Double Whammy Whodunnits: Eddie Woo?


Nerdy swerving, mind-bending mysteries have always been lightbulbs for my moth-like curiosity, so action orientated whodunnits like this new Eddie Woo? series have serious appeal. Breakneck bewilderment and equally rapid problem solving provide plenty of page-turning moments for fans of adventurous lateral thinking. And you don’t even have to be a whizz at numbers to appreciate the analytical aspects of these storylines … thank goodness!

Maths genius and revered Australian maths teacher (shortlisted as one of the top ten teachers in the world!), Eddie Woo co-authors each story injecting the snappy storylines with intriguing maths equations, dilemmas and revealing details for fans of facts and factoids. He is also the self-named main character of these junior novels. Accompanying school-aged Eddie are his two valued sidekicks, DT and Rusty – a super sleuthing prerequisite. These three share a love of mathematical conundrums as well as a deep passion for their seaside suburb of Red Hill, the setting of their first mystery.

In Time Out!, Eddie and co happen upon a musical mystery which blossoms in a cryptic treasure hunt studded with puzzles and cipher clues. The lure of gold is nothing compared to the super sleuths’ need to solve the puzzle from the past, however someone else craves the treasure for their own providing a backdrop of unease and danger.

I loved the atmosphere of urgency and movement this tale exudes from go to whoa. There is a real sense of Indiana Jones adventure that follows Eddie and the gang as they belt from one clue to another; a reference 7-something readers won’t understand but will appreciate from the exciting search and discovery scenarios.

Team Trouble! also possesses local flair and a link to the past. Long-time family friend, Norman Appleby suffers from Alzheimer’s disease but resides peacefully at the Sunny Side Aged Care Home. He is part of Eddie’s daily routine however on one Monday morning’s visit, they are confronted by a bunch of burly bouncers instead of the usual staff. Eddie fears the worst. Turns out Norman’s home has been bought out by a company of unscrupulous smugglers. The helpless residents have just days to vacate before their home is bulldozed. Not only that, but Eddie and his besties’ attention is divided by their need to come first in their school’s Triple Threat Quest. This is an inter-school comp that tests mentality, musical ability and physical prowess, the latter of which is Eddie’s Achilles’ heel.

Missing wildlife, skateboard thrills and spills and a conclusion that resembles an A-Team adventure (yes more 80s references!) and you’ve got yourself another absorbing page tuner.

Even for an 80s relic like me, the cryptic messages and code-solving clues add an extra engrossing element to these whodunnit adventures, which subtly and sometimes not so subtly, underscore the message that maths is everywhere. Nice one, Eddie.


Title: Whodunnit, Eddie Woo? Time Out!
Author: Eddie Woo & Jess Black
Illustrator: Mitch Vane
Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia, $14.99
Publication Date: June 2022
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760982997
For ages: 7 – 10
Type: Junior Fiction

Buy the Book: Pan Macmillan Australia, Boomerang Books


Title: Whodunnit, Eddie Woo? Team Trouble!
Author: Eddie Woo & Dave Hartley
Illustrator: Mitch Vane
Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia, $14.99
Publication Date: June 2022
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760983000
For ages: 7 – 10
Type: Junior Fiction

Buy the Book: Pan Macmillan Australia, Boomerang Books

 

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