Hurricane Heist by James Ponti

These covers always confuse me a little. I want to say The Sherlock Society: Hurricane Heist every time I see one — and I get that this is the best way to market any series novel aimed specifically at children — but the fact that the series name is so large in comparison with the actual title always throws me off. It even keeps me from fully appreciating how terrific the art is on the cover, which is a pity since Yaoyao Ma Van As captures the vibe of this Florida-set mystery perfectly.

And that’s pretty much the only complaint I have about this entertaining book, the second in James Ponti’s latest mystery-adventure series for children. Written as an homage to his Florida home, this latest installment follows Alex, Zoe, Yadi and Lina as they prepare for Hurricane Clyde… and work to solve a decades-old mystery uncovered in its aftermath.

Alex is feeling a little bummed that summer is coming to a close and his Sherlock Society has only solved one case, to little acclaim. But Al Capone’s millions are still hidden somewhere in the state, and maybe he and the gang can find the money before Hurricane Clyde hits. Lina, having recently moved to Florida from Wisconsin, is especially nervous about the incoming storm, as everyone prepares to ride it out.

Fortunately, the Sherlock Society and their loved ones get through the bad weather relatively unscathed. The same can’t be said for the glamorous Moroccan Hotel. Part of the pool construction crumbles, revealing a body that’s been buried there for over sixty years, ever since the night Hurricane Cleo made landfall. Alex’s grandpa Peter knows this because he was there that day, as an eleven year-old delivering last minute supplies with his dad, who owned a hardware store. He didn’t see the murder or the body but he’s pretty sure he knows who it is, as the case has been troubling him ever since he learned about it.

At the time of Peter’s visit, the Moroccan had been hosting a film crew for a heist movie. With the hurricane incoming, the creative minds behind the film decided to incorporate the bad weather into the proceedings. What they hadn’t accounted for, however, was someone using the storm as cover to steal the valuable artwork and jewels that the director had insisted on using for the sake of verisimilitude.

It seemed like an open-and-shut case, as hotel Bell Captain Ignacio “Doc” Gonzalez had disappeared at the same time the theft was discovered. Peter, however, had been certain that Doc would never have stolen the items, and certainly not fled the country as people claimed. The present-day discovery of Doc’s body vindicates Peter’s belief, as he and the rest of the Sherlock Society decide to take on the case to see who really stole the valuables and let poor Doc take the fall.

As this is a middle grade novel, everything stays age-appropriate/PG-rated without shying away from difficult subjects like segregation and how much to trust the feds. There are theories aplenty as the members of the Sherlock Society methodically examine all the clues and suspects, and come up with rational reasons for and against each theory. There’s also a little personal drama, and tons of engrossing facts about heists and Southern Florida.

I’ve loved all the James Ponti books I’ve read so far, and would’ve absolutely devoured them even more enthusiastically as a kid than I do as an adult. They’re smart and funny, with realistic characters engaged in the kind of adventures I’ve always wanted to go on myself. This is only the latest in a terrific oeuvre, and one I recommend whole-heartedly to any reader who loves a clever mystery with heart.

Hurricane Heist by James Ponti was published today September 2 2025 by Aladdin and is available from all good booksellers, including