Swindled! The 1906 Journal of Fitz Morgan

Crime Through Time #1

by Bill Doyle

On board the Continental Express, traveling from New York to San Francisco in 1906, fourteen-year-old amateur detective Fitz and a new friend, Justine Pinkerton, try to unravel a dangerous plot involving disguises, arsenic poisoning, and counterfeit money.

Genres: Mystery, Historical

139 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 2006

About the author

Author Bill Doyle was born in Michigan, and wrote his first mystery at the age of eight. He has gone on to write critically acclaimed and bestselling children's books, including stories of real-life war heroes in "Behind Enemy Lines: True Stories of Amazing Courage"; the pick-your-own-adventure "Worst Case Scenario Ultimate Adventure: Everest"; the historical fiction mystery series Crime Through Time; the Henry & Keats series including "Attack of the Shark-Headed Zombie"; the Scream Team series about Bad News Bears-type monsters playing sports; and soon-to-be released series "The Prizewinners of Piedmont Place."

Additionally, Bill has served as editor at Sesame Workshop, TIME for Kids and SI Kids. He's written for LeapFrog, Weekly Reader, Rolling Stone, Comedy Central, National Geographic Kids, and the American Museum of Natural History. He is a graduate of Georgetown University and holds an MFA in Dramatic Writing from the film school at New York University where he was taught by the likes of Arthur Miller and David Mamet.

Bill lives with two dachshund-headed canines in New York City, and you can visit him online at www.BillDoyleBooks.com.

Reviews

[Denise Spicer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This kids’ mystery is set in 1906 and follows aspiring teen detective Fitz Morgan on a train ride from New York City to San Francisco. Mysterious poisonings lead to a counterfeit ring. Fitz is glad to make the acquaintance of Justine Pinkerton and has access to the Pinkerton mobile lab. Black and white line drawings and photographs by Nancy Hall Inc. give historical atmosphere. The author also includes tips for Junior Detectives interspersed throughout this episode of his “Crime Through Time” series.

[Melissa Kowalczyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun mystery. I liked the little detective blurbs and historical blurbs. I like that the authors note explains that not everything is historically accurate. I think my daughter, 9, will really enjoy it as well.

[aem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad...

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book with the kids and we all enjoyed it. It's a classic mystery that even I didn't solve before the end. (4th grade and up)

[Terry]

We love these historical mysteries. Lots of fun facts and great characters. Read our full review at the Reading Tub.