Book Review of The Missing Time Capsule (Latchkey Detectives: Book 1)
The Children’s Book Review
The Missing Time Capsule (Latchkey Detectives: Book 1)
Written by Daisy Kane
Ages: 7-10 | 36 Pages
Publisher: SN Publishing (2025) | ISBN: 979-8991451338
What to Expect: Elementary school mystery, school history, detective teamwork, environmental awareness, and humor.
Four clever after-school students team up to solve a fifty-year-old school mystery when they discover their town’s historic time capsule was stolen right before its scheduled opening.
Lucy, Cece, Max, and Rip are fifth graders who spend their afternoons in their elementary school’s after-school latchkey program. Their ordinary routine is turned upside down when they learn that a time capsule buried by the class of 1975—which was supposed to be opened last year—was mysteriously dug up and stolen the day before its graduation reveal.
Armed with a yellow notepad and a photograph of the original burial day, the self-dubbed “Latchkey Detectives” set out to investigate. From interrogating the school janitor to checking out suspicious local middle-schoolers, their quest leads them to decipher forgotten school history, hidden notes, and a long-lost map. Can the kids piece the clues together and recover the capsule before the trail goes completely cold?
A breezy, engaging, and nostalgic adventure, The Missing Time Capsule is exceptionally well-suited for ages 7–10. Author Daisy Kane does a wonderful job of maintaining a natural narrative voice, backed by authentic dialogue that perfectly captures the playful banter, sibling rivalries, and dramatic expressions of elementary school kids. The plot transitions seamlessly from one clue to the next, maintaining a steady, logical progression that keeps young readers hooked. Kane excels at showing rather than telling—using rich sensory details to bring environments like Mrs. Clark’s beautiful retirement patio to life, and describing physical gestures to convey character emotions.
The Missing Time Capsule is an enjoyable, fast-paced chapter book that serves as a fantastic introduction to the mystery genre—perfect for kids who love a good puzzle, fans of classic neighborhood adventure groups, and educators looking for an engaging read-aloud for their classrooms.
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About the Author
Daisy Kane has been telling stories since before she can remember. She was 12-years-old when she attempted her first book, which she admits makes her cringe to read today. She’s worn many hats over the years as a wife, mother and now grandmother, but she’s never stopped writing.
Although the calendar says she’s 65 years old, Daisy refuses to let that stop her from going after her dream and decided to publish her first romantic comedy, Nanny in Training, with the Billionaire Daddy Series, 2025.
When Daisy isn’t writing or running around after grandchildren, she spends her time reading, gardening, or binge-watching true crime shows.
