by Stuart Gibbs
First published 2023
Teddy Fitzroy heads to Malibu with his girlfriend Summer after a kangaroo burns down his house. He expects beach relaxation but finds mystery instead. A dead whale washes ashore and explodes before anyone determines the cause of death. Doc, the FunJungle veterinarian, recruits Teddy and Summer to investigate the suspicious circumstances. Teddy discovers a separate crime involving massive sand theft from local beaches. Meanwhile, paparazzi spread false rumors linking Summer to a celebrity romance. The gossip creates tension between Teddy and Summer, threatening their partnership. Teddy must solve both mysteries while navigating Malibu's celebrity culture. He faces the challenge without Summer's usual support as their relationship becomes strained. The eighth FunJungle adventure tests Teddy's detective skills in unfamiliar territory.
Genres: adventure, mystery, contemporary, young-adult
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, partnership
Setting: Malibu
Period: Contemporary
320 pages · Hardcover · Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers