A treasure hunt. A ticking clock.

One final puzzle.

No one expected friendship to become part of the adventure.

A strange old neighbor. A grieving boy. One final puzzle that could change everything. 

Twelve-year-old Jim Hawkins is tired of starting over. Since his father died, he and his mother have moved for the third time in three years because of his mother’s struggles and Jim would rather disappear into his phone than risk getting attached to anyone again. 

Then he meets Mr. Passeris.

Their newest next door neighbor is a mysterious Greek recluse with a love of puzzles and a crumbling, neglected house. What begins as a miserable summer job mowing Mr. P’s lawn slowly turns into an unlikely friendship and the start of Jim finally finding people who understand him. Through puzzles, lemonade, and bits of Greek language and culture, Mr. P opens Jim’s world in ways he never expected. 

Then Mr. P unexpectedly dies, leaving behind one final cryptic puzzle that sends Jim and his new friends on a thrilling treasure hunt bigger than they ever imagined. As the newly formed Secret Puzzle Society races to uncover Mr. P’s secrets, Jim faces an even bigger problem: his mom may lose her job, forcing them to move yet again. To save the first place that’s begun to feel like home, Jim must solve the final puzzle before time runs out. 

The Westing Game meets The Goonies in this heartfelt middle-grade mystery about friendship, grief, and the puzzles that bring people together.

GENRES

Middle Grade Fiction · Contemporary Middle Grade · Mystery · Puzzle Mystery · Coming-of-Age

THEMES

Friendship · Found family · Loneliness · Grief and healing · Identity · Intergenerational connection · Memory · Emotional resilience · Trust · Community · Moving · Death · Bullying · Fascism · Greek · Greek-American · Puzzles · Mystery · Alcoholism · Depression · Immigration · Refugees · Vietnam · Racism

AUDIENCE

Ages 10–14 · Fans of smart contemporary MG · Puzzle and escape-room enthusiasts · Readers who love emotionally layered books like When You Reach Me · Teachers and librarians looking for discussion-worthy fiction · Parents seeking meaningful books for advanced readers

REVIEWS!

“Who can’t relate to Jim, a kid who’s moved one too many times and lost his dad…? Len Vlahos nails the middle-grade voice, perspective, and pacing. The chapters are shorty, punchy, and get right to the action of Mr. P and his mysterious puzzle… With newfound friends reminiscent of the Goonies and a mystery for Jim and this Secret Puzzle Society pals to solve, The Final Puzzle of Mr. P is sure to be a hit with kid readers. Fans of Gordon Korman will find their new favorite series for sure. Highly recommend for your home or school library.” —Fleur Bradley, author of award-winning mysteries Midnight at the Barclay Hotel and Daybreak on Raven Island