Lozzie Cracknell stumbles upon a tantalizing mystery--her English teacher, who is also dating her Mum, is being blackmailed. But who on Earth would blackmail a bore like him, and why? As they delve deeper into the mystery, it becomes clear is that danger can lurk in totally unexpected places. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

Wright's first novel (she's written several works of children's nonfiction), a U.K. import, reads with an unmistakable accent ("Bloody Nora" is a frequent exclamation). This campy story follows Lauren "Lozzie" Cracknell, who is having a spell of bad luck. Her parents have separated, her father just moved into the same building as Tonya Ravonia (the school bully) and her mother may be dating Mr. Barnett, Lozzie's "unreasonablest" teacher. ("Well, isn't that fab! Dad and Mrs. Ravonia are the best of pals and Mum's practically doing-the-do with Mr. B. I may as well kill myself now and save Tonya the bother.") In the midst of these crises, Lozzie and her best friend Dex discover a blackmail note to Mr. Barnett. As they try to figure out who would want to blackmail him, the story line becomes more convoluted as Lozzie's room is ransacked, items stolen and revelations about Mr. Barnett surface. The plot is far-fetched and certain subjects (e.g., Lozzie's feelings about her parents' separation) are glossed over, but reluctant readers may still enjoy this fast-paced, easy read. Ages 12-up. (Apr.) Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr 6-9-Lauren Cracknell, 14, is constantly getting into trouble. When she is not hanging out at her mother's hair salon with her friend Dex, she is busy snooping in her sister's room or emailing the entire grade an embarrassing photo of the class bully. After forgetting to mail invitations to an important salon event, she is forced to deliver them on a bike. As the messenger, she is inadvertently implicated in a blackmail scheme. The victim is none other than her crabby English teacher whom Lauren fears is dating her newly separated mom. The teen must figure out who is blackmailing her teacher and why before someone gets hurt. Wright's novel is fast paced and light and her characters are likable and upbeat. However, many readers may have trouble connecting with the British slang, making this quirky read an additional purchase.-Kimberly Garnick Giarratano, Rockaway Township Public Library, NJ Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Lozzie, 14, knows she is in big danger after she accidentally hit the Reply All button on an e-mail and sent the whole class a picture of the school bully, Tonya, with her head next to the back end of a horse. At home, Lozzie is dealing with her parents' recent separation, and she worries that her teacher, Mr. Barnett, is hooking up with Mum. What is his dark secret? What happened to his wife? And who is blackmailing him about it? Is it someone at Mum's beauty salon, where clients always spill secrets? Then Lozzie's room is ransacked and her diary is stolen. There is too much over-the-top contrivance with the clues and cover-ups in this British whodunit. But the suspense will hold readers and so will the funny, contemporary detail about teens and adults, whether it is what Lozzie should wear on a date with Oh-My-God-He's-So-Gorgeous Lee or her father's plan to silence the bully forever.--Rochman, Hazel Copyright 2009 Booklist From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.