Lou Dunlop: Private Eye (Crosswinds) [Paperback]

Glen Ebisch (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1987

High school student Lou Dunlop is an average guy with above average problems. His father, a police officer, is keeping an extremely close eye on him. His best friend, Eric, has lots of money and wants the two of them to travel around the world. And the famous fictional detective, Philip Marlowe, often talks to him - but only in his mind. But Lou's world gets even more complicated when a girl disappears without a trace from his school. When Jessie Phillips, the missing girl's best friend, and a strange case in her own right, recruits Lou to help search for her friend, they both get more than they bargained for. Lou discovers that sometimes the people you think you can count on let you down, while the least likely people come through for you.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lou has read a lot of Raymond Chandler books, and so his every action is governed by a conscience that speaks in Philip Marlowe's tough-guy tones. A girl named Cathy has been missing for a long time, and another classmate, Jessie, wants Lou to help her find out what happened. The clues take Jessie and Lou on several wild-goose chases but finally lead to a policeman who's been assigned to the school to check vandalism: he's murdered Cathy and then hidden the body. An ad on the last pages reveals that this book is first in a series; but it's a mild mystery without any of the crackle that it aspires to with its Chandler/Marlowe references. Jessie, with platinum hair and a no-nonsense attitude, is the more interesting character of the two. Ages 13-15.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Gr 6 Up Lou Dunlop, a high-school student whose hero is Philip Marlowe, becomes involved in his own mystery. Jessie Phillips, a classmate noted for her highly individual style of dress, talks him into helping her solve the disappearance of her friend, Cathy. Cathy left behind no clues except a series of hearts scratched in desks, from which someone has taken the trouble to scratch out the name of Cathy's heart-throb. Lou and Jessie soon encounter enough danger to satisfy even Marlowe. This is a bit more plausible than most juvenile mysteries, and while predictable in parts, the ending features a surprising double twist. The novel's best feature is the budding relationship between Lou and Jessie. Young adult readers should also enjoy the contemporary portrayal of high-school life. One flaw that Lou Dunlop shares in common with many other YA novels is the unsympathetic portrayal of the protagonist's parents. Lou's widowed policeman father comes across as an unlikable cardboard figure. Nevertheless, this is an above average young adult mystery. Ruth Sadasivan, Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, Ohio

Copyright 1987 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Harlequin (May 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373980027
• ISBN-13: 978-0373980024
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,703,909 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended, October 22, 2001

By 

C. Penn "WordWeaving" (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lou Dunlop: Private Eye (Crosswinds) (Paperback)

Louis Dunlp prefers the work of Raymond Chandler, specifically Phillip Marlowe, a tough private eye, to the studying Eleventh-grade English. Marlowe didn't worry -- Lou worries a lot and about everything. Daydreaming in English class results in the teacher's unwanted attention. The teacher moves him from the window seat to an empty seat on the second row. Unfortunately, tthe desk had belonged to Cathy McKenna. Cathy disappeared in November, and no one has used it since. Graffiti on the desk and classmate Jessie's suggestion lead to Lou investigating the missing student. Teaming up with Jessie, Lou follows the leads that result in more excitement than he bargained for.

Author Glen Ebisch creates a challenging mystery in LOU DUNLOP: PRIVATE EYE. The myriad suspects and motives keep the pace moving as Lou learns the secrets behind his classmate's disappearance. Lou himself is a fascinating character as his alter ego encourages or criticizes his actions. Emotionally vulnerable and filled with self-doubt, most teens will identify with him as they find him both humorous and sensitive. An excellent read, LOU DUNLOP: PRIVATE EYE is highly recommended.