BOOKS: Mystery book has action-packed ending

• BOOK: 'Turkey Trouble'

In “Turkey Trouble at the National Mall,” young sleuths KC and Marshall must find out who stole 117 live turkeys who were pardoned by Congress. (Submitted photo)

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Every year, the president of the United States pardons a turkey. But KC (the stepdaughter of the president) has a better idea. Why not ask members of Congress to pardon their turkeys, too?

“Turkey Trouble on the National Mall,” by Ron Roy, follows the fictitious KC as her idea takes off.

Before long, 117 live turkeys are in a pen on the National Mall, waiting to be taken to a life of peace at Mount Vernon.

But trouble begins with a protest from Barney Gibble, the leader of EET (Eat Every Turkey). Next, all 117 turkeys disappear. They have been stolen. The obvious suspect is the leader of EET. But what about the workers at Creative Pizza, the place that suddenly decides to run a huge special on turkey pizza? KC and her best friend, Marshall, investigate the possibilities, but uncover the culprit in an unlikely place.

“Turkey Trouble on the National Mall” has an action-packed ending, involving a pickup truck, counterfeit money and a rope.

But this is also a cerebral book. In the thick of the plot, KC and Marshall are forced to do careful thinking, especially when they uncover an email from France.

Obviously, the book is fiction. The president and vice president bear no relation to today’s political figures. However, the real-life back drops include the Capitol building and the Smithsonian castle.

The only downfall of the fiction/nonfiction mix is the connection of the missing turkeys with the avian flu in Europe. Although it creates a great plot twist, it presents a rather careless look at a serious health problem.

Other nonfiction elements are treated more thoroughly. At the end of the book, author Ron Roy includes a “Did You Know?” section about the history of turkey pardoning. According to some sources, the first turkey pardon was granted by Lincoln at the request of his son, Tad.

“Turkey Trouble at the National Mall” is Roy’s 14th book in the Capital Mysteries series.

“Turkey Trouble on the National Mall.” By Ron Roy. Illustrated by Timothy Bush. Random House, 2012. 96 pp.

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