Shasha and Wally Watson Vs. The Faker is a children's and preteens' mystery novel written and illustrated by Ted Kelsey. Wally is a ten-year-old kid who is just a bit different than his older sister, Shasha, and the other kids in his class. He counts -- everything -- even the number of pieces in a puzzle when he already knows the answer, and he knows just how many steps it takes to go to about anywhere in town. Wally also observes everything that’s around him and finds it troubling that there’s an awful lot of things to worry about, such as his backpack opening up on the way to school. What he fears most, however, is disappearing, and it almost happened when he and Shasha started investigating the most strange circumstances behind the evil deeds of the Ghost Burglar and the missing diamonds. It all started when a rather peculiar and repellent police officer came to their house to ask for help in finding a missing girl. Shasha instantly knew something was off with him, and Wally was spooked by the officer’s flat black eyes.

Ted Kelsey’s mystery novel for children and preteens, Shasha and Wally Watson Vs. The Faker, had me quickly involved in trying to solve the mystery of the missing girl and puzzled by the unpleasant-smelling Faker, who seemed to appear in the most unexpected places. I was pleased to find a kindred spirit in Wally as I too count steps, tiles, and even articles of clothing as I put them on, and generally find the world of numbers a very comforting and natural place to be in. I enjoyed seeing how Shasha and Wally are able to combine their particular talents into a formidable and enterprising detecting team. Kelsey’s story is first-rate entertainment for readers of all ages, and his illustrations are deliciously abstract and humorous all at once. Will there be further villains for this crime-fighting duo to track down? I hope so. Shasha and Wally Watson Vs. The Faker is highly recommended.

Shasha and Wally Watson Vs The Faker by Ted Kelsey is a fun, witty and very interesting children's mystery. We are introduced to a wide range of characters such as Wally, Shasha, Granddad, Alice, Rose and The Faker, as well as an amazing cat called Cheshire. Solving a mystery is right up Shasha's alley as she wants to be a world famous detective when she grows up, so when the case of the missing girl arrives at her door, she cannot wait to solve it. Granddad was a reporter and has his own ideas about the missing girl. Wally is an amazing little boy who sees the world in numbers, but he also seems to be able to see things others cannot. Meeting The Faker makes Shasha and Wally want to find Alice and they find themselves trying to solve two mysteries at once with unexpected results.

I actually found myself really enjoying Shasha and Wally Watson Vs The Faker by Ted Kelsey. I found all the characters to be interesting and lovable, even The Faker. I found myself looking forward to reading more of the story. I do not fall into the age group this is for, but I still found it very enjoyable. I read some of it out loud to my daughter and she loved it. Each character was easy to tell apart even if the book had not said who was talking. I found myself laughing out loud while reading and at other times worrying about what Wally and Shasha were getting themselves into.