"It's everyday business when Wattles, the San Fernando Valley's top 'executive crook,' sets up a hit. He establishes a chain of criminals to pass along the instructions and the money, thereby ensuring that the hitter doesn't know who hired him. Then one day Wattles finds his office safe open and a single item missing: the piece of paper on which he has written the names of the crooks in the chain. When people associated with the chain begin to pop...

In Brooklyn, New York, twelve-year-old dog-walker Maggie, aided by her twin brother Finn and best friend Lucy, investigates someone she believes is stealing pets.

The essential facts of ten mysteries are presented, giving the reader the opportunity to solve the cases before examining the boy detective's solutions.