If your kid hasn't read the first 17 books, don't start here—you’ll be lost. But as a series closer, it’s a masterclass in middle-grade noir.
Van Draanen doesn't pull punches. Sammy gets hurt, things get scary, and the 'bad guys' aren't just cartoon villains. It’s smart, fast-paced, and holds up surprisingly well even a decade after its release.
It’s rare to find a series that grows with its audience, but Sammy Keyes managed it. This is a solid, satisfying 'Kiss Goodbye' to one of the best detectives in the genre.






