Charlotte Illes Is Not a Teacher

February 1, 2024

Charlotte Illes returns in the second "Not a Detective" mystery, based on the beloved TikTok series. The zany fun continues as Lottie returns to the scene of her mystery-solving heights, as a substitute teacher at her old middle school--complete with a cached detective kit she left in the band room. Prepub Alert.

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Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 15, 2024
A former kid detective grown to more-or-less adulthood is on a substitute teaching gig when yet another last case draws her in. Charlotte Illes, a recovering child detective struggling with adulting, is headed back to school. This time, she's not Lottie, a smarty-pants troublemaker questioning the authority of her teachers at Frencham Middle School; she's Ms. I, a substitute at the same school, seeing what it's like to be the one in charge. Well, kind of in charge, because 25-year-old Charlotte is far from sure she can take herself seriously in the role, even though Lucy Ortega, her longtime best friend, is a teacher at the same school. Lucy's investment in encouraging Charlotte on the job isn't limited to Charlotte's potential as a long-term sub. On Charlotte's first day at her old school in her new role, Lucy brings her to meet Kim, aka Ms. Romano, a colleague who's receiving threatening letters about what might happen if she doesn't quit her job. Lucy's prepared to beg Charlotte to resume her old ways and take the case, but she barely has to nudge the former detective to get her moving. Whether because she had a recent success testifying in court for her crush, Mita Ramachandran, a lawyer who'd hired her for a little detective work, or just because she wants to relive her glory days, Charlotte is certain she can figure out who's blackmailing Kim. She's assisted in her investigation by Gabe Reyes, her other best friend, whose informal vibes make Charlotte look downright professional. The mystery proves no match for the ragtag team of Lucy, Gabe, and Charlotte, especially when Charlotte involves a new generation of potential kid detectives. Heavy on processing conversations, light on action.

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August 9, 2024

Upon arriving at Frencham Middle School for her first day as a substitute teacher, Charlotte Illes quickly discovers her old reputation for solving crimes at the school as precocious child sleuth Lottie Illes coming back to haunt her. Kim Romano, another teacher at the school, desperately needs Charlotte's investigative help identifying who is sending her and her aunt, who is running for president of the school board, threatening letters. With some assistance from her best friends Lucy Ortega and Gabe Reyes, Charlotte begins discreetly snooping. While doing so, can Charlotte stay under the radar of vice principal Parnell, who still remembers Charlotte's school-days sleuthing antics? Siegel once again captures the nostalgic charm of beloved childhood mystery classics such as Encyclopedia Brown and The Three Investigators and channels it into an affably entertaining, character-driven 21st-century mystery that she serves up with a generous side helping of snarky humor. VERDICT Seigel's sophomore outing with Charlotte is every bit as much fun as her debut, Charlotte Illes Is Not a Detective.--John Charles

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