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 a baby he's had a nose for sniffing out mysteries. And let's just say, it's not a skill that has been appreciated by many people, including his own family. That doesn't bother Fletcher, though. After graduating at the top of his Internet class, he is officially certified as the youngest detective in the world. He even has a silver-plated detective's badge to prove it. Everything is going along fine until two things happen: a classmate hires him to solve a crime, and his prized badge is stolen. All signs point to the town's most notorious crime family, the Sharkeys.
As Fletcher follows the clues, evidence of a conspiracy begins to emerge. But before he can crack the case, Fletcher finds himself framed for a serious crime. To clear his name he will have to pair up with the unlikeliest of allies and go on the run from the authorities. Fletcher has twelve hours to find the guilty party—or he is the guilty party.
Fletcher "Half" Moon is only 12, yet he is an accomplished investigator. Having graduated from an Internet course offered by a prestigious detective school, he proudly carries his certified detective's badge. He is must continually prove himself to others. Sean Patrick Reilly narrates this story, set in his native Ireland, with aplomb. The mix of hard-boiled detective and Irish brogue is a delightful combination, adding to the many humorous situations. Using elements of the detective story, Colfer offers Half Moon as a new and fresh character for preteens. Reilly's pace and intonation are just right in this contemporary school-yard mystery, and Half Moon is a great young alternative to Colfer's Artemis Fowl series. D.L.M. (c) AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine