Ayoh - Shop now
$4.99 with 67 percent savings
Print List Price: $14.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.
Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Rosalind Barden
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Cannibal Caper: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery Kindle Edition

by Rosalind Barden (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 29 ratings
Mad Cannibal Terrorizes Downtown!

Orphaned 11-year-old amateur girl sleuth Sparky returns in another noirish adventure, set in the sketchy milieu of 1930s Bunker Hill in downtown Los Angeles.

The clock is ticking as Sparky tries to track down stolen precious jewels . . . while, at the same time, a gourmet cannibal is on the loose in the city, seeking new prey. Just who is this devious diner?

As the suspect count escalates, Sparky’s protector, the former silent-movie star Tootsie, is oblivious to the danger. She’s too busy getting Sparky back to school. No! Meanwhile, with her stalwart pal Bobby out of town, Sparky finds herself sometimes annoyed, sometimes fascinated by the mysterious boy who works in a most peculiar pet shop.

With so much crime and so little time, can Sparky avoid being collared for the caper—and elude being the next item on the dining menu!—by uncovering the identity of the cannibal?

Rosalind Barden’s follow-up to the bestselling The Cold Kid Case is a fast-paced, unforgettable romp through Depression-era downtown Los Angeles.

#1 Amazon New Release The Cold Kid Case is the first Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery and winner of multiple accolades, including the Firebird Book Award 1st Place for Cozy Mysteries. This zany, 1930s historical mystery series with a most unlikely amateur sleuth is a fun read for tween to grownup fans of historical cozy mysteries and historical fiction. This humorous, cozy noir mystery series continues with Monkey Island Murder: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery and The South Seas Shenanigans: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery.

“Make time to hang with Sparky, amateur detective of Bunker Hill. You'll be glad you did!"
—Diane Vallere, national bestselling author of the Madison Night Mystery Series

“A rollicking, layered, smart mystery that’s tons of fun!” “
— Sal Nudo, award-winning journalist and author of The Newspaperman

“The author’s gift is her ability to wedge herself deeply into the mind of an 11-year-old streetwise firecracker named Sparky in this intricately woven, beautifully crafted tale.”
— Craig Leener, author of the Zeke Archer Basketball Trilogy
Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Reading age
    11 - 18 years
  2. Book 2 of 5
    A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery
  3. Print length
    340 pages
  4. Language
    English
  5. Accessibility
    Learn more
  6. Publication date
    November 17, 2023
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. ISBN-13
    979-8989280834
Next slide of product details
Unwell Hydration from Alex Cooper
Hydrate & focus with every sip Shop now

Shop this series

 See full series
There are 5 books in this series.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A rollicking, layered, smart mystery that's tons of fun!" — Sal Nudo, award-winning journalist and author of The Newspaperman

"The author's gift is her ability to wedge herself deeply into the mind of an 11-year-old streetwise firecracker named Sparky in this intricately woven, beautifully crafted tale."— Craig Leener, author of the Zeke Archer Basketball Trilogy

About the Author

Rosalind Barden is fascinated by the history of Los Angeles's lost noir neighborhood, Bunker Hill. "The Cold Kid Case," the first in her zany, 1930s cozy noir "Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery" series is a #1 Amazon New Release and Firebird Book Award 1st Place Winner for Cozy Mysteries. "The Cannibal Caper" is the second in this young adult, historical mystery series with laugh-out-loud humor, and it won Best Young Adult Book and Top 10 Finisher for Best Mystery Novel in the Critters Readers Poll. Next in the series comes "The Monkey Island Murder" in 2024. She also writes short mystery and horror stories and has had over thirty published, including "The Monkey's Ghost," the inspiration for her "Sparky" series, which appears in FAPA President's Book Award Silver Medalist anthology "History and Mystery, Oh My!" Find out more at RosalindBarden.com

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CLCRDC8J
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Poodle Productions, LLC
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 17, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.1 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 340 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8989280834
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 2 of 5 ‏ : ‎ A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 11 - 18 years
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 29 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Rosalind Barden

Rosalind Barden

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more at https://rosalindbarden.com/. For bonus content, fun giveaways, and updates, sign up for Rosalind Barden’s Readers Club newsletter at https://rosalindbarden.com/join-readers-club/.

