"Drew Leclair Crushes the Case" by Katryn Bury

Review by Lorie Lewis Ham

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of this book, and the first book in the series, along with a link to purchase the new one. At a time when so many LGBTQIA books are being banned in our schools, I think it is extremely important to support these books and their authors.

Drew Leclair Crushes the Case is the second book in this middle-grade mystery series featuring amateur sleuth Drew Leclair. Drew is a mix of Harriet the Spy and her namesake Nancy Drew. She has a love of true crime and a desire to be an FBI profiler when she grows up. Drew shares this love of true crime with her father, whom she is especially close to now that her mother has left them (see first book).


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Image Source Harper Collins
In the first book, Drew got in trouble for breaking the rules to solve her case, so she is determined now to get good grades, stay out of trouble, and not get suspended—so no more cases. However, when a case basically falls in her lap, what is she to do? She tries to resist, but the victim, Zora, is the crush of one of her best friends, Shrey, and he begs her to take it. Not only was a very precious bracelet of Zora’s stolen, but a ransom note has been left inside one of her holds at the school library. As Drew investigates, she finds out that a lot of students have had items stolen from their PE lockers lately. Together with her friends, Shrey and Trissa, they set out to find the thief.

As if all of that wasn’t enough, Drew’s mother is visiting—Drew is filled with a mix of emotions over this including anger and being hurt over the fact her mother left them. Drew is also dealing with the fact that her friends all now seem to be interested in relationships and she isn’t sure if she ever will be. Drew knows that she is bi, but just doesn’t feel any desire to kiss anyone, until…I’m going to leave that one hanging so you can discover it as Drew does in the book. Drew also deals with chronic illness and anxiety.

This is a delightful book for anyone, middle grade on up. I have to admit I have never read a middle-grade mystery so I wasn’t sure what I would think but I thoroughly enjoyed it! I agreed to review it because of the LGBTQ side of the story, and I am so very glad I said yes. It not only has a solid mystery, but wonderful realistic and diverse characters. I especially loved Drew’s relationship with her father. If you are looking for something for your kids, or  even something for yourself, that involves a crime more on the lighter side, I highly recommend Drew Leclair Crushes the Case

 To enter to win copies of both Drew Leclair Crushes the Case and Drew Leclair Gets a Clue, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "Drew,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen October 7, 2023. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like. 

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! A new episode went up this week.

You can use this link to purchase the book or click here. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:

Lorie Lewis Ham is our Editor-in-Chief and a contributor to various sections, coupling her journalism experience with her connection to the literary and entertainment worlds. Explore Lorie's mystery writing including her latest mystery novel One of Us, a Tower District Mystery, at Mysteryrat's Closet.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.

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