Mystery of the Missing Bagpipes

Kim's father, a New York City detective whose hobby is bagpiping, has taken his family to a bagpipe school. It's run by wealthy, goodhearted Ben Orseck, who has invited several pipers and their families to camp on his Maine estate. When valuable antiques are stolen from Ben's home, Woody, a 13-year-old who works for Ben, is considered the prime suspect. Although he won't say much to clear himself, Kim, 11, is assured of Woody's innocence. The two team up to find the real culprit, and their efforts lead to a surprising discovery. Emerson's fluid writing rates praise, but the dialogue and Kim's first-person narrative often sound too mature for 12 to 13-year-olds--who aren't apt to use words such as ``furtive.'' Although the resolution avoids predictability, the route there is painfully slow and convoluted. The novel's strong focus on bagpipes--a brief glossary of key jargon is included--is not a likely draw for readers. Ages 8-12. (June)