Sabotage Stage Left

Howard Wallace, P.I. #3

by Casey Lyall

Howard and Ivy return for a third adventure! This time, the drama’s backstage when someone sets out to sabotage the school play . . . and frame Howard.

“I wasn’t taking the fall for this. You couldn’t force a guy into a job and then blame him when it all went sideways.”
 
Spring (musical) fever has hit the Grantleyville Middle School Drama Club! Since Ivy Mason is busy with the production, she decides to take a break from sleuthing, while Howard Wallace keeps things running smoothly with their detective agency. Then, just a few weeks before showtime, suspicious things start happening backstage: missing costumes, damaged props, and too many other mishaps to be coincidental. Ivy calls in Howard and their crew to take on the case. Howard tries to lay low and quietly sniff out the perp, but he’s soon brought into the spotlight when he’s framed as the saboteur! Can the team of intrepid P.I.s clear Howard’s name and catch the culprit before the curtain falls on the big show?

Genres: Mystery, Middle Grade, Fiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published September 4, 2018

About the author

Casey Lyall lives in Southwestern Ontario where she also works at her local library. When she’s not writing, Casey loves to bake, doodle, and learn extremely groan-worthy jokes to tell her friends.

Reviews

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Howard Wallace, P.I. series, and they have been great fun to read. In the first book Howard is a bit of an outcast and odd ball at school. But he does seem to get results and soon notoriety. In the Second book the firm has expanded to mason and Wallace investigations. This third book he has a whole slew of student investigators and two different major cases. And on top of that his partner Mason is involved in the school play, as are a several of the team members.

This time Howard may have bitten off more than he can chew. They are investigating a series of spray painting vandalisms taking place on businesses around town. They are also investigating strange occurrences taking place in and around the school play. And the incidences around the play keep escalating as it gets closer and closer to opening night. Soon Howard has a suspect in the events at the school, but with his divided attention ends up getting caught in a trap. Now he is isolated, and still trying to solve the case. One of the things good managers do is trust their people and learn to delegate. These are both lessons Howard needs to experience or it could spell the end of the organization.

This is a great Middle Grade read. It is written such that at almost 50 years of age I love reading this book, and this series. Both by myself and to my kids. All three children ages 12, 10 and 8 thoroughly enjoy a Howard Wallace Mystery. The writing is tight. The ever-expanding cast of characters and their interactions with each other is interesting to watch. It has been great to watch Howard and Ivy grow through the series, and in this book especially Howard.

A wonderful read about friendship, school plays, and figuring out who-dun-it! If you have read the first 2 Howard Wallace books you will love this one, and if you have not pick them up and give them a try, I am sure you will be entertained as this young P.I. strives to always get his man!

Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Casey.

[Kaitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book. Loved the character development.

[Sharayah Rowat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read.
I continue hoping there will be more to come from Howard Wallace and the young P.I. Agency.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent addition to the Hayward Wallace series! Howard is learning and trying to change, but he’s not there yet. When he’s got two big cases going, and one concerns the sabotage that is taking place against the school play that his partner in crime, Ivy, is in (not to mention the rest of his team), he’s got to learn just what it means to be a friend. Especially when he is framed for the sabotage.

I love Howard. I love that he’s not afraid to be who he is, but at the same time, he tries to be better and to improve. Especially where his friends are concerned. Ivy still rocks, and it’s fascinating to get a bigger glimpse into her life and her problems. Theater and Drama is a fun addition to the Detective genre. This is a winner, just like the first two books in the series.

The only bad thing is that you have to wait until September to read it (as I was lucky enough to nab and ARC).

