Book overview
Opal Watson, Private Eye introduces an exciting new middle grade mystery series based on the popular original Pinna podcast that feels like a modern-day version of Harriet the Spy.
Opal Watson loves being a detective. When her neighbor's cat goes missing or her grandmother loses her cherished cookbook, Opal is on the case. And there is no mystery she cannot solve.
Returning home to Chicago after spending the summer with her Meme Augustine in New Orleans, Opal is nervous to begin school. Despite her parents' confidence, they worry about her making new friends and dealing with her Retinitis Pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease. When Opal gets paired with a new student, Ivy, to work on their history project together, she is hesitant--after all, she only needs her cousin, Frank, and her best friend, Madison.
But school quickly becomes the least of her worries. Madison has heard disturbances in the apartment building she and Opal live in, the Crescent. Renovations are being done, but it's unclear where the noises are coming from that are upsetting all her neighbors. Even worse, the old building is the target of developers wanting to tear it down. As Opal begins to investigate, she realizes this will be her toughest case yet.
Can Opal solve the mystery at the Crescent and save her home? And what hidden truths will she uncover along the way?
- Amateur Detective: Opal Watson is on her toughest case yet, investigating mysterious disturbances in her historic Chicago apartment building, the Crescent.
- Positive Disability Representation: Featuring a brave and capable protagonist with Retinitis Pigmentosa, this story shines a light on a determined young investigator who uses her unique perspective to solve clues.
- Found Family: With the help of her cousin Frank, best friend Madison, and a building full of quirky neighbors, Opal must band together with her community to protect their home.
- A Race Against Time: When developers threaten to tear down the Crescent, Opal has to uncover the building's hidden truths before her family and friends lose everything.