The Templeton Twin Have an Idea by Ellis Weiner

The Templeton twins, John and Abigail, are the children of the brilliant inventor and professor, Elton Templeton. Along with the twins and the Professor is their utterly ridiculous dog, Cassie. The Professor used to work at Elysian University but recently accepted a position at Tickeridge-Baltock Institute of Technology. As a result, the twins and their father must move to a new house. And that's when the trouble begins.

It is at Tickeridge-Baltock Institute of Technology that the twins and the Professor meet Dean D. Dean, a former student of the Professor who has been holding a grudge for thirteen years. Mr. Dean accuses the Professor of stealing an idea for an invention and claiming it as his own. The Professor of course denies the allegation, which eventually leads to the kidnaping of the twins by no other than Dean D. Deans brother, Dan D. Dean. In exchange for the safe return of the twins, Dean D. Dean wants to receive full credit for the invention he claims the Professor stole. Meanwhile, the twins must find a way to escape their captors. And that's when the Templeton twins have an idea.

The entirety of the story is told from the point of view of a third party, referred to only as the Narrator. The backstory of the Narrator is unknown, but judging from the way te story is written, it would seem as if the Narrator is being held captive and forced to write against his will. I doubt the Narrator's entire story will be revealed, but it's fun to speculate. The Narrators snarky, albeit humorous attitude is something I have not seen before and found it a nice change of pace.

This is the authors first book for kids, and while nicely done, some younger readers may miss some of the humor in the Narrators comments. It is also worth mentioning that the book is filled with intersting and fun to look at drawings depicted in a blueprint like fashion. The illistrations are done by Jeremy Holmes. The pictures are a nice addition and add a whole new visual element tothe story. All in all, I think that children will enjoy getting to know John and Abigail (and Cassie) and will be looking forward to sequels in the future.

This book is currently available for sale.

Stranger in the Room by Amanda Kyle Williams

When former FBI profiler turned private investigator Keye Street receives a frantic phone call from her cousin, Miki, Keye is reluctant to help. After all, Miki Ashton has a history of drug abuse and mental problems, and has had problems with police in the past. But Keye knows better than most not to hold someone past against them, as Keye herself is a recovering alcoholic. And besides, Miki is family, and Keye knows that she must help her.

Miki claims that someone broke into her house and that she has the feeling that she is being watched. Keye invites her to stay at her apartment for a while, and almost pushes Keye to the point of relapse. But with the papers piling up at work, Keye can't spend all of her time watching over her cousin who may or may not have had someone break into her house. Until the body of an elderly man is found hanging in Miki's house. That's when Luitenant Aaron Rauser of the Atlanta Police Department, and Keye's boyfriend, starts taking things seriously and discovers a connection to other open investigations.

Rauser and Keye struggle to find the connection between a local teenager, Miki, the murdered elderly man, and others as Keye starts putting together a psychological profile of the killer. Little does she know that, slowly, he is closing in on her and those she cares about the most.

Stranger in the Room is the second book in the Keye Street series. Heroine Keye Street is a recovering alcoholic who lost her job and her marriage due to alcohol and has to fight the urge to drink every day. Although this book is not as suspenseful as the first, it has a heavier focus on mystery that works well with the intricate plot. An enjoyable read for mystery buffs and is worth keeping your eye on.

This book is currently available for sale.