The people in this book are jerks. The narrator is a push-over, the baby mama is selfish, possibly psychotic (but don't you dare say anything bad because she's family!), and the token conservative friend seems like an afterthought.

The main problem is that Frankel took an anecdote - three graduate students band together to raise a baby - and tried to turn it into a novel. There was a lot of unnecessary padding, including long tirades about how haaaaard it is to be a grad student. Lady Author, I know. I've been there. (But, also, don't kid yourself, higher education is a privilege and if you've lost sight of that, it's time for you to get a real job. One that doesn't allow for so much blissed out yoga and running with cute boys.) It doesn't make for interesting reading.

Neither does it help that Frankel felt the need to spell out her novel's (prosaic) moral in painstaking detail every three pages. Gimme a break. This isn't Uncle Tom's Cabin!

Like Roald Dahl's Matilda before her, Theodosia Throckmorton can't get any respect. At the young age of eleven she already has a formidable knowledge of Egyptian theology and black magic but her parents are too consumed with running their museum of antiquities to notice. Even worse, the elder Throckmortons often unwittingly place themselves in harm's way, forcing Theodosia to rescue them (but always behind the scenes in order to spare their pride.) I think kids will love the many jabs at adults' apparent cluelessness. After all, what child hasn't pondered how life would be better if only they were in charge? Theodosia's adventures are not only thrilling, they're wish fulfillment - i.e. what theoretically would happen if a bright kid was afforded with the perfect venue for their talents?

Unfortunately LaFevers isn't quite successful in capturing the voice of a young Edwardian girl. She makes a good effort to insert period expressions into the text but a strong (contemporary) American twang remains. I didn't think this marred the story at all but, if that type of thing bugs you, you've been warned.

Oh, also, look up the meaning of the name "Theodosia" if you're not familiar. I did so on a whim and thought it was a clever choice, given the book's subject matter.

It's mischievous Junie B. Jones's first day of kindergarten and she hates having to ride the "stupid smelly bus" back and forth from the school building. So, when it's time to leave for the day, she stows away in a storage closet to avoid the trip home. Once everyone is gone, she make the best use of her new freedom. This first book in the Jones series demonstrates why Park's books are so popular with transitional readers. Jones's irrepressible voice is reminiscent of a young child's and her experiences in kindergarten will make the transitional reader feel like a "big kid" because they're several years older and know the ropes. Technically, the sentences are longer than an easy reader but still short enough for a beginning reader to digest easily. The chapters are all less than ten pages and the story lines are simple and straightforward. A quick moving pace will hold readers' interest.

Lewis and Shahi have great chemistry and Arkin is a scene stealing sidekick. The episodes are well written and feature original cases that keep your interest. The on-going investigation into how Lewis's character was framed adds an additional layer of suspense. Recommended for fans of BONES, CASTLE, or, to a lesser extent, MONK.

MAD MEN fans will enjoy the cameo appearances by Christina Hendricks.

Lewis and Shahi have great chemistry and Arkin is a scene stealing sidekick. The episodes are well written and feature original cases that keep your interest. The on-going investigation into how Lewis's character was framed adds an additional layer of suspense. Recommended for fans of BONES, CASTLE, or, to a lesser extent, MONK. MAD MEN fans will enjoy Christina Hendricks' cameo appearances.

You can tell, however, that the show was struggling. (The second season was its last.) Production "improvements" to attract viewers are prominent. Between the first and second season Shahi suddenly has a sexier wardrobe and the number of bedroom scenes increases. But, if you can laugh this pandering off, you'll find a fun and unique cop show, worthy of your time.