Crime Solver's Detective Agency

The Beginning, Book 1

By: Victoria Schwimley

Narrated by: Stefanie Paige

Length: 2 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Meet Karrine, a clever, witty twelve-year-old with her own detective agency. "No job is too big" is her motto. In "Dognapped", Karrine scours the city to find the beloved stolen pet of a kind older woman. In the "Magical Disappearing Act", a magician’s assistant disappears, and it’s up to Karrine to solve the mystery. In "The Painted Ponies", Karrine, along with her quirky cousin, Jayden, who has come for a summer visit, must discover who would want to paint all the ponies in Mr. Jackson’s stable. I our final story, "The Body", Karrine will face her biggest challenge yet as she mishandles a murder investigation. Can she recover her dignity and solve the crime, before all the clues go cold.

©2014 Victoria Schwimley (P)2014 Victoria Schwimley

Crime Solver's Detective Agency

Would you consider the audio edition of Crime Solver's Detective Agency to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Magical Disappearing Act was my daughter's favorite mystery. She liked that it ended up being a prank but didn't see it coming.

What does Stefanie Paige bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

We were able to enjoy the book while traveling.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Although we listened to the entire book in one day (2 sittings), it would have worked well to have listened to one mystery at a time. My daughter (8) would probably have enjoyed it more if we had broken it down.

Any additional comments?

My daughter has recently become interested in mysteries and enjoyed trying to figure out the mysteries. We enjoyed the story and the narration. I wondered whether the talk of dead bodies and autopsies in the last story, The Body, would disturb her with the but it didn't seem to.

Really enjoyed the story

Victoria Schumley is becoming one of my favorite authors. The stories she writes are amazing, and this one is no exception.
The only thing I can say bad about this is the narrator - I could hear a lot of back ground noise, paper wrestling around and loud whispers, like some one was reading the book to the narrator.

Great read for a tweener

Would you listen to Crime Solver's Detective Agency again? Why?

My daughter age 10 read it and really enjoyed it. She said she would read it again.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I gave the story only 3 stars because I found a few things too stereotypical for an older child to enjoy, The voices were not that of a 12 year old, and there were too many unrealistic scenarios in the mysteries. I was a little confused about the "dead Kid" in the 4th story.

What aspect of Stefanie Paige’s performance would you have changed?

I would have made the voices not so squeaky. I did enjoy her adult voices though.

Great for the younger crowd! Best for ages 7-8.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

My 7 year old daughter LOVED this! We listened to it on a road trip last weekend. She was thrilled with the first story about the missing dogs.

What aspect of Stefanie Paige’s performance would you have changed?

My boys who were listening (ages 12 and 14) did not like the high pitched squeaking that occurred from the narrator at various times in the story.

Any additional comments?

My daughter loves mysteries and would love to hear more from this author.

well read

Would you listen to Crime Solver's Detective Agency again? Why?

I think this book was meant for someone a little younger then i am. The first story i thought was cute, but after that, I got tired of the prattle of a young girl.

Amazing Read!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would recommend this audiobook to a friend because it is enjoyable for children and their parents.

What about Stefanie Paige’s performance did you like?

I loved her voices. I fell like she can play any age.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laugh at times yes.

Book 1

What was one of the most memorable moments of Crime Solver's Detective Agency?

This was an entertaining audio book. Karrine, the twelve-year-old crime detective, is a really cool character! Perfect for young readers.

A great start to a new kid’s series

The Beginning (Crime Solver's Detective Agency #1)
By Victoria Schwimley

The Beginning is a great start to a new kid’s series. I listened to this with my 6th-grade daughter and she liked it too. This reminds me a bit of the Nancy Drew Mystery series I read as a child. The writing was age appropriate and written is a way to keep the young reader's attention. I loved the emotion the narrator expressed in her reading. Overall, I give The Beginning 5 Stars and can’t wait to start book two.

Great kids book

My 6 and 7 year old loved this book! And it was one that I could listen to and not become bore this!!!