Johnny tries to think of a way to make money when the landlord raises the rent but he causes problems with his scheme. When the local doctor and his wife leave town, Johnny's mom is out of a job. When the doctor is found murdered Johnny's mom becomes the only suspect because of what others perceive of odd behavior. Now it is up to Johnny and Mr. Hutchinson to clear his mother.

I enjoyed this book. Johnny tries his best to help out but it does not work out as he planned. When his mother is accused of murder, no one will listen to him or believe in her innocence. Johnny has to deal with a lot of garbage. I like that it is set in the late 1920's. The period comes through very well. A lot was happening in the world that affected Johnny and his mother. I learned more about this period.

I figured out why the murder was committed but not who until it was explained at the end. The mystery kept my interest. The secondary characters were interesting. Some I disliked. Others I liked. I will be reading more of this author. ( )

The title character, Johnny, hates being short, so when he sees an advert in the newspaper that promises the secret to tallness he steals some money off his mum to send away for the secret. Unfortunately this is a con, but it gives Johnny an idea for his own money-making scheme to help pay back the money he stole and to help his mum pay the rent. He places his own adverts in the paper to trick people into sending him money. Some of his adverts were really clever and funny, and even though he was technically breaking the law I really wanted his plans to work.

Later on the focus of the book shifts as a murder is committed and Johnny's mum is the prime suspect. Johnny knows he must clear his mum's name, even if it means risking getting into trouble himself.

The book is set in 1929 and a lot of the story is centred around Tuberculosis and the treatment of the disease. This historical aspect made for interesting reading and I certainly learned some facts about TB that I didn't know before. But the book is so much more than just a historical story, it's a fun mystery story with a fantastic character who I couldn't help but love. ( )

In 1929 England, eleven-year-old Johnny Swanson helps his widowed mother by starting a newspaper advertising scam, which leads him to a real-life murder mystery that places his mother in mortal danger. ( )

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