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The One and Onlys #2
Finally, Something Dangerous: The One and Onlys and the Case of the Robot Crow
The mystery-solving trio, the One and Onlys, from Finally, Something Mysterious is back with another whodunit. Robot crows, a poetry-slash-wrestling Club, and a hamster infestation? This looks like another case to tackle!
As the excitement from the last mystery the One and Onlys solved is starting to dwindle, Shanks, Peephole, and Paul worry that their town is back to being boring old Bellwood. But as plans for a shiny town makeover get underway, they realize that the "old Bellwood" is anything but.
The glee over "New Bellwood" is palpable, and it's hard not to get swept away by the flashy new milkshake joint and other developments that are quickly making their small town unrecognizable. But the One and Onlys can't deny that something nefarious seems to be afoot--especially if the robot crow they stumbled upon is any indication.
Strange? Yes. Dangerous? Hopefully! Shanks doesn't know how these things are connected, but she's determined to find out--with the help of the One and Onlys.
As the excitement from the last mystery the One and Onlys solved is starting to dwindle, Shanks, Peephole, and Paul worry that their town is back to being boring old Bellwood. But as plans for a shiny town makeover get underway, they realize that the "old Bellwood" is anything but.
The glee over "New Bellwood" is palpable, and it's hard not to get swept away by the flashy new milkshake joint and other developments that are quickly making their small town unrecognizable. But the One and Onlys can't deny that something nefarious seems to be afoot--especially if the robot crow they stumbled upon is any indication.
Strange? Yes. Dangerous? Hopefully! Shanks doesn't know how these things are connected, but she's determined to find out--with the help of the One and Onlys.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published November 22, 2022
3 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 20, 2024
Pretty cute middle grade mystery, set in a cute small town and featuring some new friends. The mystery of what is happening isn't super difficult to figure out, but it was fun to watch the kids work together to overcome their fears and solve the case.
June 22, 2022
The second book with the One and Onlys mystery trio! Shanks and her friends Paul and Peephole are back to investigate when mysterious happenings start occurring in their town, starting with the appearance of metal crows. After this, disasters keep happening at well-loved local restaurants, forcing people to go to the new chains that are being built in town. The One and Onlys must solve the mystery to save their town!
This was a cute book. I felt it started a little slow, but once they found the first metal crow, it picked up from there. A solid middle grades book.
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a cute book. I felt it started a little slow, but once they found the first metal crow, it picked up from there. A solid middle grades book.
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 6, 2022
Finally, Something Dangerous: The One and Onlys and the Case of the Robot Crow is perfect for kids of middle school age or anyone looking for a quick, cute read about solving mysteries. Great characters, world building and plot.
Thank you Netgalley, Doug Cornett and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Netgalley, Doug Cornett and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 10, 2023
What worked:
Three sixth-grade students form the “best kids” detective agency in the small, quiet town of Bellwood. They call themselves the One and Onlys. Shanks is the leader and the smallest kid in her grade and she’s assisted by Peephole (literally afraid of everything) and Paul (the voice of reason). They’re always curious and looking for new mysteries and the author presents topics to be explored. Their teacher assigns them a research project where they need to learn about and do a presentation concerning a building in the town. Shanks’s father idolized a pro wrestler from 1962 so she wants to uncover the reason for the Specter’s disappearance. Later, the kids learn untold secrets of the town that many citizens never knew about or want to forget.
The opening chapters introduce several mysterious occurrences to establish the One and Onlys newest case. Twin brothers tell the trio about a robot crow hiding at the top of Funston’s Oak and Shanks climbs to the top of the tree to confirm it. Later, the best ice cream shop in town (and the only one until a week ago) is beset by sewage odors and rats. Something similar happens to another restaurant in town and the kids begin to notice a pattern. The New Bellwood project is bringing changes to the town but does that have anything to do with the strange incidents? The One and Onlys begin to identify suspects and motives and readers will work to solve the mystery along with them.
The story has small-town appeal with the added complication of tradition versus expansion. The kids are able to pedal their bikes all over town while the mayor is transported in a golf cart. Bellwood has enough businesses to satisfy their needs but competition enters the picture as bigger store and restaurant chains move in. Many members of the community meet every week for a social gathering. While this activity may be familiar to readers, the characters in this book gather for poetic wrestling contests. I won’t explain; you’ll need to read about it. Kids and parents know each other and even the mayor knows Shank’s name. The characters form a Bellwood family so trying to identify suspects in the mystery gets complicated.
