The Case of the Absent Answers (Mickie McKinney: Boy Detective Book 1) by R.L. Fink

The Case of the Absent Answers (Mickie McKinney: Boy Detective Book 1) Reviews

• 
  Kasey Dennehy

  This was a great middle-grade read! It reminded me of when tv shows would do a fun noir-style detective episode. I read this whole book in that accent in my head lol. But this was a lot of fun to read. I really hope more people pick this up, because I can easily see this as a fun kid netflix show or movie or something. I also look forward to reading the sequel. I couldn't put this one down and read it in one sitting, not that it's very long, but trust me, it flows together so nicely, you won't want to stop.
• 
  S.S. Saywack

  A lovely, well written Middle-Grade book with the central conceit that it’s written in the hard-boiled Raymond Chandler/Dashiel Hammett detective style. Set in a school, with a plot suitable for the Middle-Grade age group, we follow the adventure of Mickey McKinney, a self-styled detective (a student of the school) who is paid in chocolate bars and solves such remarkable crimes as what’s in the cafeteria’s Meatloaf and who did steal the test papers. The familiar hard-boiled cast is there - the blond (who in this case is neither dumb nor in real need of saving), the villain (a tough student guy bully), and the teachers substituting for the police. Add to that a forensic nerd and you have a well-written book that will make you laugh in places. Whether a Middle-Grade audience will understand the conceit, is probably something else, however, it will not detract from their enjoyment of reading this book. In many ways, it would be a marvellous book to read aloud, and in a suitable dark room for atmosphere. I enjoyed the style, the plot, which is suitable for the younger age group, and the setting. More books are promised in what may become a series, and they will, I am sure, be as enjoyable as this one.
• 
  Cherime MacFarlane

  Picked on a whim
  
  This is a well written kids book. Short I think it's just the right length for an adolescent. It also set out a few themes succinctly and in a manner not at all preachy. Good job.
• 
  Fred Fanning

  The Case of the Absent Answers is an excellent book with a fascinating story. I liked the characters and the young student as a Private Detective. I found the book exciting and, at the same time, entertaining. Great book.
• 
  Henana Berjes

  Remember Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, The Famous Five, and other detective series we grew up reading ..this book, the case of the absent answers, by Ruby fink made me nostalgic. It reminded me of my childhood. Being a crime novel buff, I gobbled up the entire book in one sitting.
  Once you begin reading, you actually don't want to stop.
  It's very well written and the illustrations are really interesting.
  The character development is perfect. I especially liked Burners character.
  The scene where McKinney lands up in the trash can is hilarious and very vivid. The language is fluent and will appeal to youngsters.
  The questions and discussion topics at the end of the book are well thought of and will make for an interesting interactive session.
  I would definitely recommend this book to all middle graders interested in detective series.
• 
  _sassy_39

  "The Case of the Absent Answers" penned by the author R. L. Fink is an intriguing read. It is the first book in the Mickie McKinney: Boy Detective series.
  
  Main character of the story is Mickie McKinney. He is a student of Maple Ridge Middle School. Mickie is a private detective in his school. When a new girl was accused of stealing the history test answers, Mickie was determined to find the truth as she is innocent according to her. A school bully Tommy was humiliated by the new girl. Mickie starts looking for the clues and he also discusses it with Burners.
  
  Read this story and find out what happens next. This is a short and gripping read. One could finish this book in a single sitting. I like the plot of the story and the smooth narrative. Fink has done a great job in this book with the characters, backdrop, etc. I enjoyed reading this book and would like to recommend it to middle grade readers. It is a fun read and the suspense in the story makes it more exciting as you read it.
• 
  The Book

  The synopsis alone….I knew I would enjoy this book!
  
