It's complicated to explain what this book is about but here goes: A genius named Preston Oglethorpe who can set events in motion goes missing. Sixth graders Frankie, Olliver and new girl Matilda are inadvertently involved because Olliver is being tailed by a Town Car. Olliver's mother meets a new man who is using her to get to Preston. And certain parents are connected to Preston in an interesting way. The events of this mystery puzzle show up randomly, much like pouring out the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Eventually, one piece connects to another and another and another until the reader gets a grasp of what's going on. (Although I know I was going back and rereading passages to figure out where I was.) In the tradition of puzzle novels like "The Westing Game," "The Parker Inheritance," and "Under the Egg." ( )