Johnny Swanson

Updale (the Montmorency books) returns to historical England in a compelling tale set in 1929, which begins with mail fraud, but soon evolves into murder. Johnny is neither wealthy nor tall, so when he steals from his mother's Christmas money to mail away for the "Secret of Instant Height," he's not pleased by a response instructing him to "Stand on a box." Instead of seeking revenge, he sees an opportunity and starts placing fraudulent ads of his own, hiding his actions from his widowed mother, Winnie, and his boss at the post office, Hutch. When Winnie's employer, tuberculosis researcher Dr. Langford, is murdered, she's framed for the crime, and Johnny may be the only person who can save her. Updale spins an enjoyable tale, seamlessly mixing the humor of Johnny's fraudulent ads ("Get into Films did well.... For a shilling Johnny told them to Go to the Cinema") with the seriousness of medical fraud and murder, as well as painting a fascinating picture of an England that is just starting to forget the sacrifices made by WWI soldiers. Ages 8–12. (Mar.)