Boy Detective #1

When Dan Tayler spots a mysterious broker named John Billings at police headquarters, something clicks—the man's mannerisms match those of Lefty Riccardi, the notorious killer who supposedly died years ago in a fiery crash. Determined to prove his hunch, Dan shadows Billings and uncovers a dangerous secret that puts him face-to-face with the underworld's inner circle. Trapped in the hands of a ruthless criminal who once murdered his father, the sixteen-year-old boy detective must rely on his wits and courage to survive.

When Dan Tayler goes undercover at the exclusive Trask School for Boys, he discovers something far darker than a traditional education: a criminal academy where wealthy youths are systematically broken down and trained in robbery, blackmail, and violence—then exploited through blackmail for life. With the help of fellow students Peter Dexter, Reggie Pearson, and Stephen Hilton, and coordinating with Sgt. Gargon and Capt. Elliot outside the walls, Dan must orchestrate a daring plan to bring down the school's ruthless proprietors and expose their vicious operation.

When Dan Tayler's economics class visits the Statue of Liberty, the young detective stumbles upon a gruesome discovery: a scientist's body in the torch with a mysterious throat wound—but no weapon, no fingerprints, and no clear way the killer could have reached the spot during a locked-down island. As Dan pieces together clues from the morgue to newspaper headlines, he identifies the victim as Dr. Albert Kenton, a jet expert, and uncovers a sinister connection to smugglers aboard a docked freighter. With Sgt. Gargon at his side, Dan must unravel why these criminals wanted the scientist dead before they silence him for good.

When Judge Richard Ames and Mrs. Ames head out for the evening, brothers Rusty and Dusty hear a mysterious noise downstairs—and discover a young burglar named Joe who's been recruited by a small-time crook named Mike to steal from their home. After befriending Joe with food and kindness, the twins convince him to help them turn the tables on Mike instead. What unfolds is a battle of wits and courage as the boys work to protect their home and give a troubled kid a genuine second chance.