With a large cast of characters and an intricate game and a puzzling mystery, Raskin's novel is so deftly composed, cunningly plotted, and briskly paced, such the reader is constantly jumping back to make sure they haven;t missed something - they usually haven't, it's all there. I'm not sure I've ever read a kids' book that that could challenge most adult books for complexity of plot, yet it all skims along lightly until the final unexpected twists and satisfying turns. A small masterpiece, perhaps even a work of witty genius.