Rosalind Barden's zany, cozy noir mystery novel set in 1930s Depression-era Los Angeles, SPARKY OF BUNKER HILL AND THE COLD KID CASE, is a Firebird Book Award 1st Place Cozy Mystery Winner, Literary Titan Gold Medal Book Award Winner, Author Academy Top 10 Mystery Winner, and Critters Readers Poll Top 10 Finisher for both Best Mystery and Best Young Adult Books. Over thirty of Rosalind Barden's short stories have appeared in print anthologies and webzines, such as the U.K.'s acclaimed WHISPERS OF WICKEDNESS. Mystery and Horror LLC has selected her stories for multiple print anthologies, including FAPA President's Book Award Silver Medalist HISTORY AND MYSTERY OH MY! She is a regular contributor to the STRANGELY FUNNY anthology series. Ellen Datlow selected her short story LION FRIEND as a Best Horror of the Year Honorable Mention after it appeared in CERN ZOO, a British Fantasy Society nominee for best anthology, part of DF Lewis' award winning NEMONYMOUS anthology series. TV MONSTER is her print children's book that she wrote and illustrated. In addition, her scripts, novel manuscripts and short fiction have placed in numerous competitions, including the Writers Digest Screenplay Competition and the Shriekfast Film Festival. She writes in Los Angeles, California. Photo credit: Guy Viau.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
29 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Top reviews from the United States

