Very fun addition to Derwin Hicks’ previous books! I enjoyed the mystery and also the awesome art history!

This is the third book in the Lost Art Mystery series. Fortunately, this reads as a stand alone with a singular mystery plot and the other books do not need to be read to enjoy it. There may have been small nuances of the characters that may have been lost from not reading the other two but overall it isn't required.

The MC's, Art and Camille, travel to London in search for Camille's missing father. It doesn't take long for them to find themselves caught up in another mystery and a grand heist involving a member of the royal family. A member who has been dead for a while. Blending real places and real art work into an easy to read, action packed story.

The educational aspect of this was really enjoyable for me but it wasn't so over the top that it detracted from the thrill of the adventure for kids who aren't looking for a lesson but are looking for a fun story with a wild plot. This would also be perfect for kids learning about England, the history of London, art work, or about to travel to London.

Art and Camille have been able to count on each other through many adventures. And now Camille wants to meet her father for the first time, so Art is definitely going to be by her side. But when they go to meet him Camille's father is missing. When they go investigate where he is they find a stolen historical object and a clue to a mystery that he might be trying to solve. Art and Camille start to unravel the mystery, traveling all over London to solve it. Hopefully they can solve it before it is too late.
This book is perfect for middle grade history loving mystery readers. Art and Camille have a wonderful friendship. If your kid likes movies like Night at the Museum and National Treasure they will really enjoy this book.

Camille and Art are back to solve another art-related mystery. This time, they're in London chasing down clues to find a lost king's crown.

The Crown Heist is a clever book for young readers. The mystery unravels at a good pace and there's plenty of action to keep even reluctant readers entertained. In addition to the excitement and the clever mystery, The Crown Heist is filled with historical facts that are both entertaining and educational.

Even as an older reader, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to young readers!

The Crown Heist is the third Lost Art Mystery for middle grade readers by Deron Hicks. Released 16th Nov 2021 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt on their Clarion imprint, it's 303 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a well told action-filled art and history mystery for middle grade readers. The story reminded me in some ways of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler with a dash of Archibald Finch and a pinch of Dan Brown's Langdon mysteries (although both the kids in The Crown Heist strike me as a lot more intelligent and well organized than Langdon ever did).

The previous books were set in Washington DC, and this installment sees them traveling to London and soon involved in a dangerous centuries old mystery. The story contains QR code links throughout which lead to museums and historical buildings throughout London with background historical information for keen readers. It's a cool feature.

Although the mystery is self contained in this volume, I recommend reading the series books in order to get the necessary backstory.

Four stars. This would be a good choice for public or school library acquisition and home use.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

A heist mystery with a large dose of art appreciation. Full of details about places in and around London as well as facts about well known and lesser known works of art. Fans of both art and of complex mysteries will find a welcome escape in this fun romp.

The Crown Heist is a middle grade mystery. As a homeschool mom, I loved that it was based around art and artifacts. My 5th and 6th grade boys had a hard time getting into this book. The mystery aspect was good but it just fell a little flat and didn’t hold their attention. We got about 50% in and they said didn’t want me to read any more. I thought it was okay but I love art. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Thank you NetGalley for the Digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

When 12yr old Camille visits London for the first time, she did not expect to drop into a deadly treasure hunt for an ancient royal coronet. Good thing that she invited her best friend Art to come along.
Another action packed page turning adventure for Camille and Art.

I personally loved The Crown Heist. While it is a book that I would happily adopt into my classroom to help students learn more about art history and historical landmarks, it is a book I enjoyed reading at my leisure. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series as this was the first book I read from this author. I was especially impressed with the included QR codes that can be used to experience the book in a new way. I would suggest this to classroom teachers to read during down-time but it is still simple enough for kids to enjoy on their own.

A little bit Spy School and a little but City Spies, this new book will capture the interest of both mystery fans and kids who love Art.

Deron Hicks is a master of suspense! In this fast-paced art mystery, Camille & Art are in a race to solve the riddles to find an historical crown before their nemesis does. Intriguing information about history and art is woven through, and QR codes reveal the art. Incredible, satisfying; reading this will leave you breathless, and with your heart pounding til the end!

I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

The Crown Heist is the third book in a middle grade mystery series that focuses on art history. The main characters, Art and Camille, are best friends who have had a lot of previous experience with art-related adventures. In this story, Camille is traveling to England to meet her estranged father for the first time. Art is going along to support his friend.


