From School Library Journal
Grade 5–8—Dinah Galloway is a fiery 12-year-old who is preparing to be the singing voice of the 2010 Olympics in British Columbia. Actress Violet Bridey, aka Beak-Nose, has escaped from prison and is out for revenge against Dinah, who was responsible for her conviction. To escape all of the mishaps that have been occurring in Dinah's life, she agrees to go to Salt Spring Island—The Fat Farm—with her singing competitors to shape up. Dinah is completely against the new healthy lifestyle and is very vocal about her unhappiness while always keeping a watchful eye out for Beak-Nose. Suspicious events continue, and the old adage "keep your friends close and your enemies closer" rings especially true. The cast of characters, like Talbot and Pantelli, from previous books make appearances and add to the humor and adventure. Dinah's fans will enjoy this new escapade. However, readers not familiar with the series may have difficulty understanding some of the characters. Body-image issues and the underlying message of "personal best" are strong themes throughout the book. There are many plot twists to keep readers guessing who is trying to sabotage Dinah, but her thorough detective work and help from true friends will catch the "Queen of Disguise" in action. Readers will appreciate this strong-willed, sassy heroine who has a heart of gold.—
Mairead McInnes, Oakdale-Bohemia Middle School, NY Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Dinah Galloway, the tweenage “snooping songbird,” once again combines her singing talent and sleuthing skills in an engaging mystery set in British Columbia. While auditioning for a commercial for Vancouver’s 2010 Olympics, Dinah learns that Violet Bridey, a would-be jewelry thief whom she helped capture, has escaped prison and is seeking revenge. Dinah goes into hiding at a fitness camp, but she quickly realizes that her location is far from secure. The dialogue is corny and the jokes groan-worthy, but readers will embrace high-energy Dinah, who realizes that making mistakes and risking embarrassment brings rewards: “I thrive on awkward moments. They’re so much more interesting than regular ones.” Filled with surprise revelations, colorful characters, and slapstick pranks, including a memorable fart-cushion incident, this is sure to please the middle-grade audience. Grades 4-6. --Gillian Engberg
