MYSTERY FORCE
Volume Three
by Ted Neill ; illustrated by Suzi Spooner
The Mystery Force kids and their new allies confront plots to take over the world in Neill’s latest set of three rapid-fire illustrated middle-grade adventures.
In “Missing Person,” Rasheed, Jonathan, and Jojo, along with their animal companions, fire fox Maximilian and karkadan Dan, hunt for their missing friend Dexter. Along the way, they uncover a scheme, hatched by an old antagonist, to turn beloved Robbie Robot toys into malevolent mechanical armies. “The Stone Mountain Mystery,” told in two parts, first introduces Cole and Swathy, both sorcerers-in-training at the Magesterium. They deal with an evil scam at an amusement park involving captured magical creatures, including sabretooth squirrels. The second part introduces shy Danika, who joins Rasheed, Jonathan, and Jojo on a camping trip, which leads to a quest for a powerful stone. Along the way, they face the question, “What is the opposite of love?” The answer is “fear,” and the importance of overcoming fear threads through every story. “Doppelgangers” introduces Lila, a Dragon Rider, and unites all the characters and magical creatures to save a city from villains wielding fear and fakery. Neill’s adventures cleverly blend magic and cutting‑edge technology, but his dedication to character diversity sets his stories apart: Rasheed uses a wheelchair (with cool gadgets); Jojo manages anxiety and depression (with the help of a magical scarf); Jonathan uses a cane (also full of tech); Cole has diabetes; Swathy lives with HIV; and Lila has vitiligo. Neill effectively weaves these realities into the action, as when Cole and Swathy crack a clue while fetching medication. Medical asides, such as Cole explaining his glucose pump, may feel abrupt, but they may help spread invaluable awareness among young readers. Spooner’s bold comic book-style grayscale illustrations amplify the action and intensify the portrayal of characters’ emotions.
An uplifting collection of fast-paced tales that champion resilience and understanding, while staying irresistibly fun.