Sammy Keyes and the Art of Deception

Kliatt, Jan, 2006 by Mary Purucker

SAMMY KEYES AND THE ART OF DECEPTION. Wendelin van Draanen. 2003/2005. Read by Tara Sands. 4 tapes. 7 hrs. BBC Audiobooks America. 1-5951-9000-7. $31.95. Vinyl; plot, author, reader notes. J

From the KLIATT review of the book, March 2003: "This is the eighth book about Sammy ... the middle-school sleuth who lives with her grandmother while her mother pursues a film career in Hollywood. For an art project, Sammy goes to an art gallery to try to understand what art is, accompanied by her grandmother and 72-year-old Hudson ... Hudson develops a crush on one of the artists featured in the exhibit, making Grams furious. It is this artist who becomes the focus of the mystery of the book. How can such a selfish, small-minded person be capable of producing such wonderful paintings? ... Meanwhile, Sammy's social life at school is changing ... Throughout, the story offers what we expect from a Sammy Keyes mystery: smart young people who are independent thinkers. Grams's character is developed more thoroughly in this story, and we can see where Sammy gets some of her strength and intelligence. The thorough discussion of what makes art meaningful is quite an achievement."

Tara Sands once again nicely recreates Sammy and her friends. Her youngish voice blends into the adult voices with ease. Listening fans will enjoy

this. Mary Purucker, Beverly Hills PL, Beverly Hills, CA