The Unexplainable disappearance of Mars Patel by Sheela Chari

This book was one of four advance copies kindly supplied by Beachside Bookshop. I was not sure this was a book for me but boy oh boy I was wrong!

I think this quote gives you a good flavour of the story plot:

"Mars listened to the podcast over and over. It made no sense. And yet in some mysterious way it did. Didn't the podcast say before that something big was going to happen? Then something had. Aurora and Jonas were both gone. And now his mom was lying to him. Just where did Ma go on her second shift? Did Oliver know something Mars didn't? Was Oliver trying to warn him?"

Cast of characters:

Mars Patel - born leader; highly intelligent; father missing; mother always working; real name Manu.

Caddie Patchett - special skill sensitivty to the thoughts and emotions of others

JP McGowan - very strong; gender non specific or non binary; asks everyone to use 'they' as a pronoun.

Toothpick - electronics whizz. Real name Randall Lee; nickname Pick.

Jonas Hopkins and Aurora Gershowitz - missing kids

Epica Hermandez - the gang don't like her but she has a huge crush on Toothpick.

Oliver Pruitt runs Pruitt Prep High School. Very few students will pass the GIFT test to enter his school. Is he an evil genius or just a mega rich guy who runs an interesting school?

Mr Q gives us an insight into these kids during detention: "Look, you're not here because you're bad kids. You're here because you're smart kids but you haven't figured out how to stay out of trouble. ... Plus, I see how you treat each other ... and the things you wonder about, and I think you kids are all right."

Think about - The setting which is HG Wells Middle School; Principal Dorena Fagan; Mr Q the mysterious teacher; the use of drones to spy on the kids; and the way school is filled with surveillance cameras.

I also enjoyed the invented email addresses: Saira Patel (Mom) eyesontheprize@zapmail.com; Mr Q (teacher) squartz@hgwellsmiddleschool.org. I also enjoyed the "names" of the kids who comment on Oliver's blog posts: oreocookies; galaxygenuis; lostinlondon; thisismars; wormhole; staryoda; wanna-b.

There is probably an official term for this genre but I am going to call this book a hybrid. There is an actual podcast where you can listen to the mystery; the podcast has a Facebook page; the book itself contains blog posts with comments; text (SMS) messages; emails; and a narrative story line. There are nine short podcast episodes to enjoy but I recommend you wait before listening and read the book first! It was published this month - October 2020.

This terrific start to a book series contains intriguing characters, conspiracy theories, customised drones, holograms and a tantalising mystery that could be leading readers anywhere in this world... or beyond.Shelf Awareness

Slick science, corporate conspiracies, and an endearingly nerdy protagonist make this a fresh, exciting sci-fi adventure. Dogo Books

Who will enjoy this book? The publisher Walker Books US (Candlewick) list this book as 8-12. I think it would be more likely to appeal to an older group of 10-13. There are sure to be sequels.

The format of this book reminded me of  Skeleton Creek which combined web files with the mystery narrative.  I would also pair this book with:

Edsel Grizzler and the Voyage to Verdana

Fans of The Mysterious Benedict society will also enjoy The Unexplainable disappearance of Mars Patel. If you enjoy books based around a diverse group of kids with special talents you might also look for The Unteachables by Gordon Korman.