The Deadly Dinner Lady (Rory Branagan (Detective), Book 4)

Following on from Rory Branagan Detective, The Dog Squad and The Big Cash Robbery, this is the fourth book in the Rory Branagan series by Andrew Clover and Ralph Lazar. As with the previous titles, The Deadly Dinner Lady is everything a new or reluctant reader looks for in a book; large clear print, a few laugh out loud sentences on each page and fast paced action throughout. In keeping with the previous adventures and antics of Detective Branagan and his side kick The Cat Callaghan, - or should that be Corrigan - this tale is suitably supported by black and white, sketch illustrations on every page, ideal for helping the focus of those readers who still need visual clues when reading. This super sleuth adventure is set in Rory's school and my guess is this is why this particular book is dedicated to 'all teachers who go that extra mile to make their lessons interesting - and to the kids who listen to them'. Rory starts his adventure in the'lair of the Dinner Ladies' where it is hot and noisy, and the school dinner ladies 'snarl' like dragons! As each dinner lady is introduced I found it hard not to immediately link them to a dinner lady or MDSA, that I have met over the years, and I'm sure that every child or adult who reads this book will be able to identify with the different ladies serving dinner at Rory's school. It is during a school talent show where both staff and children are performing that the dastardly deed of this story takes place. Unimpressed by the Deputy Head Teacher's Grammar rap, thrilled by Mr Meeton's musical rendition and then blown away by Ms Rhodes - the Deadly Dinner lady's brilliant impersonations - the crowd are eagerly awaiting the results of the competition when a scream is heard... Rory's investigation of the crime is thwarted at each turn, his Mum and brother are both firmly against him being a detective, the school is closed while the police investigate what has happened and Stephen Maysmith, the REAL police detective most certainly doesn't want Rory anywhere near the scene of the crime! That said, he does side with Rory when faced by Rory's Mum, could it be that Police Detective Maysmith can see Rory's potential? This is the fourth book in the series and I am sure that this may just be the book that so many young readers, 8+ are looking for, and once hooked will eagerly await the arrival of Detective Rory Branagan's next adventure in The Leap of Faith. 288 pages / Ages 8+ / Reviewed by Sam Phillips, teacher.

Suggested Reading Age 7+