Neil Flambe and the Marco Polo Murders

Brief Description: Fourteen-year-old chef and budding detective Neil Flambae helps the police in their investigation of the murders of some of the best chefs in town, a mystery that seems to have something to do with Marco Polo. Biographical Note: Kevin Sylvester is an award-winning writer, illustrator, and broadcaster. His books include the Neil Flambe series, Gold Medal for Weird," and Sports Hall of Weird." He lives in Toronto, Ontario. Review Quotes: "This exuberant culinary mystery has the behind-the-scenes panache of Disney's "Ratatouille "and is held together by a kid who is as cocky in the kitchen as Gordon Ramsay (whose blurb graces the cover!). Fourteen-year-old Neil Flambe is pretty much a failure when it comes to math, chemistry, and art, but he is a genius when applying those subjects to his own recipes at his celebrated Vancouver restaurant. Neil has got a superdeveloped olfactory sense, and the police call him "The Nose" while using him to sniff around crime scenes. The latest call to detect trace evidence involves a series of murders of Vancouver's top chefs. Neil picks up an exotic chai spice mixture on the dead chefs' lips and a baffling "something else" that he can't quite put his nose on. The murders continue, and Neil himself, unable to solve the crimes, becomes the chief suspect. First published in Canada in 2010, this series starter is over-the-top fun and features an intriguing link to Marco Polo's last voyage." "-- Booklist"Marc Notes: Fourteen-year-old chef and budding detective Neil Flambe helps the police in their investigation of the murders of some of the best chefs in town, a puzzle that seems to have something to do with a mysterious smell and Marco Polo.; Ages 8-12."Publisher Marketing: A delicious blend of mystery, history, and top-notch cuisine. Neil Flambe may be fourteen years old, but he's also a world-renowned chef. Patrons pay top dollar and wait months for reservations at his tiny boutique restaurant. But Neil is more than a fantastic cook--he solves crime too. Ever since he used his kitchen know-how and keen sense of smell to acquit a man of murder, he's been helping Police Inspector Sean Nakamura crack case after case But when some of the best chefs in town turn up dead, the crime scenes turn culinary. Police are stumped, and the only clues are the scents of mysterious spices and a journal that may have belonged to... Marco Polo? Neil must find a way to connect the past with the present and solve the murders--or he could end up as the prime suspect! Review Citations:

Booklist 04/15/2012 pg. 68 (EAN 9781442446045, Hardcover)

Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2012 pg. 84 (EAN 9781442446045, Hardcover)

Quill & Quire 01/01/2010 pg. 52 (EAN 9781554702664, Hardcover)

Publishers Weekly 03/15/2010 pg. 55 (EAN 9781554702664, Hardcover)

School Library Journal 04/01/2010 pg. 169 (EAN 9781554702664, Hardcover)

Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2010 pg. 355 (EAN 9781554702664, Hardcover)

Contributor Bio:  Sylvester, Kevin Kevin Sylvester is an award-winning writer, illustrator, and broadcaster. His books include the Neil FlambE series, " Gold Medal for Weird", and "Sports Hall of Weird". He lives in Toronto, Ontario.