The summer is off to a lousy start when Levi's bike is stolen from outside the corner store. He feels even worse because he didn't lock it. But when his best friend Riley's locked bike is stolen the very next day, the boys are determined to get both of them back. When they discover there has been a string of bicycle thefts in the area, the friends hatch several plans to find the culprit. There are so many potential suspects—Steve Morrow and his gang, the tattooed guy who sits at the bus stop, the owners of the secondhand-bike store. There's also Emily Grimshaw, Levi's childhood nemesis, who keeps popping up and showing a peculiar interest in the thefts. Does she really want to help or is she involved somehow? And will Levi and Riley ever see their beloved bikes again?
"Hutchins has written a gripping mystery for children with twists and clues enough to keep readers engaged until the surprise resolution. She is a master at chapter-ending cliff-hangers. There could not be a more relatable subject matter for a pre-teen mystery than a bike thief, and Hutchins delivers a cast of characters complete with believable dialogue, actions, and reactions...Hutchins’ gives children the benefit of the doubt by not shying away from the issues of animal abuse and different/difficult family life, while also not being overwhelmingly didactic. Humour is also sprinkled throughout the text, creating a beautiful harmony...A novel that will pull young readers in with no difficulty at all while setting up some very interesting discussions for post-reading. Highly Recommended."
– CM Magazine
"A fun and entertaining story that is conversational in style, and moves at a fast pace...An enjoyable and quick read that has numerous discussion points."
– Resource Links
"Filled with red herrings and detective work, this page-turner mystery provides readers with a cliffhanger at the end of each chapter. The author uses the theme of stolen bikes to pose questions about morality, inviting students to form their own thoughts on what is right and wrong. That makes this a good read for a book club or a read-aloud for discussion in the classroom."
– Library Media Connection
"The plot twists and turns will have readers guessing until the end."
– School Librarian's Workshop
Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award | 2014 | Short-listed
CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens | 2014 | Commended
The Writers’ Guild of Alberta (WGA) R. Ross Annett Award for Children’s Literature | 2014 | Short-listed
Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award | 2014 | Nominated
Rocky Mountain Book Award (RMBA) | 2015 | Short-listed
Forest of Reading Silver Birch Express Award | 2014 | Nominated
Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Awards - Diamond Willow | 2015 | Nominated
