The Case of the Vanishing Painting

Jigsaw Jones Mystery #25

by James Preller

Looking for intriguing mysteries, great friendship stories, and quality chapter books for beginning readers? Look no Jigsaw and Mila are the best detectives on the market!


While working on a project for Parents' Night, ace detective, Jigsaw Jones, receives an urgent late-night phone Geetha Nair's painting has been stolen from the art room. At the scene of the crime, Jigsaw and his partner, Mila, find a baffling secret code. While working to solve the riddle, Jigsaw is stunned to discover it leads to a trail of clues hidden throughout the school building -- ingeniously disguised by the thief. Unless Jigsaw and Mila can decipher the puzzle in time, Geetha's painting-- and an explosive school secret -- will be lost forever!

Genres: Mystery, Childrens

96 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2004

About the author

James Preller (born 1961) is the children's book author of the Jigsaw Jones Mysteries, which are published by Scholastic Corporation. He grew up in Wantagh, New York and went to college in Oneonta, New York. After graduating from college in 1983, James Preller was employed as a waiter for one year before being hired as a copywriter by Scholastic Corporation, where he was introduced (through their books) to many noatable children's authors. This inspired James Preller to try writing his own books. James Preller published his first book, entitled MAXX TRAX: Avalanche Rescue, in 1986. Since that time, James Preller has written a variety of books, and has written under a number of pen names, including Mitzy Kafka, James Patrick, and Izzy Bonkers. James Preller lives in Delmar, New York with his wife Lisa and their three children.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/jamesp...

Reviews

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another fun book in the Jigsaw Jones series of mysteries by James Preller. The stories are short and the mysteries are entertaining.

I discovered this book in a stack of books we were getting ready to donate and thought I'd give it a quick read. It's very similar to the other books we've read in this series and I remember our girls liked the characters and enjoyed trying to solve the mysteries.

I would recommend this book for children who are ready for chapter books and like mysteries.

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so happy to find another new-to-me mystery series for children. I'll have to look for more from this series. It was cute!

[melhara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute and simple children's mystery about a girl's painting from art class that goes missing right before Parent's Night.

It's a simple enough story that's easy for kids to follow. To be honest, the book had me guessing at the culprit (which I guessed incorrectly lol).

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Part of a personal challenge to read all of my boyfriend's and his sister's childhood books before we donate and give them away.

[Jasmine Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute for a child’s mystery book. Gives a great lesson of friendship. I feel like as a child I would have loved this series of books. Solving mysteries, making friends, and helping people are all admiring aspects of the character Jigsaw Jones.

QUOTES FROM THE BOOK-
“ Anybody can break an arm. But breaking it in two places- that took talent.”

“The nicest people are the worst liars.”

“Ants may be small, but they work together to solve big problems.”

[anjali · Rating 2 out of 5]

Title: Jigsaw Jones and the Case of the Vanishing Painting

Author: James Preller

Series: Jigsaw Jones #25

Rating: ★★

Summary: While working on a project for Parents' Night, ace detective, Jigsaw Jones, receives an urgent late-night phone call: Geetha Nair's painting has been stolen from the art room. At the scene of the crime, Jigsaw and his partner, Mila, find a baffling secret code. While working to solve the riddle, Jigsaw is stunned to discover it leads to a trail of clues hidden throughout the school building -- ingeniously disguised by the thief. Unless Jigsaw and Mila can decipher the puzzle in time, Geetha's painting -- and an explosive school secret -- will be lost forever!

Review: Not the best easy-read chapter books...

Things I Loved: The classmates are fun, and the main character's name (Jigsaw Jones) is clever.

Things I Hated: These mysteries are more 'in-the-classroom' disasters. I like the kind of kid mysteries that are presented in the A to Z Mysteries books.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute quick little mystery story with a very simple plot, lesson, and conclusion.