The Case of the Exploding Brains by Rachel Hamilton (Children's, 9 years +, 10E/10E, short 'n' sweet review)

  February 2015, Simon and Schuster, 256 pages, Paperback, Review copy

Summary from Simon and Schuster

Noelle "Know-All" Hawkins has another case on her hands.
Her famous scientist dad - Professor Brian "Big Brain" Hawkins is in prison as a result of his portaloo mishaps. A trip to the Science Museum results in an international mystery involving the moon, some mindreading, and an awful lot of grumpy people. But how are they all connected?
Noelle, Holly and Porter are on the case. But will they piece the crazy clues together in time to save the planet?
And why is Dad walking round prison with a blanket on his head? - See more at: http://books.simonandschuster.co.uk/The-Case-of-the-Exploding-Brains/Rachel-Hamilton/9781471121340#sthash.DMO1IYVu.dpuf

Noelle "Know-All" Hawkins has another case on her hands.
 

Her famous scientist dad - Professor Brian "Big Brain" Hawkins is in prison as a result of his portaloo mishaps. A trip to the Science Museum results in an international mystery involving the moon, some mindreading, and an awful lot of grumpy people. But how are they all connected?
 

Noelle, Holly and Porter are on the case. But will they piece the crazy clues together in time to save the planet?
 

And why is Dad walking round prison with a blanket on his head?

 

Nayu's thoughts

Following on from the hilarious start to the series in involving an exploding loo, Noelle is back with her sister Holly who is my heroine (thank you Rachel!) for more peril and totally bonkers inventions and plot twists. I have to say I read with a small amount of apprehension as the brain is one of few body parts which seriously grosses me out, so it exploding is not only awful because it would kill someone but the mental image I have is horrific. Thankfully although investigating a case involving an exploding brain, Noelle mostly deals with evil masterminds and having to constantly prove to adults in authority that the danger she talks about is true and she isn't imagining it.

The entire family is once again tied up with the evil goings on, which pleases me as I enjoy family based stories. Holly's (& Noelle's) dad is in prison, acting more crazy than normal, but don't be fooled, there is a method to his madness. I know that being grumpy doesn't make a brain explode (thankfully) but it's a serious issue which Noelle with Holly has to draw on as much knowledge as they can gather, as well as a few clues left by both enemies and allies. I didn't figure it out before it got revealed which certifies this as an ace mystery read!

Find out more on Rachel's website.