The Crypto-Capers: The Case of the Missing Sock [Paperback]

Renee Hand (Author)

Book Description

The Team: In this story siblings Max and Mia Holmes, along with their good friend Morris and their flamboyant Granny Holmes, are known as The Crypto-Capers. They are a group of detectives who unravel crimes by solving cryptograms that criminals leave behind. Mia is an expert puzzle solver. Max is great at deduction and reasoning. Morris is a computer genius, and Granny . . . well, Granny is the muscle of the group. Don t let her size or age fool you she is quite handy. The Stolen Items: An antique sock (just one) and Prada sunglasses. The Assignment: The Case of the Missing Sock leads the Crypto-Capers to Florida, where they are hired by a Mr. Delacomb. The mystery leads the team to different locations. Clues flourish throughout the mystery. Suspects by the handful seem to pop up at every turn, but who committed the crime? Help the detectives solve the case by solving the cryptograms and puzzles. Good luck!

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: North Star Press of St. Cloud, Inc. (October 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0878393048
• ISBN-13: 978-0878393046
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,077,622 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Renee Hand writes because it is a passion in her heart. She is a homeschool parent and likes to create books that educate and inspire the children of today. She was born in Michigan and still lives there with her husband and two children. She has a degree in Zoology with a minor in Chemistry. Renee is the author of the amazing mystery series known as the Crypto-Capers Series that encourages children to read by incorporating several topics of interest. The reader participates into the story by solving cryptograms and puzzles to solve the case. She is also the author of the Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill Series, which focuses on animal detectives. This series is a great way to teach children about animals in a fun and interesting way that captures the reader's attention and yet fills them with knowledge they will be learning about in school. All books are great to use in a classroom setting to supplement various topics or to just enjoy. Renee is an award-winning author, receiving awards such as a Best Book Award, a National Literary Award and a Preferred Choice award for her children's series and adult books. She has just recently won a Seal of Excellence award in Storytelling for her Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill Series. She has been writing for over twenty years and when she is not spending time with her family or participating in author events, she is coaching and playing tennis, as well as doing research for her books and many other things that keep her busy. Not quite sure what a cryptogram is and want to learn more? Visit the author's website at www.reneeahand.com to learn about cryptograms and how to solve the ones that are in the books.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent story and fun puzzles!, June 5, 2009

By 

A. Pohren (IA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Crypto-Capers: The Case of the Missing Sock (Paperback)

What could be better than a great story mixed with fun puzzle clues to solve throughout?! That is exactly what you get with The Case of the Missing Sock. This is the first in a new series titled The Crypto-Capers in which a brother, sister, grandma and good friend team up to solve seemingly unsolvable crimes. Sister Mia is a whiz at solving puzzles, brother Max is incomparable when it comes to matters of reason and deduction, good friend Morris is a computer whiz and hard to miss Granny is in a field all her own. Together they are unstoppable and there is no crime that they cannot solve.

In The Case of the Missing Sock, an antique sock (supposedly worn by Elvis's grandmother) comes up missing - but the worst part is that inside that sock is an outrageously expensive pair of Prada sunglasses. Mr. Delacomb hires the Crypto-Capers to solve the crime and find the missing sock. This leads the group to different locations and the need to solve each clue that pops up. Will they be able to weed out the true criminal from the vast array of suspects or will that antique sock remain missing, leaving Mr. Delacomb all shook up?

Readers will love this story as they try and piece the clues together and solve the cryptograms and puzzles throughout. The Case of the Missing Sock is truly a delightful book and one that will keep boys and girls busy - and happy! I cannot wait to read the second in the series titled The Crypto-Capers in The Case of Red Rock Canyon! This is a very unique series of books and one that is sure to be a hit!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Mystery Series, June 1, 2009

By 

LadyD "San Diego" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Crypto-Capers: The Case of the Missing Sock (Paperback)

Are You A Puzzle Solver? You know those crossword puzzles, then there are word scrambles. Well, now you will find cryptograms to work on to help solve mysteries along with a group of young children plus their Granny!

Right from the beginning Renee's award winning style of writing draws you in. The author is able to create an atmosphere of mystery and wonder through likeable and well-known characters such as Sherlock Holmes. Throughout the book you will follow Max and Mia, young detectives who are asked from a rich man in Florida to help find his wife's stolen birthday present. It seems an antique sock with a specially made pair of sunglasses tucked inside is missing.

I must warn you from the beginning, you will not want to put this book down because it is that good. One book can easily be read in a day. Basically the plot revolves around Max and Mia easily solving clues using cryptograms. The Crypto -Capers are a team of young siblings Max and Mia from London, plus their lovable Granny Nellie Holmes who is always forgetting something or wandering off and the sibling's best friend, Morris a computer genius.

What I especially like about the Case of the Missing Sock is how these youngsters go about finding solutions through their great deductions and reasoning skills. Children will get involved with reading this book on any level and will have fun figuring out the paper clues. Of course if you get stumped, Renee easily provides answers to the cryptograms at the back of the book... but wait, no peeking. You'll discover and solve the clues right along with Max and Mia throughout these wonderful children's mystery series. My rating is 5+ stars. I loved this book. The price $12.95

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, January 13, 2009

By 

CF Mom "CFMom" (Detroit, MI, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Crypto-Capers: The Case of the Missing Sock (Paperback)

We purchased the book for our 7 and 9 year old children. They both loved it. The story is fun, and solving the cryptograms engaged them. The kids can't wait for the next books in the series. Highly recommended.