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Charlie Collier Snoop for Hire #3
The Copycat Caper
The third in a contemporary series just like Encylcopedia Brown, but with a little more brawn, and a lot more brainsteasers!
Super-sleuth Charlie Collier is thinking about taking a hiatus from his detective agency to play a private eye in a school play—but when some real robberies stump the police, Charlie realizes that detective work really is his true calling.
He and his sidekicks Henry and Scarlett team up with Charlie’s grandma and her old buddy Eugene to set a trap for the robber—one they’re sure will catch him. But the trap doesn’t work out quite the way they thought it would, leaving Charlie, Henry and Scarlett in grave danger.
This high-stakes adventure is filled to the brim with brainteasers. Charlie can solve them all—can you?
Super-sleuth Charlie Collier is thinking about taking a hiatus from his detective agency to play a private eye in a school play—but when some real robberies stump the police, Charlie realizes that detective work really is his true calling.
He and his sidekicks Henry and Scarlett team up with Charlie’s grandma and her old buddy Eugene to set a trap for the robber—one they’re sure will catch him. But the trap doesn’t work out quite the way they thought it would, leaving Charlie, Henry and Scarlett in grave danger.
This high-stakes adventure is filled to the brim with brainteasers. Charlie can solve them all—can you?
336 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
John V. Madormo
14 books36 followersJohn Madormo, Chicago area screenwriter, author, and college professor, signed a contract with Penguin Books for Young Readers for a series of middle-grade mystery novels. The series, entitled Charlie Collier, Snoop for Hire, is a tale about a 12-year-old private detective who sets up shop in his parents’ garage and solves cases for fellow sixth-grade classmates.
- The first installment , The Homemade Stuffing Caper, was released in May, 2012. The second installment, The Camp Phoenix Caper, hit bookstore shelves in February, 2013, and the third book in the series , The Copycat Caper, was released in the winter of 2014. And The Buried Treasure Caper debuted in 2017.
- John signed a contract with Wolfpack Publishing (Las Vegas, NV) for a four-book middle-grade western series titled, "The Abilene Kid." Book # 1 - "Dead Man's Hand" was released April 29, 2025; Book #2 - "Boot Hill Curse" was released May 27, 2025; Book #3 - "Sacred Relics" will be released June 24, 2025; and Book #4 - "Sweet Revenge" will be released July 22, 2025.
- John signed a contract with Lawley Publishing (Phoeniz, AZ) for a two-book middle-grade science fiction series titled, "Crash Crawford, Accidental Astronaut." Book #1 will be released in the winter of 2026; Book #2 will be released in the fall of 2026.
- John signed a contract with Zumaya Publications (Austin, TX) for a middle-grade series titled, “The Adventures of Rutherford, Canine Comic.” Book 1 was released in the fall of 2020. The sequel will be released in the fall of 2025.
- He also signed a contract with The Wild Rose Press (Adams Basin, NY) for a young adult novel titled, “The Summer of Guinevere.” The book was released in April of 2019. The sequel, "The Autumn of Andie," was released in the summer of 2020.
Sold a family comedy screenplay, “Coach Dracula,” to Dog & Rooster Prods., Studio City, CA.
Optioned a family comedy screenplay, “Two-Faced!”, to Doris Roberts (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) Enterprises. Ms. Roberts and her manager/son, Michael Cannata have held the rights for 3 years.
Completed a screenplay adaptation of the young adult novel, THE GHOST OF LIZARD LIGHT by Elvira Woodruff, for Flatiron Films (producers of the 2000 release "Pay It Forward" starring Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt).
- The first installment , The Homemade Stuffing Caper, was released in May, 2012. The second installment, The Camp Phoenix Caper, hit bookstore shelves in February, 2013, and the third book in the series , The Copycat Caper, was released in the winter of 2014. And The Buried Treasure Caper debuted in 2017.
- John signed a contract with Wolfpack Publishing (Las Vegas, NV) for a four-book middle-grade western series titled, "The Abilene Kid." Book # 1 - "Dead Man's Hand" was released April 29, 2025; Book #2 - "Boot Hill Curse" was released May 27, 2025; Book #3 - "Sacred Relics" will be released June 24, 2025; and Book #4 - "Sweet Revenge" will be released July 22, 2025.
- John signed a contract with Lawley Publishing (Phoeniz, AZ) for a two-book middle-grade science fiction series titled, "Crash Crawford, Accidental Astronaut." Book #1 will be released in the winter of 2026; Book #2 will be released in the fall of 2026.
- John signed a contract with Zumaya Publications (Austin, TX) for a middle-grade series titled, “The Adventures of Rutherford, Canine Comic.” Book 1 was released in the fall of 2020. The sequel will be released in the fall of 2025.
- He also signed a contract with The Wild Rose Press (Adams Basin, NY) for a young adult novel titled, “The Summer of Guinevere.” The book was released in April of 2019. The sequel, "The Autumn of Andie," was released in the summer of 2020.
