature

Tim Diamond, the world's most dimwitted private detective, is broke. Although he has applied for numerous jobs (none of which he is qualified for), he has a drawer full of rejection letters and no prospects. Fortunately, Nick, his brainy thirteen-year-old brother is his partner and often his savior. When Mr. McGruffin appears in their shabby office, they are surprised to see he has a gun. Even more shocking, a bullet flies through the window narrowly missing them. Since their telephone service has been cut off, McGruffin goes around the corner to a telephone booth. The murderer is successful in killing him there and Tim alone hears his dying words. He, of course, gets them wrong, but the Diamond Brothers are immediately launched into the middle of an international and deadly mystery. Many attempts are made on their lives as they travel through England and into The Netherlands searching for the elusive Charon, the mastermind behind the plot to kill a Russian diplomat. Varied twists and turns in the active, mostly implausible plot, and a constant stream of subtle jokes and word play, create a humorous fast-paced page-turner. An enjoyable, quick read for all ages. This title is part of the "Diamond Brothers Mysteries" series. 2005, Philomel/Penguin, Ages 10 to 14.

School Library Journal

Gr 5-9-Horowitz has created another well-written, well-paced spy melodrama. This fifth addition to the series will engage readers with its hilarious, nonstop story line. Tim Diamond, the world's worst detective, has few cases to solve, so he and his younger brother, Nick, are destitute until a stranger offers Tim a fistful of much-needed cash in exchange for his raincoat. With the stranger's violent death, Tim and Nick find themselves dealing with disbelieving police and people claiming to be government agents. The brothers have a multitude of hair-raising adventures, including one in which they are chased by a small plane in a scene reminiscent of Hitchcock's classic film North by Northwest (hence the book's title). The story ends as the sibs meet the chief villain on a village fair's Tunnel of Love ride. Tim is likable but clueless, and Nick, the narrator, the true brains behind their act.-Alice DiNizo, Plainfield Public Schools, NJ Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Product Details

• ISBN: 0142403741
  
• ISBN-13: 9780142403747
• Format: Paperback, 160pp
• Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
• Pub. Date: September 2005
• Sales Rank: 9,510
• Age Range: Young Adult
• Series: Diamond Brothers Mystery Series, #3

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents