Book Description

In the tradition of the great detective novels, Henni keeps a journal of the events on Stella Street, recounted with a battalion of zany, 11-year-old truths and insights. When the Phonies move into 45 Stella Street, the neighborhood is in for a shake-up, explains Henni. Former occupant Auntie Lillie's open-door welcome becomes Mr. and Mrs. Phonies' magazine house of swanky new appliances. Keep away! The Phonies, through their attorneys, launch an artillery of snottily outrageous, litigious letters at the friendly folks at 47 Stella Street, complaining about garbage-rummaging, blocked driveways, and a fence -- for being painted magenta! Zev, Henni, Danielle and Frank feel as ff the sun has stopped shining on Stella Street.Then, when the kids are called in for questioning over a case of arson at the Phonies', the goodies smell a rat and turn into super-sleuths. Their energetic clue-collecting romp -- which investigates the Phonies' new, new car, a keen interest in satellite soccer games and a foreign receipt for an expensive purchase in francs (not Franks!) -- uncovers a worldwide money-laundering scheme. Hot on the scent of Mrs. Phonie's putrid perfume, the kids wrap up the case with an outlandish disguise-and-chase scene at the international airport. A highly inventive, funny whirlwind of a story, narrated with great charm by 11-year-old Henni.