  “Damsel in distress, she was not! What a gal!” Mickie McKinney
  
  I loved the morals the author conveys, of how one should never change, to be true to one’s self, and do the right thing. To not stoop to another’s level and degrade one’s character. The story is colourful and animated. Hannah Edelson slips effortlessly from one character role to another, in this rather quirky and original tale of childhood heroism and integrity. It’s an angle on a genre that reminded me of the classic Mickey Spillane, hard-boiled detective series. I could just imagine a young boy, paid with candy, sat behind his desk, feet up, chewing on a toothpick and peering through the shadow cast by the peak of his ill-fitting fedora, negotiating a deal with a “Damsel in distress”. A fun story of good kids versus the bullies. Brains versus Braun. A must for all fans of children’s fiction.
  We award the story 4 stars.
• 
  gj indieBRAG

  We are proud to announce that THE CASE OF THE ABSENT ANSWERS (Mickie McKinney: Boy Detective Book 1) by R.I. Fink has been honored with the B.R.A.G.Medallion (Book Readers Appreciation Group). It now joins the very select award-winning, reader-recommended books at indieBRAG.
• 
  Brindi Michele

  this was a clean, fun read I think younger boys and girls will enjoy.
• 
  Billy Buttons

  This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
  Title: The Case of the Absent Answers
  Author: R. L. Fink
  
  Star Rating: 4 Stars
  Number of Readers: 15
  Stats
  Editing: 8/10
  Writing Style: 7/10
  Content: 7/10
  Cover: 3/5
  
  Of the 15 readers:
  13 would read another book by this author.
  12 thought the cover was good or excellent.
  15 felt it was easy to follow.
  13 would recommend this book to another reader to try.
  Of all the readers, 8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
  Of all the readers, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
  Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
  12 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
  13 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
  
  Readers’ Comments
  “I liked this mystery book. The beginning was funny when the hero was daydreaming he was a top detective. I had no problems following the story, and I was never bored. The cover was cool too!” Girl, aged 12
  “This is a good mystery for children. I thought it was clever having a detective in school solving a mystery. I didn´t think the plot – nicking test answers – was very original or exciting. But it was still a fun story filled with cool characters. The protagonist reminds me of a boy in my class!” Boy, aged 12
  “Although most children won´t get the Mickey Spillane style, it wasn´t lost on me! Very original. In many ways, adults will GET this book even better than the intended young readership! A fun adventure, not overly taxing, a little predictable here and there, but with a strong second half.” Primary school teacher, aged 56
  “A bit too short for me. I was just getting into it, and it ended! I will try to read another.” Girl, aged 10
  
  To Sum It Up:
  ‘A suspense-filled mystery with a strong ending. A RED RIBBON WINNER and highly recommended!’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
  
  
  The Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2022
  Category 7 (Audiobooks)
  FEEDBACK
  This audiobook was entered in our book awards. This is what our listeners thought:
  Title: The Case of the Absent Answers
  Author: R. L. Fink
  Narrator: Hannah Edelson
  
  Star Rating: 5 Stars
  Number of Listeners: 8
  Stats
  Narrator Performance: 9/10
  Writing Style: 8/10
  Content/Plot: 9/10
  Cover: 5/5
  Sound Quality / Music / Sound Effects: 3/5
  
  Of the 8 listeners:
  8 would listen to another book by this author.
  8 would listen to another book narrated by this performer.
  8 thought the cover was good or excellent.
  8 felt it was easy to follow.
  8 would recommend this audiobook to another listener to try.
  Of all the listeners, 4 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
  Of all the readers, 1 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
  Of all the readers, 3 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘writing style’.
  8 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
  8 thought the author understood the listeners and what they wanted.
  8 thought the narrator understood the listeners and what they wanted.
  
  Listeners’ Comments
  “I enjoy a good mystery story, and this was SUPER GOOD! I liked the writing style, but the plot was the best. Lots of suspense.” Girl, aged 13
  “Hannah is a good narrator. She’s fab at making the story exciting and bringing the characters alive.” Girl, aged 12
  “Cool characters, exciting mystery. It was fun how he’s a PI in a school. The new girl is cool too. I liked how the hero worked things out with a little help. It’s also a bit funny in parts.” Boy, aged 13
  “I’d love to be a kid detective. Fun book, not scary, funny. I liked it a lot.” Boy, aged 13
  
  To Sum It Up:
  ‘A superbly narrated mystery for middle graders. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf