“STOP! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!”

These are the words with which Pseudonymous Bosch begins the book The Name of This Book is Secret. This is no ordinary mystery book. So secret is this book that not only is the name of the book a secret, but so are the characters’ names, and everything else in it. Why? For the safety of those people, of course. With that said, the information shared here will be limited. But do not think that what I’m saying is being influenced by Pseudonymous Bosch to make this book sound good in any way. (si ti)

Providing the same type of offbeat humor as Lemony Snicket, this debut novel from a pseudonymous writer is equal parts suspense-filled adventure, supernatural whodunit, and mysterious fun.

The story follows an unlikely duo of 11-year-olds. Cassandra, the main female protagonist, is an extreme survivalist (in training) and must face a great threat that she has never faced before. Greater than any hurricane or tornado, she now must investigate the death of magician Pietro Bergamo, using the mysterious Symphony of Smells.

Max Ernest, the male protagonist, is much like your everyday boy, except for the fact that his parents live in a house split in two and avoid contact with each other. So deep is this argument between the two that they could not decide what to call their son, hence the double first name “Max Ernest.”

And although at first glance Pietro and Max Ernest seem like basic child characters, hidden deep in the author’s words are the children’s mental disorders and their very different personalities.

Max Ernest, who suffers from various disorders, including ADHD, can never bring himself to shut up, and the cause is obviously his parents’ early divorce. With the departure of Cass’s dad at a very young age, she becomes a survivalist to fill those gaps of “protection” and “independence” due to her lack of a father figure.

Taking these factors into account, it seems strange that they would make such a good team. Because they are such quirky characters, they introduce an element of humor to the book … no matter how awkward it might be.

The narrator’s playful voice is, at times, annoying. For instance, stopping in the middle of a chapter to tell the reader that he can no longer write, followed by a “never mind” because he just ate a chocolate bar, can sometimes get to you. This is the only negative part in the book, in my opinion. However, it actually adds to it, in a weird way. So mad this gets you that you think to yourself, “I’m going to keep reading just to show this guy!”

Lastly, the combination of engaging characters, the unusual plot, and yes, the narrator, makes The Name of This Book is Secret a delight to read. But after you finish it, be sure to keep the secret!