Digging for Trouble

Devlin Quick Mysteries #2

by Linda Fairstein

Twelve-year-old supersleuth Devlin Quick heads to Montana to dig out dinosaur bones, but instead she uncovers a mystery in this second book in the thrilling series from New York Times bestselling author Linda Fairstein After successfully apprehending a map thief at the beginning of summer, Dev is going to spend the second half of her summer vacation in Montana with her best friend, Katie, exploring the outdoors and NOT getting into trouble.

Genres: Mystery, Middle Grade, Fiction, New York, Childrens, Audiobook

Audio CD

First published November 7, 2017

About the author

Linda Fairstein (born 1947) is one of America's foremost legal experts on crimes of violence against women and children. She served as head of the sex crimes unit of the Manhattan District Attorney's office from 1976 until 2002 and is the author of a series of novels featuring Manhattan prosecutor Alexandra Cooper.

Like Fairstein, Alex ('Coop') Cooper is in charge of the Special Victims Unit of the Office. She works closely with NYPD detectives Mike Chapman and Mercer Wallace. The 17th book in her best-selling series - DEVIL'S BRIDGE - launches in paperback in June, 2016. The 18th novel - KILLER LOOK - debuts on July 26th.

This year, Fairstein will debut a new series for Middle Grade readers - 8-12 years old. Her kid sleuth, Devlin Quick, appears in INTO THE LION'S DEN in November, 2016. The series is an homage to Nancy Drew, whose books inspired Linda's two careers - in crime fiction and in the law.

Ms. Fairstein is an honors graduate of Vassar College (1969) and the University of Virginia School of Law (1972). She joined the Manhattan District Attorney's office in 1972 as an Assistant District Attorney. She was promoted to the head of the sex crimes unit in 1976. During her tenure, she prosecuted several highly publicized cases, including the "Preppy Murder" case against Robert Chambers in 1986.

Linda Fairstein left the District Attorney's office in 2002, and has continued to consult, write, lecture and serve as a sex crimes expert for a wide variety of print and television media outlets, including the major networks, CNN, MSNBC among others. Ms. Fairstein is often called to provide her opinion on high profile prosecutions including: Michael Jackson's molestation charges in 2004, Kobe Bryant's sexual assault charges, and Scott Peterson's trial. She is also a frequent speaker on issues surrounding domestic abuse.

Ms. Fairstein lives in Manhattan and on Martha's Vineyard with her husband, Michael Goldberg. Her novels draw on Ms. Fairstein's legal expertise as well as her knowledge of and affection for the rich history of the city of New York.

Series:
* Alexandra Cooper Mystery

Reviews

[Lily (Night Owl Book Cafe) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devlin and Katie are off to Montana to help dig out some dinosaur bones. When Katie makes a huge discovery, it was suppose to be a big thing. But something isn’t right when the fossils the girls dig up gets switched up for rocks. Soon Devlin and Katie cannot help but feel that something else is going on in the Badlands, and the mystery takes the two girls back to Manhattan and the Museum of Natural History.

This was such a pleasant read. I enjoy the writing, the writing was really well done and the characters are well fleshed out and developed. Devlin is a wonderful character to follow, she is headstrong, smart, and just a charming 12-year-old girl.

I love the strong friendships in this book, especially with the positive relationship between Devlin and her mother as well as between Devlin, Booker and Katie. Devlin cares, and it is evident with the fact when she tries to get to the bottom of a mystery when she feels like her friend Katie’s discovery seems to be underplayed and possibly stolen.

The author also does a great job of incorporating some facts in her books about certain things that end up being weaved as part of the story and does not make you realize that you are in fact also learning.

Devlin Quick is a great series for both adults and children alike. Filled with interesting characters, positive relationships and a fun storyline that makes this book a true keeper.

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Rashika (is tired) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Devlin Quick is back this year with a whole new mystery to solve and it involves dinosaurs this time. What I appreciate so much about these books are how much fun they are to read. I love how they are great ways to learn things but at the same time, don't assume their readers are dumb. I love Devlin Quick and I love how she is such an intelligent heroine. I am honestly just a fan because these books are so reminiscent (in the best way possible) of the Chasing Vermeer books which were my fav in middle school.

I am not sure though if I felt like Digging for Trouble lived up to Into the Lion's Den. Digging for Trouble, definitely had a lot going for it but I really wish we actually spend more time in the badlands and with the dinosaurs. I don't know if the New York City setting was really ideal for a book where the mystery revolves around dinosaurs. I also feel like some of the twists could have been done a little better. Overall though, it was still a fun read and we even got to meet another one of Dev's friends.

***This mini-review was also posted on Xpresso Reads

[Taha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dev and her friends investigate who is behind the stealing of the dinosaur bones. During the investigation, she visits the police station for information, goes to the museum for clues, and tries to find evidence. She finds out that the dinosaur bones are being smuggled and illegally sold on the black market by Steve and Chip, who were also paleontologists. Dev solves the crime, and Steve and Chip are sent to jail for "criminal possession of stolen property" 4.5/5 Star rating

[Markina Wilkerson]

Hello kids if you want a good read/ or to watch a docu-series about this author look up on YouTube, Netflix, PBS, anywhere about the Central Park five. Let us know what you think about it, it's very interesting.

Somehow she seemed to have left this story out of her line of books! Like she doesn't want to write about it I wonder why!?!

[Vanessa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Central Park Five

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Digging for Trouble by Linda Fairstein, 331 pages. Dial (Penguin), 2017. $17.

Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: EL - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Devlin and Katie are spending two weeks on a ranch in Montana digging for fossils. They are volunteering with a group of college students hoping to find something exciting. The day before they leave, much to Katie’s surprise, she unearths what may possibly be bones from a foot, and with the other bones found, everyone is pretty excited. The next morning, the group notices suspicious tire tracks around the site, but no one can explain how or why. Is someone trying to ruin all their hard work and steal the fossils for themselves?

What I liked about this book - digging for fossils and finding dinosaurs. I also liked the parts in the Museum of Natural History, but it was mostly just an average mystery. The main character was smart, involves her mom in her life and loves to solve mysteries, but she wasn’t a favorite, I liked her friends better. That being said, I think your mystery lovers will like it. While this isn’t the first in the author’s mystery series, you won’t miss out on anything by starting here.

Reviewer: RB
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Meli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This great book is about young Devlin Quick, and her friends Katie and Booker and an awesome Dinosaur fossil mystery. when we first start the book, Katie and Dev are on a trip in the badlands of Montana, on a dinosaur expedition for digging up fossils. But soon notice that weird things start to happen, Katie finds dinosaur fossils that are mysterious exchange for fakes. Then Dev finds tire tracks on the road like someone has been at the dig site stealing.Eventually, the girls end up going back to Manhattan along with the dinosaur items from the dig. This leads to more mystery for Dev to investigate with her friends, so they can catch whoever is after their Dinosaur fossil finds. Now you all know by now I am not going to share how this book ends, but I am going to tell you that you really need to get this series for yourself or your kids because it is awesome and very Nancy Drew feeling. Now on to my final thoughts which are linked at this site: https://melimimi.blogspot.com/2017/11...

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this was a good mystery that was well written and I was intrigued with all the knowledge about archaeology digs and dinosaurs. The story begins in Montana where Devlin and her friend Katie are amateurs with a group of archeologists and continues to New York City. It's convenient that her mother is the Police Commissioner and her friend Booker's mother is an orthopedic surgeon and that they can get help (sneakily) from both quarters. It's fast-paced and fun to read and at the end has danger and excitement. I was a bit annoyed to remember that her "best friend" Katie wasn't really even in the first book much. The girl from the first book did help the case some from her home in South America, to which she had returned.

[Sharon Gallup · Rating 5 out of 5]

do you remember when you read The hardy boys mystery or Nancy Drew mysteries. well this book is today's youth reading. (The Devlin Quick mysteries) Even for my age i found the story spell bound and I would recommend this to any person age 8-16 who loves mystery's. A few youths go to Montana to work with a group of fossil diggers looking for Dinosaur bones. One of the youths find a nest of dino eggs and bones but the leaders of the group make them disappear. One of the girls (whose mother is in the police force) decides to lead a investigation and it takes her back to the museum in Manhattan. It leads them all into an investigation that has many curves and dangerous adventures..

[Anna McFadden · Rating 3 out of 5]

after Dev and Katie come back from a week in the country on a dino dig here Katie found some cool finds, Dev and Booker teams up once again to investigate on of the workers who was on the dig with them. They believe he was retrying to steal Katie's find but they soon relize it's more then what meets the eye and with the tools and everything they learn by watching Dev's mom, the police commissioner, will they solve the case or make a big mess of nothing at all.

[Lucia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book was fairly good. Once again, the least suspected person was the culprit (or the person that only Delvin and her friend think it is). I think this was okay. I enjoyed the mystery, but I didn't like Katie. She isn't the nicest character sometimes, and has some weird character traits and/or actions. I think the book in all is pretty good though. I like the plot weirdness at the end and I think it was pretty exciting.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy the Devlin Quick mysteries. They remind me of my favorite books from my childhood: Trixie Belden, The Happy Hollisters, the Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew. This second mystery of the series takes Devlin from a paleontology dig in Montana to the halls of the Natural History Museum in New York. Of course, Devlin solves the mystery and catches the bad guys.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

2nd quick cute middle grade mystery set in NYC.
Biggest fiction-quickly walking into the Museum of Natural History! On a Friday afternoon in Oct the line was about an hour long and Dev walked in whenever she wanted in the middle of summer.
That aside, good mystery and fun to re-visit the museum and other NYC sites. The dialog is a little cheesy and forced.

[Karla Osorno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recently our family saw the author interviewed and we were intrigued to read her work - especially this series for our young daughter. Impressed - this had great writing, story, and series to share with her. Definitely makes me want to visit a few new places when we next visit New York.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book, part of the Devlin Quick Mysteries series, is an excellent mystery read for those young mystery lover readers. It's listed for those aged 8-12. This one involves dinosaur bones and a digging this young, smart, resourceful girl participated in and discovers some crooked individuals.

[nick marino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book to read.
Really enjoyed the characters.
Kids of all ages will love the simplicity of the story.

Don't listen to the childish haters who have given the book a low rating due to their misguided dislike of the author.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great middle-grade mystery series set in NYC (and other environs, per plotline).

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devin goes on vacation with her best friend; the highlight of the trip is getting to go on an archeological dig. This dig also ends up as Devlin's latest investigation, much to her personal peril.

[Beyro]

Good

[aem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute

[Kelly]

I listened to this on audio and loved it! The narrator is fantastic, of course, they lucked out there, and then the mystery was interesting and had another good ending.

[Cindy]

Digging for Trouble

[Velma Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

[Jill Berry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick moving adventure mystery. It seems unrealistic that Dev has the advantages of having her mother be police commissioner for New York City and the mother of her friend Booker being an osteopathic physician which gives the kids access to CT scans.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really liking this series

[Heather Hoyt]

Listened to this with the kids.

[Huntly Rinck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devlin heads for Montana to dig up bones on a paleontology project, and digs up a mystery