Fletcher Moon has never been like other kids. For one thing, he has had to suffer the humiliating nickname "Half Moon" because of his short stature. But the real reason Fletcher is different is that ever since he was a baby, he's had the nose for sniffing out mysteries. And let's just say, it's not a skill that has been appreciated by many people, including his own family.

That doesn't bother Fletcher, though. After graduating at the top of his Internet class, he is officially certified as the youngest detective in the world. He even has a silver-plated detective's badge to prove it. Everything is going along fine until two things happen: a classmate hires him to solve a crime, and his prized badge is stolen. All signs point to the town's most notorious crime family, the Sharkeys.

As Fletcher follows the clues, evidence of a conspiracy begins to emerge. But before he can crack the case, Fletcher finds himself framed for a serious crime. To clear his name, he will have to pair up with the unlikeliest of allies and go on the run from the authorities. Fletcher has twelve hours to find the guilty party — or he is the guilty party.

"This tale from the author of Artemis Fowl tracks the hilarious exploits of brainiac Fletcher Moon, a mere 12 years old and already a graduate of an online detective course. His first case: ber-brat April Devereux, 'head of an entire tribe of Barbies,' hires him to find out who swiped the lock of a pop star's hair that she bought on eBay. Suspicion centers on Red Sharkey, oldest son of the town's leading crime family. Unraveling the mystery leads Fletcher to break rule No. 1 in his detective's handbook — 'Be invisible' — and most of the other rules, too. The large but distinctive supporting cast includes a female school principal whose iron hand is aided by a pair of menacing Dobermans, and Fletcher's older sister, Hazel, who works out her boy troubles by writing plays and poetry while locked in her bedroom. 'How about a rhyme for pathetic?' she asks Fletcher, who suggests 'prosthetic' (this for Hazel's 'epic poem about [his] date with April'). While the setting is suburban and the well-to-do kids have the same fixations as their American cousins, Colfer tailors the details specifically to Ireland. April's cousin May is a step dancer ('Go and do your Riverdance thing,' April says dismissively at one point), the boys play hurling ('the Irish sporting version of pitched battle') and swear loyalty by invoking the Irish marble oath, 'Brick miss must celt.' It's a place many readers will very much enjoy visiting. Ages 10-up. Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"Combine Sam Spade's manner, Encyclopedia Brown's curiosity and Columbo's deductive tenacity....Half Moon is full-fledged fun and a sure-fire booktalk....[A] fast-paced romp..." Kirkus Reviews

"A typically funny Colfer offering without the mania of the Artemis Fowl series, the story wittily delivers....Kids who enjoy comic mysteries will have a great time with Half Moon, and the conclusion drops plenty of hints that this could become a series." School Library Journal

Ever since he can remember, 12 year old Fletcher Moon has had to suffer the nickname "Half Moon" because of his short stature. However, what Fletcher lacks in height he makes up for in brains, because Fletcher Moon is the youngest qualified private detective in the world.

To achieve this extraordinary feat, Fletcher changed his age on his birth certificate and signed up for an internet diploma course. He graduated top of his class and received a gold plated detective's shield for his effort. Armed with his prized shield, Fletcher takes on various petty crime cases in his school. Things are going pretty well until one day his shield is stolen and Fletcher is caught up in an investigation involving the town's biggest crime family. Grevious bodily harm, arson, dangerous undercover work ensue as Fletcher is framed for several crimes he did not commit. He is forced to go on the run from the authorities, with twelve hours to find the guilty party, or he is the guilty party.

Eoin Colfer was born and raised in Ireland. He is the author of the highly acclaimed book for children The Supernaturalist, but he is best known for his award-winning Artemis Fowl books which have sold more than 2 million copies. Eoin lives in Ireland with his wife, two sons, and an overactive imagination.