[Kathy MacMillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Howard Wallace, P.I. has learned a thing or two in his adventures: how to run investigations on the down low, how to put the pressure on the bad guys when it counts, and when to trust his partner. Howard’s loyalty to his friends, but especially Ivy, is his most endearing trait, even when it gets him into the most exasperating situations. After all, for Howard, if things didn't go wrong they wouldn't go any way at all. In this adventure, Howard faces the challenges of leadership as Wallace and Mason Investigations works with a host of new associates to solve a graffiti mystery and figure out who is sabotaging the school play. Howard’s inimitable old-man-in-a-tween-body voice provides the hook and the laughs, but it’s the heartfelt relationships that will keep readers coming back for more. Watching these middle school gumshoes in action is a sheer delight.

[Wendy MacKnight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Howard's back and so is the rest of the gang and I couldn't be happier!

I adored the first two books in this series, so when I got my hands on an ARC, I dove straight in. The world-weary gumshoe Howard Wallace is back, working hard to manage his detective agency, his new friendships and colleagues, and solve a big case. The characters are lovable, the situations both realistic and humorous, and Lyall knows how to write a great mystery! The third time is indeed the charm, at least in terms of Howard Wallace! LOVED

[Mayken Brunings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wallace and Ivy are back, and they now have a team! That took me by surprise at first, but i was totally delighted - Wallace has come a long way since the first book, though he still wears his bathrobe, sorry, his lucky coat.
Wallace, Mason & Associates face a new challenge as the school play is sabotaged. And with the number of suspects, they need all hands on deck. But is everyone on the team really on board with the case?
A great sequel, and I hope there will be more!

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Howard Wallace books are just so FUN! I love, love, love Howard and the way he talks, the way he thinks, and all of his quirks. His trusted inner circle has grown to a fun cast of characters, each with their own unique skills and traits.

I highly recommend the whole series and the third book is another gem from Casey Lyall.

[Jessie Bond · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite Howard Wallace yet! It doesn't help that I'm such a sucker for stories involving theatre. Watching Howard grow and change from a staunch loner to someone working on accepting having a full team of investigators on his side is such a joy, and I love the humor and heartfeltness with which the stories are told. Howard Wallace, P.I. forever <3

[Jeana Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it as always. Very fun characters with nice progression. The plot was a little predictable, but I still loved every second of it. I'm a sucker for first-person and this series always pleases. Howard's voice comes through loud and clear, and he's charmingly cynical all the way through. If you are in the mood for a light fun mystery read, pick this one up.

[Shakira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would really give this book a 4, if it wasn't for the fact that I kept reading and putting down this book, so I did not have a flow. I adore this series. I can not wait for whatever comes next. The kids are great. Howard had a lot of growth in this book. I love the interaction between the adults and the kids-hilarious. Always a good time.

[Suzanne Maley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this new book about Howard and Ivy. It will be interesting to see how the story progresses now that Wallace and Mason Investigations has been disbanded. We’ll see if Howard can relinquish control.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to get through the book but when I was nearing the end, I was never able to put it down. There was a slight plot twist and Howard learns that this agency isn't all about him. I loved this book. It's probably my favourite out of the three in the series.

[Tiffani Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is awesome and I want more! I don’t want this too be the last book, these novels are just so much fun! More Howard, and Ivy, and the whole gang. I hope there is more books but if not, a series well done from start to finish!

[Jasmine Fogwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition to the Howard Wallace series! An attempted sabotage of the school play has Howard and Ivy racing to solve the mystery before the entire play falls apart. A story of suspense, friendship and trust told through the hilarious voice of Howard Wallace.

[Aimee Noor · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to get through the book but when I was nearing the end, I was never able to put it down. There was a slight plot twist and Howard learns that this agency isn't all about him. I loved this book. It's probably my favourite out of the three in the series.

[Robin Yardi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all the Howard Wallace books, Sabotage Stage Left is perfect for fans of unlikely partnerships, deadpan humor, and mystery!

[emyrose8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aww! Howard learns another lesson about friendship and ego. Great banter, great mystery.

[Felicity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like it a lot like all of the others they are funny, and fun to read and the mysteries are good too. I really enjoyed the whole series.

[Phil Dwyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Bix · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm sure I read this. Gave it 4* from memory.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5