What didn’t work as well:
The mystery is interesting and different but it’s not overly complicated. Readers will quickly know what’s happening so it’s only a matter of time before suspects emerge. Astute readers may figure out the culprit early on but it’s still fun to watch the One and Onlys solve the case.
The Final Verdict:
The author shares a charming mystery that takes place in the small, proud town of Bellwood. The three members of the One and Onlys don’t possess special skills but their individual talents make them a formidable team. Overall, it’s an entertaining book and I recommend you give it a shot.
Three sixth-grade students form the “best kids” detective agency in the small, quiet town of Bellwood. They call themselves the One and Onlys. Shanks is the leader and the smallest kid in her grade and she’s assisted by Peephole (literally afraid of everything) and Paul (the voice of reason). They’re always curious and looking for new mysteries and the author presents topics to be explored. Their teacher assigns them a research project where they need to learn about and do a presentation concerning a building in the town. Shanks’s father idolized a pro wrestler from 1962 so she wants to uncover the reason for the Specter’s disappearance. Later, the kids learn untold secrets of the town that many citizens never knew about or want to forget.
The opening chapters introduce several mysterious occurrences to establish the One and Onlys newest case. Twin brothers tell the trio about a robot crow hiding at the top of Funston’s Oak and Shanks climbs to the top of the tree to confirm it. Later, the best ice cream shop in town (and the only one until a week ago) is beset by sewage odors and rats. Something similar happens to another restaurant in town and the kids begin to notice a pattern. The New Bellwood project is bringing changes to the town but does that have anything to do with the strange incidents? The One and Onlys begin to identify suspects and motives and readers will work to solve the mystery along with them.
The story has small-town appeal with the added complication of tradition versus expansion. The kids are able to pedal their bikes all over town while the mayor is transported in a golf cart. Bellwood has enough businesses to satisfy their needs but competition enters the picture as bigger store and restaurant chains move in. Many members of the community meet every week for a social gathering. While this activity may be familiar to readers, the characters in this book gather for poetic wrestling contests. I won’t explain; you’ll need to read about it. Kids and parents know each other and even the mayor knows Shank’s name. The characters form a Bellwood family so trying to identify suspects in the mystery gets complicated.
What didn’t work as well:
The mystery is interesting and different but it’s not overly complicated. Readers will quickly know what’s happening so it’s only a matter of time before suspects emerge. Astute readers may figure out the culprit early on but it’s still fun to watch the One and Onlys solve the case.
The Final Verdict:
The author shares a charming mystery that takes place in the small, proud town of Bellwood. The three members of the One and Onlys don’t possess special skills but their individual talents make them a formidable team. Overall, it’s an entertaining book and I recommend you give it a shot.
May 28, 2023
Book Two in this newer series has Shanks, Peephole and Paul solving several new mysteries: the quick builds of new restaurants in town that are direct competition to the existing restaurants, the robot ravens, and the identity of the elusive Specter, wrestler extraordinaire. Could they possibly be connected??
This middle grade mystery series will likely have a following, but it was not a stand out for me. I did not read the first book in the series, and that may have helped me like this book a little more. This story moved at a brisk pace and focused solely on the mystery plot, but I felt no connections to the characters. They were not facing any particular hardships or personal challenges and seemed to be outliers of the storyline. The story started almost too fast and I was scrambling to figure out the characters, their connections to each other and personal motivations in their relationships.
This middle grade mystery series will likely have a following, but it was not a stand out for me. I did not read the first book in the series, and that may have helped me like this book a little more. This story moved at a brisk pace and focused solely on the mystery plot, but I felt no connections to the characters. They were not facing any particular hardships or personal challenges and seemed to be outliers of the storyline. The story started almost too fast and I was scrambling to figure out the characters, their connections to each other and personal motivations in their relationships.
November 14, 2023
Just as charming as the first, the second book of this series is from the perspective of Shanks instead of Paul. It's a fun mystery filled with small town life and the different yet enjoyable characters found in "Finally, Something Mysterious."
