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Review: Fowl Play

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By Kristin O'Donnell Tubb
New York: Katherine Tegen Books, 2024. Fiction 277 pages.

Still reeling from her beloved uncle's death, Chloe Alvarez is comforted and confused when at his last will and testament reading, Uncle Will gifts her his African Grey parrot, Charlie. Charlie has a robust vocabulary and loves to make Alexa requests for her favorite songs, but when she starts saying things like, "homicide," and "cyanide," Chloe becomes convinced that Uncle Will may have met his demise by murder instead of a genetic disease, as was previously thought. Ultimately, bringing in her brother, Grammy, and Uncle Frank (and of course Charlie,) Chloe's ragtag and adoring family support her search for answers ---going on stakeouts, engaging in fast pursuits, and searching for clues. But as the suspects stack up and the mystery grows, Chole will learn that the process of death and grieving is complicated, and in the end her Uncle Will's words that, "Family is wonderous," are the truest of all.

Fowl Play is an engaging new take on the kid detective trope that adds layers of depth to the grieving process, while also inserting enough light-hearted (and frequently funny) moments that tweens won't be overwhelmed with melancholy. Chole is a relatable protagonist whose journey to uncover the truth will leave readers with a warm, fuzzy feeling. 

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