I was wondering why elmore would have moved onto a another book without mentioning he'd finished the Hofstetter book, but he quietly did so and published a review at amazon without telling anyone:
"Adrianna Hofstetter is back! This is cause for much rejoicing because she's reporting on the school production of THE MUSIC MAN, one of my favorite musicals. We get a lot of news about the rehearsal progress, the cast members' approach to their roles, and everyone's concern for the mysterious disappearance of a cast member.
Our plucky heroine, who has yet to encounter the mystery that she cannot solve, is on the case, aided by her best friend Billy, who has a major role in the production, her reticent mother Margaret - oh, yes, she is reticent - and Detectives Ramirez and Coyne, who are usually one step behind her. One of my favorite characters, retired film producer Patrick Bornstein, makes a very welcome return appearance to kick up some humor, teach Adrianna the joys of Jewish cuisine, and stir up things.
I'm still not fond of Adrianna's cat Furball, who irritates me with his perky cuteness, but that's a minor quibble. I would love to see her acquiring more friends: Billy Feldman is great, but this gay boy is soon going to start thinking about other boys, if he hasn't already, and Adrianna at some point has to find among the rude and trendy students who make her life hell someone besides Billy who finds her worth knowing and admires her independent spirit and good ethics. She's a good role model for a young reader.
Like the other books in the series, this one has some good moments of suspense and a great deal of humor and heart. At times the book seems intended less for a real teenage reader and more the teen lurking in the adult, especially those who once dreamed of being Nancy Drew or a Hardy Boy. I once did and I look forward to the next volume, Mr. Kimmel!"
