BLACK TAXI
by James Moloney
From Australia comes a zippy mystery that pits a high-school senior against a ruthless millionaire. Rosie feels trapped in a dumpy, nowhere town. When her larcenous grandfather finally lands in jail, he turns over his classic black Mercedes to Rosie for safekeeping. She soon learns she has to run numerous errands for Grandpa’s elderly friends, but also that a valuable stolen diamond ring may be hidden in the car. While trying to juggle relationships with two highly desirable boys, the handsome, wealthy, terminally nice Todd and the hunky, racy Chris, she eludes the minions of a serious criminal who’s trying to recover the ring. Moloney keeps the story suspenseful, even including a car chase, yet develops full-blown, realistic characters, especially spunky Rosie and Grandpa’s quirky friends. It’s a large cut above the usual teen mystery. (Fiction. 12-14)