Before father and daughter meet, Camille’s dad is drawn into a desperate search for a historical artifact where failure is not an option. Art and Camille go looking for him, and inadvertently uncover clues that get them entangled in the hunt as well. Their quest leads them to various historical sites in London as they try to solve the clues and recover the artifact.

I gave The Crown Heist five stars on Goodreads. I recommend it for all young readers, and for older readers who enjoy children’s books. The subject matter is not “dumbed down” at all, which results in a book that can be enjoyed by adult readers and children alike. Our local library has the prior books in the series available, so I will be reading and reviewing those as well.

The Crown Heist is the third book in the series and my first read. Even without reading the first two books this story keeps the reader engaged and on their toes through out the whole story. I really enjoyed the QR codes embedded in the story to see all the art and places the adventure took the readers. Camille is 12 and is about to meet her father for the first time. When he doesn't show up at the airport Camille just knows something is not right. Camille and her best friend Art follow the clues and try to save her father while solving a historical mystery.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC for an honest review.

A real thriller; an excellent read.

With flavours of a Dan Brown-style historical thriller, we follow Camille and Art as they travel to London to meet Camille's father for the first time. However, when they arrive, she is disappointed as her father is not there to meet her - supposedly called away for work. Art and Camille set about trying to find out about her father: visiting his house; Art discovering that he is a famous historian; and, then, discovering a centuries old hourglass with a riddle etched on the glass. From there, they uncover a web of connections across London and the surrounding area, linking Camille's father with a potentially dangerous world. They have to help him.

A really fun read, with real tension, and an excellent focus on historical detail.

Though The Crown Heist is the third book in Hicks’ series, it’s the first one I’ve read. Having started mid-series, I thought I might get lost, but Hicks offers enough background — without getting bogged down in it — that you end up with a sense of déjà vu. Everything feels a bit familiar, but you can’t quite place things.

It’s that sense of familiarity that helps you slide right into the story. Camille and Art are engaging characters that feel comfortable within their surroundings.

And boy are their surroundings cool.

The absolute stars of The Crown Heist are the art and architecture set against their historical backdrop. The settings are magnificent, and Hicks absolutely transports readers to a different place, and sometimes a different time.

Add in a mystery and a heist happening simultaneously and you’ve got the formula for an entertaining read. The Crown Heist is a fast-moving adventure that made me want to go back and read the first two books in the series. It should appeal to a wide array of readers.

This is a Middle Grade Mystery, and this is the third book in the Lost Art Mysteries series. I have to start off by saying I really wanted to love this book, but I just could not get into this book. I ended up DNFing this book at just over 50%. The writing style of this book was not for me. I did find the mystery parts good, but the characters did not pop for me. The characters being flat and the writing style of this book just made it a book not for me. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Clarion Books) or author (Deron R. Hicks) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

Camille & Art are off to London and while there, stumble into a riddle. The dad she has never met is missing and who better to find him then his daughter? I loved the journey through some of London's famous structures but found the story somewhat confusing at times. I did enjoy the various art forms discussed in the story.


I enjoyed this free copy of #TheCrownHeist from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in return for an honest review.

I think that middle grade readers will enjoy this fast-paced adventure through London with Art and Camille. Some of the clues are a bit tricky for middle grade readers to understand but I don't think it gets in the way of the story. There were some unexpected twists and turns (even one I didn't see coming!). This is also a great way to virtually explore some amazing sights in London...National Portrait Gallery, Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Windsor Castle, and more!

Although this is the third book in a series, I think it could be read as a stand-alone.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book was an interesting, amazing thrill ride, that I couldn't help but adore! It was interewsting, and included lating and lots of interesting historical tidbits and pieces of knowlege that were very interesting! It was a cool mystery, and I definetly reccomend if you like mystery middle garde books. You also don't need to read the rest of the books in order to read and understand this one too. 5/5 stars from me!

I would like to preface this review with I had previously never read any book from this series. That being said. I was pleasantly surprised to realize that reading the past books was not necessary. Art and Camille are swept up into a mystery when Camille goes to England to meet with her estranged dad for the first time. Upon reaching England she fines that her father is missing. Instead of believing that he would abandon her a second time, Camille looks for answers as to where he might have gone. A visit to her father's house and a mysterious riddle written inside of a hourglass send Art and Camille on a chase to find her father and help him find a long lost relic.

Overall this was a really good middle grade book. Perfect pacing and very easy to get sucked into. I am really excited to recommend this book to to any middle reader looking for a mystery or an adventure. I might even look into reading the other books in this series.

Thank you so much Clarion Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy.