New York: Alfred A. Knopf, (2013) dj. SIGNED hardcover first edition - An offbeat new book by this Newbery winning author - "an imaginative blend of mystery and adventure, the first of a proposed trilogy. We begin with twelve-year-old Maximilian Sterling's very theatrical parents mysteriously disappearing, leaving him in the care of his grandmother. What follows is not what I expected--a wonderful surprise. While waiting for news of his parents, Max stumbles into detective work that he calls the job of "solutioneer," because sometimes there is more to finding a solution than simply retrieving what has been lost. MaxÕs theatrical upbringing serves him well, with disguises and personas that are often comical and always exactly what is needed to get the job done." SIGNED on the title page. Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno, 371 pp plus an excerpt from Max's next adventure. ISBN: 9780307976819.