The Dead Man in Indian Creek

April 29, 1991
Matt discovers a corpse and is convinced that his mother's boyfriend is somehow involved; in PW 's words, ``A combination of crackling language and plenty of suspense, this fast-paced yarn is likely to appeal to even the most reluctant readers.'' Ages 8-12.

March 1, 1990
Matt would like nothing more than to forget the corpse that he and his best friend Parker found in Indian Creek. But Parker is convinced that his mother's new boyfriend, Mr. Evans, has something to do with the dead man's death. Against his better judgment, Matt accompanies Parker on an investigation of Evans's antique store, where the boys unearth evidence that Evans is involved in a cocaine ring. But before the pair can report their findings to the police, gang members are hot on their trail. Thus begins a hair-raising chase that winds through the town's Halloween parade and finishes in the boys' secret hideout. Thanks to the help of a classmate and the dubious efforts of two bratty kid sisters, Parker and Matt outwit the villains and bring them to justice. A combination of crackling language and plenty of suspense, this fast-paced yarn is likely to appeal to even the most reluctant readers. Ages 9-13.

January 1, 1990
Twelve-year-old Matt and his best friend, Parker, find a body in a creek while camping out in the woods. The story, involving a case of cocaine trafficking, is full of fast-moving action; the main characters are well drawn.

(Copyright 1990 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

April 1, 1990
Gr 5-7 -Parker and Matt decide to camp out one last time before the weather turns too cold-and stumble upon a dead man. Parker swears he saw George Evans (his widowed mother's boyfriend and his least favorite person) at the scene of the crime. So begins a bumpy, peril-laden adventure. The boys spy out a cocaine ring in which Parker's mother and George are involved; a thug kidnaps everyone. Rescue comes when Parker's dog corners the thug and Matt's little sister pushes a doll carriage with a cocaine-packed doll through a Halloween parade into the police station. There's more than enough action, and Hahn's effortless mastery of kids' dialogue makes this an easy read. But there are illogical gaps: Why is Parker's mother, previously loving, so remote? How likely is it that 12-year-olds go camping alone? Why is it that Matt's flagging self-image shows little repair after such heroics? At the conclusion, when all of the drug traffickers are apprehended and Parker's mother is hospitalized and awaiting charges, Matt assures Parker: "Whatever happens, my mom says you're staying with us." Readers will find this less than reassuring. With the abundance of good juvenile who-done-its available, this one is dead in the water. -Carolyn Noah, Worcester Public Library, MA