A Bonafide Detective is a fun, if head-spinning, escapist read. The sophisticatedly crafted novel is set in early 1960s California, and cultural touchstones from jukebox hits to Doc's "Arthur Miller glasses" abound, evoking a familiar setting, though the story thankfully eschews any mythology about how the period was a "simpler time." From Junior, the sadistic bully, to Scarlett, the misandrist vixen neighbor, to the gruff and demeaning father...this story is chock-full of complex and strongly written characters. And then there are those who may or may not exist-Jimmy has a lupine alter ego that is either a magical realist element or a clever allegory for psychological disturbance. There's a sexy nun who might be a ghost and a ghost in a pink dress who might be a missing woman, still alive. And there's Margaret Ann, a true friend Doc does his best to pretend he despises, as well as his mentor and conscience, who shows up conveniently every time he's in need of a reality check. What's real and what's part of a teenager's rich inner life or a plot point in Doc's crime novel in progress? Twombly asks if it really matters what's true, challenging readers in a fresh and mind-bending way. Doc's story weaving could be a way to cope with the untrustworthiness of the adults in his life. Neither priests nor parents are to be depended on...in contrast, the kids-clearly just trying to stay afloat in a world that doesn't make sense-are worth rooting for. The relentless plot twists, constant introduction of new characters, and Doc's melodramatic detective story vignettes can sometimes be overwhelming, It may be a book that is better savored than devoured, in order to keep the details straight. But it's a satisfyingly different book that is worth the work for fans of mystery, folkloric elements, and young-adult-driven stories.

The plot takes off as Doc traverses the pitfalls of being a high school student while trying to determine if he's going crazy or becoming a bona fide detective. There's undeniable charm in Twombly's work, as he mixes nostalgia for a slowly ending age of innocence with an engaging mystery that has hints of the supernatural. An enjoyable, unconventional work for teenagers and adults alike.