  • gl
    5.0 out of 5 stars An action-packed mystery with an engaging, realistic main character
    Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The Cannibal Caper is the second book in the Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery series. The stories take place in the 1930s Las Angeles neighborhood, Bunker Hill. Sadly, the neighborhood no longer exists. It was leveled during the 1960s in an effort to “modernize” the area. I love the author’s description of the historical settings. The Angels Flight funicular is mentioned as are Court and Spring Street. The old Victorian houses, many of which were converted into rooming houses in that time period, show up as settings.
    Spunky Sparky is faced with another mystery, this one involving missing jewels and cannibals. She goes on hair-raising adventures in her attempts to solve the case. I’ve read the first book in the series and enjoyed this one even more.
    Parents should be aware that the noir elements in the story may upset young readers. (Sparky is attacked by someone she believes may be a cannibal at one point.) With sufficient supervision, I believe all children will thoroughly enjoy this book and the first. I was entertained and completed the book in record time.
    I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys action-packed mysteries with an engaging, realistic main character.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • RLBKBJ
    4.0 out of 5 stars Just what I needed right now.
    Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    After reading a couple of books whose endings left me heartbroken for days, I felt like I needed a lighter change of pace to clean my palate. This. Was. It. I don’t usually read books aimed at younger audiences, but this one was just what I needed. Rosalind Barden’s The Cannibal Caper: A Sparky of Bunker Hill Mystery had just the right combination of an interesting mystery where instead of puzzling over and trying to get a grip on the solution, and entertaining enough prose to make me happy to come along for the ride as the story progressed. Sparky’s friend Tootsie was a great member of an interesting supporting cast. Although Barden’s book is the second in a series, I didn’t feel especially confused or lost as I read. What starting in the middle accomplished for me was to make me curious about the first book, which I quite possibly will pick up in the near future.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Jennifer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Young Detective, More Cases
    Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2024
    Reading the first Sparky mystery story made me interested in what would happen in the second one so here it goes! In this one, jewels are stolen and Sparky tries getting to the bottom of the mystery and oddly enough at the same time all this is happening, a cannibal is on the loose and seeking its next victim. With this book series’ zany characters and lots of new things happening for Sparky, teens can enjoy the adventures of solving these mysteries while seeing where Sparky’s life is taking her to now.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Taylor
    4.0 out of 5 stars very cute story for someone looking for a innocently themed mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed reading this book, although it had 50+ chapters, it was an easy quick read. It reminded me a lot of the 90's children's mystery books like the Nancy Drew books. My daughters especially enjoyed all the different characterizes, especially the ones with kooky personalities and names like chum-chum and tootsie. It is probably more targeted and suited for younger, coming of age children, but for people with vanilla tastes in clean mystery books this is the one for you. It was easy to follow along with the story line, and I like how the author got the whole town involved basically, giving them each a portraying role building in the curiosity of a little girls imagination run wild in the book. Over all it had very good descriptions of all the places, people, and candies and treats eaten by the children. And will be very fitting in a young girl or boys bookshelf in their room.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Clarence Mcdonald
    5.0 out of 5 stars Zany mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2024
    The Cannibal Caper by Rosalind Barden is the sequel to The Cold Kid Case. Eleven-year-old Sparky returns to solve another zany mystery and create a life with Tootsie and Gilbert. Some interesting new characters are introduced and we learn more about returning characters. Just as fun and entertaining as the first book! Well done Rosalind Barden!
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Tommy Witcher
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved the book
    Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2023
    I am fond of mysteries, and I will read pretty much in the genre from Agatha Christie to the Navajo mysteries by Tony Hillerman and now his daughter Anne. I also read a lot of adventure books, and cozies. The reason I picked this book up is that it has a setting in historical Los Angeles. If you want to hook me, write about the end of the silent movie era and all the characters that created modern Hollywood (which I don’t find as interesting, by the way.)
    Norma Desmond still fascinates me, and this book has its version of Norma. This book has a ton of humorous characters, from crazed doctors to Chinese gangsters, to shady policemen, and crooked politicians.
    The main character is a female street kid, which kind of put me off, at first. I prefer my character to be a little more adult. But then I started to admire her spirit, and her ability to survive in a harsh world. And her sense of humor. She’s a tough kid, and she has to be to survive.
    I won’t give anything else away but this is a very fun, very fast, and enjoyable read. I think I’ve found a new author to follow.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • MWeatherholtz
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good addition to this YA mystery series
    Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2024
    I’m not sure if there is an exact order to read these books in but I read The Cold Kid Case first and this one after it. Described as a YA, cozy mystery, I would check out the subject matter before just handing it to your kiddo as you definitely want to be sure they are mature enough to handle that. A little hard to get into at first but still an immensely enjoyable story. Once the action starts it doesn’t stop and I couldn’t wait to find out what happened. The characters were lifelike and fit the time period well. Again, told from her point of view we get an idea of what it’s like to be a scrappy, orphan, in this day and age, and how tough it is to survive on the street. Appreciate Bardens wonderful storytelling and can’t wait to find out what Sparky gets into next.
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Joan Lewis
    4.0 out of 5 stars Sparky rides again.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 22, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    There’s no doubt about it: Sparky lives up to her name. You could not fail to love this unique kid, with her rats’ nest hair, and her determination to survive against all the odds. In ‘The Cannibal Caper,’ Sparky pits her detective skills against the vilest of villains, and we are with her all the way throughout this ghastly tale of gangster violence. It all takes place in thirties downtown Los Angeles, against a background of prohibition . Rosalind Barton spins a nail -biting story that fills every minute with action. She writes extremely well and with great humour. The central narrator is Sparky, and the author’s characterisation of this doughty kid is so spot on, one can almost feel her presence. Barton extracts a lot of humour from her characters, but her story has a certain pathos too. One cannot help but feel sorry for Sparky, in spite of her defiant resilience. Tootsie, the fading silent movie star, cuts an unhappy and lonely figure, while Gilbert, her butler, deserves admiration for his sad devotion to them both.
    Although I respect the quality of the writing, I confess the frenetic pace of the story left me reeling somewhat, and seeking respite in calmer waters. I believe this story is directed towards ‘young adults,’ but I suspect slightly younger children are more likely to fall for our daring heroine, although there is quite a lot of graphic violence. This book barely touches on the real life issues that concern young adults. I am curious to know what Rosalind Barton could produce if she directed her undoubted writing skills and her empathy that way.
    Report
  • S A Griffiths
    5.0 out of 5 stars Zany. Engaging and Chock Full of Witty One Liners.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 12, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    It all starts of with Sparky having to look after, Rosie, the pet goldfish of an local gangster who has been sent to prison for a crime he allegedly hasn’t committed and then it all steam rolls from there in a zany, thrilling and sometimes comical detective mystery with some witty one liners for our young investigator. Set in 1930s LA, with some colourful characters with some equally colourful (nick)names such as Tootsie, Goblin, Chum-Chum, Whisper-Whisper, Man-on-Toast and Dr Arcanum, Sparky is in for a wild ride as she tries to clear someone’s name by finding the real Cannibal. But as she navigates herself around all this from exotic pet shops to 7-11s that do not seem to see any trade our heroine finds she has to deal with another terrible threat. School! This was an intriguing and engaging read with some genuine laugh out loud moments from Sparky’s observations and sassy banter with some of the other characters. I look forward to reading more Sparky in the future.
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report