The One and Only's make friends with Shanks' neighbors, Dorothea and Elvis. We learn their great grandfather was a citizen of Bellwood but because he was black, he was only allowed accommodations in the "Blacks Only" hotel. While sad, Dorothea's response was that unless people know about their history, they will repeat it. And her response to Shanks' apology was perfect; "You don't have to be sorry, Shanks. You had nothing to do with it." In a world of "white guilt," this was very refreshing!
Found in L4M YT Volume 51.
The One and Only's make friends with Shanks' neighbors, Dorothea and Elvis. We learn their great grandfather was a citizen of Bellwood but because he was black, he was only allowed accommodations in the "Blacks Only" hotel. While sad, Dorothea's response was that unless people know about their history, they will repeat it. And her response to Shanks' apology was perfect; "You don't have to be sorry, Shanks. You had nothing to do with it." In a world of "white guilt," this was very refreshing!
Found in L4M YT Volume 51.
September 19, 2025
Just as charming as the first, the second book of this series is from the perspective of Shanks instead of Paul. It's a fun mystery filled with small town life and the different yet enjoyable characters found in "Finally, Something Mysterious."
The One and Only's make friends with Shanks' neighbors, Dorothea and Elvis. We learn their great grandfather was a citizen of Bellwood but because he was black, he was only allowed accommodations in the "Blacks Only" hotel. While sad, Dorothea's response was that unless people know about their history, they will repeat it. And her response to Shanks' apology was perfect; "You don't have to be sorry, Shanks. You had nothing to do with it." In a world of "white guilt," this was very refreshing!
Found in L4M YT Volume 51.
The One and Only's make friends with Shanks' neighbors, Dorothea and Elvis. We learn their great grandfather was a citizen of Bellwood but because he was black, he was only allowed accommodations in the "Blacks Only" hotel. While sad, Dorothea's response was that unless people know about their history, they will repeat it. And her response to Shanks' apology was perfect; "You don't have to be sorry, Shanks. You had nothing to do with it." In a world of "white guilt," this was very refreshing!
Found in L4M YT Volume 51.
February 4, 2023
The mystery was fun for the boys but I wasn’t thrilled about the “hot topics” that were woven through the book sometimes in unnecessary ways. It felt, at times, that the author was just trying to include something so that they would be seen as progressively in tune with current culture. It’s one thing to have something as a clear part of the storyline and another to randomly throw a nod to various identity groups.
January 13, 2023
Loved it! What a great book for mystery fans!
January 21, 2023
A great middle grade sequel that continues the adventures of a group of friends trying to solve a mystery in their town. New friends are added along with some history of the town.
February 25, 2023
Even better than the first one, which was excellent.
December 18, 2023
Great read
Read this book with my 10 year old son. We really enjoyed it. We love the One and Onlys! Would recommend.
Read this book with my 10 year old son. We really enjoyed it. We love the One and Onlys! Would recommend.
October 23, 2025
This momma recommends 10+, but clean language and content. Nice discussion of fear and how you can't let it control you and the necessity of accepting change without erasing your history.
December 25, 2025
A really good story about a couple of kids figuring out the origins of a robot crow which is mysterious and is trying to cause havoc. 🐦⬛
June 25, 2022
This was a fun, middle grade mystery with a trio of detectives who embark on an adventure to solve their next mystery. Upbeat tone. Interesting characters. Good plot that keeps the reader's attention throughout. There was even a tearjerker moment towards the end.
Fun and engaging read appropriate for middle grade audiences.
Note: A special thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Fun and engaging read appropriate for middle grade audiences.
Note: A special thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 25, 2022
A 4 star read!
Finally, Something Dangerous is a spunky little mystery book for middle grade readers. Funny and clever, it’s a mystery that has a Scooby Doo feel to it.
I look forward to recommending this to my elementary school age students! As well as the book that preceded this story and any future books in the series about the One and Onlys of Bellwood!
Many thanks to NetGalley as well as Random House Children’s Books for a e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Finally, Something Dangerous is a spunky little mystery book for middle grade readers. Funny and clever, it’s a mystery that has a Scooby Doo feel to it.
I look forward to recommending this to my elementary school age students! As well as the book that preceded this story and any future books in the series about the One and Onlys of Bellwood!
Many thanks to NetGalley as well as Random House Children’s Books for a e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews