Book Review: Isabel Feeney, Star Reporter

Book: Isabel Feeney, Star Reporter by Beth Fantaskey

Source: Borrowed from Publisher/NetGalley for an honest review

Publication: Available now

Description:

It’s 1920s Chicago—the guns-and-gangster era of Al Capone—and it’s unusual for a girl to be selling the Tribune on the street corner. But ten-year-old Isabel Feeney is unusual . . . unusually obsessed with being a news reporter. She can’t believe her luck when she stumbles not only into a real-live murder scene, but also into her hero, the famous journalist Maude Collier. The story of how the smart, curious, loyal Isabel fights to defend the honor of her accused friend and latches on to the murder case like a dog on a pant leg makes for a winning, thoroughly entertaining middle grade mystery.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

Isabel Feeney, Star Reporter was a very good read. The story was fast-paced and engaging as ten years old Isabel "Izzie" Feeney tries everything she can to help prove that her friend Miss Giddings was innocent.

This mystery was set during the 1920s Chicago and focused on the time in history when gangsters and murderers were almost glamorized which provided sensational copy for newspapers. One evening when Isabel Feeney was at her job selling newspapers for the Tribune, she unexpectedly found herself a witness to a crime. Her friend Miss Giddings was charged with the murder of her fiancé Charles Bessemer but Izzie knew she was innocent. If only she could get the police to believe her. Perhaps she found someone else who would, reporter Maude Collier one of few female reporters who actually covered hard hitting news.

Trying to investigate proved a little difficult but she got some additional help by teaming up with Flora, the daughter of Charles Bessemer and Robert, the son of Miss Giddings. I like that all three kids had very different personalities yet were able to form an interesting friendship.

I really like this story it was humorous at times but it also had a bit of a gritty feel to it yet not too gritty since this is a middle grade book. However, it also didn't gloss over things that was happening during the time. I think the author did a really good job with the mystery because it was suspenseful and there were little clues pointing to many suspects. This story sort of reminded me of two of my favorite old movies "His Girl Friday" and "The Thin Man" movie series.

This was well-written and you can tell the author did research for it. I wonder if there will be any sequels, if so I would love to read more. Izzie is a great little character, she's totally full of moxie and when she sets her mind to something there is absolutely nothing that will stop her which includes pursuing her dream of being a reporter.

A great mystery with a cast full of interesting characters. I think I might have found a new favorite read.