The Case of the Smuggler's Curse — Mark Dawson (1)

"[A]dventure-loving readers will find the developing friendships between the four children amusing.... A jolly adventure story..."—Kirkus Reviews The first in a series of gripping adventure stories featuring mystery, excitement, and friendship. Meet The After School Detective Club – Lucy, Max, Joe, Charlie and her faithful dog Sherlock in this first in a new mystery series for kids. Lucy: Brave, loyal and athletic. She wants to be an Olympian so don’t get in her way… Max: The geek with a wicked sense of humor. Self-styled child genius – just don’t tell his mom. Joe: Adventurous, funny and a great cook – but don’t believe everything he says. Charlie: Fierce as a lion, she loves her dog Sherlock more than people. Don’t ever call her Charlotte! Sherlock: Loud bark, cold nose, big heart – the fifth member of the club. They may seem an unlikely gang of friends, but when they spot a ghostly specter walking the beach one winter's evening, they are thrown together to unravel a mystery that none of them expected. The deeper they dig, the bigger the adventure becomes - motorboats, tracking devices, bedroom breakouts and daring sea rescues are all in a day's work for the After School Detective Club. But when their investigation leads them into trouble with the police, there is only one thing left to do: they must go undercover for a final showdown with a ruthless gang of smugglers who will stop at nothing to get what they want.