Half-Moon Investigations

by Eoin Colfer

Book Overview

Fletcher Moon has never been like other kids. For one thing, he has had to suffer the humiliating nickname "Half Moon" because of his short stature. But the real reason Fletcher is different is that... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1423105095
• ISBN13: 9781423105091
• Release Date: July 2006
• Publisher: Miramax Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.48 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A hypnotizing tale that combines humor with sleuthing to create the ultimate mystery

Lock, Ireland isn't the most crime-ridden place in the world. In fact, aside from a petty theft here and there, it seems that Lock is more of what you would call a...boring suburb. Which is why twelve-year-old Fletcher Moon isn't the happiest kid in class. Fletcher is a quirky fellow. Never one to follow trends, Fletcher has always danced to the beat of his own song. More intelligent than your average middle school student, Fletcher realized that detective work was in the cards for him before he was out of diapers. So, forgoing normal child-like activities, Fletcher, nicknamed "Half-Moon" by his teasing classmates due to his tiny stature did the unthinkable: using his father's birthdate, he enrolled in legendary detective Bob Bernstein's Internet class to receive his detective license. After two years of intense studying, Fletcher managed to graduate at the top of his class, the proud owner of a detective badge. With his graduation from the Internet class, Fletcher takes on the title of being the world's youngest detective, and he couldn't be more proud. The fact that his silver-plated detective's badge is quite well-known around town only adds to his joy. The only problem is that, even with detective badge in tow, Fletcher is bored out of his mind. Hardly any cases come his way, and when they do they are for trivial things that can be solved in minutes, and are never accompanied by payment other than a chocolate Mars bar every now and then. But then Fletcher's world is turned upside down. Within a matter of minutes, not only does Fletcher's detective badge gets swiped right out from under his nose, but he's hired to solve a crime by ten-year-old fifth-grader, April Devereux, who drapes herself in the color pink, and acts like a walking Barbie doll. With a little detective work, Fletcher realizes that both crimes have clues that lead straight to the Sharkeys. The Sharkeys aren't your typical family. Known throughout the town of Lock as criminal masterminds, whenever trouble brews, you can blame it on the closest Sharkey. Lucky for them, they garner the knack that keeps them out of prison, no matter what; but Fletcher is convinced that the Sharkeys luck is about to turn sour. With some payment thrown his way thanks to the poor-little-rich-girl April, Fletcher begins to follow a wide array of clues that begin to signal a conspiracy in the small town. Fletcher knows that he'll be able to crack the case in a matter of time, but before he's given the chance to do so, he finds himself framed for a serious crime that he knows he didn't commit. Unfortunately, everyone within Lock is convinced that he's guilty, even though he's known as being a wimpy weirdo with a penchant for sticking his nose into other people's business. Now, in an attempt to clear his name, and protect his reputation as a law-abiding, serious private detective, Fletcher finds himself forced to team up with the unlikeliest of allies to do a little extra snooping around, and make a run

Watch out Artemis!

I have read every single Artemis Fowl and I will gladly read them again and again.I was worried that Eoin would mess up the book because I felt it was out of his comfort zone.(No offense Colfer, but you seem to enjoy evil, foul and wicked characters in your books.) But despite my doubts, this is by far Eoin's best.I found the plot and story to be wonderfully charming and realistic. Normally I enjoy fantasy books but this is my new fave. I found myself laughing out loud several times while reading it. This would make a MUCH better movie than Artemis Fowl, and there was not as many uncomfortable moments like in Artemis. And yes I'm referring to Mulch. This is your best Colfer, and I hope to see a second SOON!

Nothing Half About This Book!

This is another great book, by a great author! My kids got me started reading the Artemis Fowl books and I was half expecting something in the same series when I ordered this book -- but I wasn't disappointed with this book even if it has nothing to do with Artemis Fowl! Fletcher Moon, the main character, is very interesting and looks at himself with perspective and humor. This led me to readily care about him and the relationships he built as the book developed. The mysteries are good, but happily, this wasn't just a format mystery; it included humor, personality, and growth. My advice? Buy the book, read it, enjoy it, and convince others to read it too. Even us adults can learn more about ourselves from books like this -- pain free!

A step away from the supernatural for Colfer.

Unlike Eoin Colfer's previous novels, Half Moon Investigations never strays into the realm of fantasy--that is, as long as you can believe a twelve-year-old could become a certified detective. The humor, the boy genious, the supporting cast of strange/unique characters, and the creative plotting, however, ARE here, and almost as strong and enjoyable as in the Artemis Fowl series. As explained in the novel, a vital rule of detective work involves never becoming a part of the mystery. Half Moon knows this and tries to behave accordingly, but of course things get out of hand, and he finds himself entangled so deeply that he's not only involved, he's a prime suspect. Like many mystery novels, Half Moon Investigations is told through the eyes of the protagonist, so the reader gets to follow along, step by step, seeing the clues and being privy to some of the main character's thoughts. And while this is a children's novel, even adults will be challenged to piece together the puzzle before Half Moon.

Welcome to "Half-Moon Investigations: It's Foul-play without Fowl and it isn't HALF bad

"Artemis Fowl" Author Eoin Colfer was asked at his 40th birthday party why he hadn't written a "teen book" yet. After this, and spending the evening recounting adventures with his childhood friends, this book is the end product. THE NAMES HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO PROTECT THE "NOT SO INNOCENT." The novel tells the hilarious exploits of another pre-teen genius Fletcher Moon, a mere 12 years old and already a graduate of an online detective course with a badge and everything. Fletcher Moon has never been like other kids. For one thing, he has had to suffer the humiliating nickname "Half Moon" because of his short stature. But the real reason Fletcher is different is that ever since he was born, he's had the nose for sniffing out mysteries. His first case: April Devereux, classmate and archetypical "mean girl", hires him to find out who swiped the lock of a pop star's hair that she bought on eBay. Suspicion centers on Red Sharkey, oldest son of the town's most notorious crime family. Unraveling the mystery leads Fletcher to break rule No. 1 in his detective's handbook-"Be invisible"-as Fletcher follows the clues, a conspiracy begins to emerge. But before he can solve the case, his prized badge goes missing and Fletcher finds himself framed for a serious crime. To clear his name, he will have to go on the run from the authorities, and ally himself with his chief suspect, left with 12 hours to prove his innocence by finding the guilty party. In typical Eoin Colfer style the supporting characters are large in number, but are definitely not without distinction: a tyrant school principal aided by menacing twin Dobermans, and Fletcher's older sister, Hazel, who works out her boy troubles by writing plays and poetry while locked in her bedroom, Moon's eight-year-old, snot-nosed snitch who always has green yo-yo's hanging from his nostrils that he snorts in and out. And Fletcher himself, who with the world-weary..I mean...school-weary style of the dime=store detective, tells his tale, and the process gets: brained, nearly beat up, knocked out, knock-down and more. If only it were in black and white. It is plain to seen Colfer enjoyed writing about characters he really knew growing up, and this book has some of his best banter and most likable characters. This time Colfer's setting is suburban, but as always tailored specifically to Ireland, which is part of his series' charm. It's got `hurling" and "Step-dancing" how can you not love it? While the ending leaves a trail for future investigations. I'll be looking forward to more installments in this series. Readers ages 9-up.