From Publishers Weekly Mick and Izzie must come up with a plan: no one wants the proposed hotel built on the site of the deserted movie studio in West Hinchley. Mick's home would be torn down, and Izzie's father would continue to be out of work. The two boys are exploring the old building when they stumble upon the Disguise Gang, the infamous thieves who have been committing robberies all over London. Courage and quick thinking enable the pair to capture the criminals and help their families at the same time. The author of numerous adult novels, Follet's suspenseful, quick-paced mystery for middle readers contains a detailed, credible plot containing enough facts to challenge, but not baffle, young sleuths. Marchesi's black-and-white illustrations capably highlight the most exciting moments of the boys' adventures. Ages 8-up. Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. From School Library Journal Grade 5-7-- Follett's effort at addressing a juvenile audience misses the mark. Mick and Izzie become friends despite the fact that Mick's family is extremely poor, while Izzie's middle-class family has fallen on hard times. They decide to investigate the now-abandoned film studio in which Izzie's father used to work, and stumble onto robbers who have been holding up local banks dressed in costumes and wearing stage make-up. Naturally, all ends well. The premise of robbers using professional studio make-up and costumes is interesting, as are the boys' efforts to help their parents out of financial problems. However, Follett has failed to develop either his plot or his characters to a degree that they are real or believeable. Most readers will find themselves either looking back in the text or going to the flap copy to follow the plot. One never gains any understanding of how Izzie's father plans to finance the film studio he has decided to buy. A book that fails on all levels. --Kenneth E. Kowen, Atascocita Middle School Library, Humble, TXCopyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
