Books › The name of this book is secret (Secret series #1)
The name of this book is secret (Secret series #1)
384 pages
A delightfully meta-fictional puzzle box of a book that treats its reader as a co-conspirator in a highly classified adventure.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like being pulled aside by a theatrical, slightly paranoid friend who has a thrilling secret to share—but only if you promise not to tell. The narrative moves at a brisk, engaging clip, constantly interrupted by a delightfully intrusive narrator who warns you to stop reading while simultaneously dropping irresistible breadcrumbs. It is steeped in a quirky, mysterious atmosphere where sensory details take center stage, blending whimsy with mild, cartoonish peril. The prose is playful and conspiratorial, heavily reliant on footnotes, redacted words, and direct addresses that break the fourth wall. It perfectly captures the giddy thrill of childhood sleuthing, making it an absolute delight for readers who love puzzles, snark, and the feeling of being part of an exclusive, highly classified club.
- Mood
- quirky
- mysterious
- whimsical
- mildly spooky
- Tone
- conspiratorial
- wry
- playful
- theatrical
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- the burden of secrets · unlikely friendships · sensory perception · courage in the face of absurdity
- The writing
- Highly interactive and self-aware, featuring a chatty, intrusive narrator who frequently breaks the fourth wall with humorous warnings and footnotes.
- The arc
- Moves from isolated curiosity into a thrilling, high-stakes camaraderie as the protagonists learn to trust each other against bizarre odds.
- Who it's for
- Middle-grade readers who love puzzles, snarky narrators, and feeling like they are part of an exclusive, dangerous club.
Content notes
- mild peril
- child endangerment
- kidnapping
About the book
Warning: this description has not been authorized by Pseudonymous Bosch. As much as he'd love to sing the praises of his book (he is very vain), he wouldn't want you to hear about his brave 11-year old heroes, Cass and Max-Ernest. Or about how a mysterious box of vials, the Symphony of Smells, sends them on the trail of a magician who has vanished under strange (and stinky) circumstances. And he certainly wouldn't want you to know about the hair-raising adventures that follow and the nefarious villains they face. You see, not only is the name of this book secret, the story inside is, too. For it concerns a secret. A Big Secret.
Description from Open Library.
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