The Broom Closet Detectives Childrfen's Books

Welcome to the home of The Broom
Closet Detectives. Join Kenneth Rafferty, Jeff Monroe and Amy
Windship as they attempt to open a detective agency. Their cases
are full of humor, adventure and, of course mystery. Kenneth,
better known as Rafferty, has some pretty far out ideas. Jeff, his
partner, is concerned about the agency’s image. And Amy . . .
well Amy and the stray dog somehow mysteriously find
themselves on the detective team shortly after the agency opens.

WHAT MAKES THIS MYSTERY BOOK DIFFERENT THAN
OTHER MYSTERIES FOR CHILDREN? The cast of characters
make this a little different than other mystery books. A girl,
two boys and a stray dog all bring different personalities to
the detective agency. The mystery will always go
hand-in-hand with humor and fun.

WHY ADD THE GIRL AND DOG TO THE ORIGINAL TEAM OF
TWO BOYS? Adding extra characters adds extra view
points to the stories. They all have to work together to
create a successful team. And working together can
sometimes prove to be challenging. I also think by having
the "team" of detectives, the books will appeal to both boys
and girls.

DOES THIS SERIES OFFER ANYTHING OTHER THAN
MYSTERIES? Again, I think the book offers humor and fun.
But perhaps even more meaningful is the fact that the
members of the agency have completely different
personalities and learn to work together as a team, which is
always a good example for the reader.

MANY OF THE MYSTERIES DON'T SEEM TO BE TOTALLY
BELIEVABLE. DO YOU THINK THIS HARMS THE STORY? I
think most readers pick up a book to escape reality for a
little while. The stories aren't so non-believable that they
destroy the mystery, but they are fun, escapes into
storybook-land. The reader can laugh with the silly cast of
characters and try to solve the mysteries along with the
detectives.

WILL THE LACK OF TOTAL REALITY HARM THE READER'S
CHANCE TO SOLVE THE MYSTERIES? Absolutely not! Each
mystery is geared to children and their ability to solve
puzzles. I think the mysteries are quite fun and each one can
possibly be solved by the reader.

The Broom Closet Detectives is a delightful set of
mysteries that are perfect for reading aloud or
reading during a single sitting. These are great
beginning mysteries that will prime kids for later
more in-depth mysteries such as Nancy Drew,
Hardy Boys and Boxcar Children. I can see kids
taking off and starting their own mystery “agencies”
using their own secret messages, etc. What fun!

Elementary Library Clerk and mystery connoisseur
of over 45 years!

The Broom Closet Detectives is a very engaging
and entertaining book. My third grade students
became attached to the characters as we read the
book as a class. Each chapter has mini mysteries
for the characters to solve. This is a great book as
an out loud read, but is equally good when read
independently.

E. Mitchell, Third Grade Teacher