Ages 6 – 9Book 1 · The Mortimer & Whiskers Mysteries
The Ninth Street Mystery
A chapter-book mystery for brave young readers — with a jittery mouse, a know-it-all cat, and a door that should not be glowing.
Why parents keep buying it
A mystery kids beg to keep reading.
A mystery they can actually solve
Clues build chapter by chapter so young readers feel like real detectives — not just spectators.
Made to be read aloud
Short chapters, punchy dialogue, and natural cliffhangers. Bedtime reading that doesn't drag.
A duo kids fall for
A nervous mouse and a way-too-confident cat. The friendship is the heart of the series.
Inside the book
A peek between the covers
Chapter 1 — The door that wouldn't stay shut.
Is it right for your reader?
Built for 6 to 9, loved a little older too.
A friendly first mystery for early independent readers — and a cozy read-aloud for kids who aren't quite there yet.
"My 7-year-old asked for ‘just one more chapter' four nights in a row. That never happens."
— Megan R., parent
"A delicious gateway mystery — Saraco writes kids the way kids actually talk."
— School Library Roundup
"Our second-grade book club voted it the favorite of the year."
— Ms. Patel, classroom teacher
What readers are saying
1,240 reviews and counting.
1,240 Amazon reviews
Instantly a bedtime favorite
Funny, warm, and just spooky enough. My kid keeps trying to guess the next clue.
Great for reluctant readers
Short chapters and big illustrations kept my 8-year-old turning pages on his own.
Charming illustrations
David R. Martinez's art is the perfect match. We're already pre-ordering book two.
Meet the author
Frank Saraco
Frank writes the kind of small, brave mysteries he wished he'd had as a kid. He lives in Brooklyn with his family, two very opinionated cats, and a typewriter that's seen better days.
Fun fact: the original "Mortimer" was a stuffed mouse he carried through second grade.
Visit Frank's site →Book details
- Reading age
- 6 – 9 years
- Grade level
- 1 – 4
- Lexile measure
- 620L
- Print length
- 144 pages
- Language
- English
- Publisher
- Writeway Publishing
- Publication date
- March 12, 2024
- ISBN-13
- 978-1-23456-789-0
- Dimensions
- 5.5 × 0.4 × 8.25 in
- Weight
- 7.2 oz
Add a little mystery to bedtime.
Hardcover, paperback, and Kindle — shipped fast from Amazon.