The Case of the Absent Answers

Mickey McKinney: Boy Detective, Book 1

By: R. L. Fink

Narrated by: Hannah Edelson

Mickie McKinney is Maple Ridge Middle School's one and only private detective. (Not that anyone else wants the job.) So when the new girl is accused of stealing the history test answers, Mickie is the only one who suspects there might be someone else behind the crime. With the help of an orange smudge, the school’s mad scientist, and wisdom of his late father, Mickie is willing to follow the clues and unmask the true culprit…except the new girl doesn’t want his help.

©2022 R.L. Fink (P)2022 R.L. Fink

Artfully Done

This is so far away from my normal genre, and yet I found myself drawn in regardless. Beautiful pacing, story telling, characters, and audio performance.

An endearing young detective

The Case of the Absent Answers, the first short story in the Mickey McKinney: Boy Detective series from Ruby Fink targeting kids, teenagers, and those young at heart, is the first superb audiobook featuring Maple-Ridge Middle School’s one and only Private Detective. Written beautifully, with love and care by Ruby Fink, and exquisitely performed by Hannah Edelson, this one-hour-long adventure is more entertaining, more charming, and more meaningful than other stories five or even 10 times longer!

This seventh-grader stayed with me for a long time after I finished listening to the first chapter depicting his shenanigans. Mickie McKinney is a good, smart kid, fascinated by mysteries, dreaming to become a detective, but he is not willing to wait until he grows older in order to start his adventure. Mickie will try to solve any and all mysteries thrown his way by schoolmates, payment to be delivered at the conclusion of the investigation in sweets of different sizes.

Wise enough to know that it’s not smart to challenge bullies, but wanting so hard to do the right thing that he can’t help himself, our Mickie is forced to stand up for a new colleague when she is falsely accused of a deed she didn’t do.

The writing is vivid, witty, and smart, the action moves fast, the mystery is revealed in a funny, but natural way, and the characters are some of the most endearing in recent memory.

Voiceover artist and narrator Hannah Edelson delivers one of the most energetic and riveting performances that I have ever experienced in an audiobook dedicated to young adults!

Hannah expertly captures the feel and scope of this story. Although she is a woman, and the main character is a young boy, her voice is perfectly suited for bringing to life these unforgettable kids and their adventures. I can’t think of anyone who could have done a better job! I love her narration, her voice is young and absolutely beautiful! I can’t wait to hear Hannah again, either in Mickie’s next chapter or in another, totally different, audiobook.

I am almost 40 years old now, but The Case of the Absent Answers has delighted and entertained me tremendously. Yes, from time to time we need to take a step back from all the complicated things in life and just enjoy a short story that will awake in us those nostalgic feelings from our childhood and early school years.

Ruby and Hannah are a force of nature together and I have the distinct impression that they will entertain us for many years to come with their combined talents!

The Case of the Absent Answers is a great first chapter in what could become a remarkable journey. Pick it up for yourself or for your kid, because it touches on some really important themes, such as the meaning of friendship, standing up for others even at your own risk, and dealing with loss.

I will be eagerly awaiting Mickie’s next case and I highly recommend this one to young adults and grown-ups alike!

I hope that you found this review interesting and will consider leaving a helpful vote below. Thank you! Take care, stay safe, and don't forget, always listen with your heart.