Fine read, good morals, but includes mild amounts of drugs and child abuse.
Plot
Note: Co-authored with Chris Fabry.
In his desire to report a driver for nearly running him off the road, Bryce comes across some fishy evidence pointing to something big. Meanwhile, Ashley is wrapped up in dealing with conflict concerning students' participation in See You at the Pole and trying to understand the school bully.
Morality
Bryce and Ashley, for the most part, are fine kids with a great sense of morality. However, there are a couple cases in which they hold back information from their parents. The bad guys are clearly portrayed as such.
Bryce reaches out to a younger kid in need of help, but admits to not thinking of the school bully as a person; Ashley understands that knowing the bully's past won't change his behavior but that hers should change toward him.
The question of illegal immigrants is raised.
The twins' sleuthing activities are highly ill-advised and should not be repeated by readers.
Spiritual Content
Bryce, Ashley, and their mom are Christians. Ashley especially has a heart for those who do not believe and thus wants to be a good witness to them; she also deals with the question of walking the walk. The twins have their own run-ins with non-believers and stand up for what they believe in.
Christian students observe See You at the Pole.
Violence
We get a glimpse of some child abuse (a hungry girl locked in a closet and a boy who is hit and yelled at). Some people left in a truck trailer could have died, though none do. An intentional fire endangers two lives. Ashley reads about a deadly car accident. Bryce has an ATV accident, but is unharmed.
Drug and Alcohol Content
There is evidence of drug production. Ashley overhears a song on the radio about a guy selling drugs to kids.
Sexual Content
None.
Crude or Profane Language or Content
Unrecorded curses are heard. One character mentions "tossed" Gatorade.
Conclusion
A fine story with things to say about rights, morals, and living the Christian life to the best of one's abilities. However, this mystery also deals with non-explicit drug production, drug use, and child abuse; reader discretion is advised.
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