Sold a family comedy screenplay, “Coach Dracula,” to Dog & Rooster Prods., Studio City, CA.
Optioned a family comedy screenplay, “Two-Faced!”, to Doris Roberts (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) Enterprises. Ms. Roberts and her manager/son, Michael Cannata have held the rights for 3 years.
Completed a screenplay adaptation of the young adult novel, THE GHOST OF LIZARD LIGHT by Elvira Woodruff, for Flatiron Films (producers of the 2000 release "Pay It Forward" starring Kevin Spacey and Helen Hunt).
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 21, 2017
The Book Charlie collier Snoop for hire is an amazing book that has many plot twist that will be for sure keep your nose in this book. This book is part of a 4 piece series and this is the third one. You will probably want to read the other books before this one to get maximum satisfaction in the book.
Overall I feel this book had many parts that made me want to keep reading like the characters and the fact that the story kept me guessing on what was going to happen. My favorite character by far was Henry. This book was hilarious because of the brain teasers that Charlie would always get right. Also, my favorite part of the book is when Charlie's team finally figure out who the Criminal is.
The only thing that I didn't like about this book was the sub-plot of the play i felt like instead they could of made the robberies more detailed and more exiting.
I feel that this was a very interesting book that all reader will enjoy since of the varied vocabulary and levels. It will have you on the edge of your feet the whole time. If i were to rate this book i would rate it 4 stars out of 5 because of the sub-plot.
Overall I feel this book had many parts that made me want to keep reading like the characters and the fact that the story kept me guessing on what was going to happen. My favorite character by far was Henry. This book was hilarious because of the brain teasers that Charlie would always get right. Also, my favorite part of the book is when Charlie's team finally figure out who the Criminal is.
The only thing that I didn't like about this book was the sub-plot of the play i felt like instead they could of made the robberies more detailed and more exiting.
I feel that this was a very interesting book that all reader will enjoy since of the varied vocabulary and levels. It will have you on the edge of your feet the whole time. If i were to rate this book i would rate it 4 stars out of 5 because of the sub-plot.
May 30, 2017
As a former teaching colleague of the author, I especially enjoyed this latest edition of the Snoop for Hire series. I left far too many years pass before reading this novel.
Young readers and adults will enjoy the story line. Charlie is a smart kid, well prepared to ask excellent questions that keep the mystery plot moving along. At the same time, he has all of the doubts that mark a typical sixth grade boy.
Author John integrates a lot of themes into this novel about getting through those crazy and awkward steps in growing up.
Young readers and adults will enjoy the story line. Charlie is a smart kid, well prepared to ask excellent questions that keep the mystery plot moving along. At the same time, he has all of the doubts that mark a typical sixth grade boy.
Author John integrates a lot of themes into this novel about getting through those crazy and awkward steps in growing up.
March 25, 2017
My daughter and I had a blast reading this out loud at night. She loves the characters, the brain teasers and the mysteries. Great story for middle schoolers.
March 29, 2016
Ah what can I say?
I love that I always come away from this series satisfied. And this third installment was no exception. This time around it took me a bit longer to get a bead on where I figured this caper was headed. And I found myself questioning if someone might pull a double cross in the end. So all in all I think this plot was a little better formatted than the previous books. But regardless what won me over about all three is the endless charm.
The characters did grow somewhat I think, but mostly it was just great to see them still so true to themselves. I never get tried of reading Charlie's smooth and logical first person POV. Loved this, and I have to admit I'm a little bittersweet to see it end. Lovely, but most of all fun read.
I love that I always come away from this series satisfied. And this third installment was no exception. This time around it took me a bit longer to get a bead on where I figured this caper was headed. And I found myself questioning if someone might pull a double cross in the end. So all in all I think this plot was a little better formatted than the previous books. But regardless what won me over about all three is the endless charm.
The characters did grow somewhat I think, but mostly it was just great to see them still so true to themselves. I never get tried of reading Charlie's smooth and logical first person POV. Loved this, and I have to admit I'm a little bittersweet to see it end. Lovely, but most of all fun read.
January 5, 2017
Charlie, Henry, and Scarlett are three super sleuths! I love how Charlie references to Sam Solomon during the book, and how he eventually solves the crime that both the police and private detectives couldn't solve. Scarlett and Henry show their loyalty to their friend at the end of the book, and I had a lot of fun going through with Charlie and actually correctly solving all the brain teasers Henry gave him! I really enjoyed this book, and Gram always makes for some entertainment in the book.
May 13, 2015
AWESOME
I LOVE these books I recommend everyone to read them. The mystery is so cool, and the fact that it's a KID doing it is AWESOME!!!!
I LOVE these books I recommend everyone to read them. The mystery is so cool, and the fact that it's a KID doing it is AWESOME!!!!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews