Reading Group Guide

The Sherlock Society Book 2: Hurricane Heist

By James Ponti

About the Book

When a category-three hurricane hits Miami Beach, it uncovers a body buried at the renowned Moroccan Hotel. The body is identified as the man who served as the hotel’s bell captain sixty years ago and the presumed culprit of the million-dollar jewel heist that took place just before his disappearance!

Since the bell captain clearly didn’t take off with the goods as had been long believed, the Sherlock Society sets its sights on uncovering the real culprit of the theft. But when the thief may also be implicated in the bell captain’s murder, even sixty years later there are people who want the truth to stay buried.

Discussion Questions

1. In the very first paragraph, Alex declares, “My life was filled with countless embarrassing athletic failures. . . . But none were as humiliating as being outrun by my grandfather.” Is it surprising to learn that the members of the Sherlock Society are literally trying to outrun harm because of their investigative choices? Based on what you already know about them, why or why not?

2. Alex explains that they were at the Dades Valley Ranch “because we were trying to crack a case more than sixty years old.” (Chapter one) From an investigative perspective, what do you believe will be the biggest challenge for the team working on a case that old?

3. The cold case the team is reopening focuses on a jewel and art heist that occurred at the Moroccan Hotel in Miami Beach during Hurricane Cleo in 1964. An innocent man was wrongly accused of the crime, and the case remained incredibly personal to Grandpa throughout his professional career. As the Sherlock Society begins to examine this sixty-year-old case, how do you think Grandpa’s connection to it will cloud or influence his perspective?

4. During the 1964 investigation of the Moroccan Hotel theft, Ignacio “Doc” Gonzalez was the FBI’s prime suspect in the heist. Young Pete Lassiter defends him to the FBI agents and asserts, “‘Because I know that Doc’s innocent. He’s kind and moral. He has plans for the future. He wouldn’t—I mean he couldn’t—have committed this crime.’” (Chapter nine) Why does Pete feel so strongly that Doc is innocent? Do you think he’s right to do so? Why or why not?

5. While explaining to the FBI why he calls Ignacio “Doc” and why they should call him Ignacio, young Pete states, “‘I call him Doc because we’re friends. But you should call him Ignacio when you interview him because your relationship is professional.’” (Chapter three) What are your thoughts about the friendship between Pete and Doc? Are there any adults with whom you have a special relationship that aren’t family members? If so, what do you like best about it?

6. Consider the shift in the story’s setting between present-day Miami and 1960s Miami. What do you find most appealing about the timeline pivots? In what ways does it help you better understand Alex and Zoe’s grandpa by seeing him as young Pete? Which of his personality traits were already evident as a boy?

7. Describe how the hurricane approaching Miami creates a sense of urgency for the Sherlock Society. How does it affect how they attempt to solve the case, and why?

8. Consider Grandpa’s investigation assignments for each member of the Sherlock Society. How does dividing the research up and allowing each of them to focus on a different aspect of the investigation benefit the team overall?

9. Which character do you most identify with and why? Has that changed any since the first novel?

10. How do Grandpa’s personal connections to this case work to the group’s advantage? Are there any ways that his own experiences might make him less objective to the findings of the case?

11. Does the Sherlock Society operate best as a team, or do you think their individual investigation work is equally effective at resolving the case? Support your argument with textual examples.

12. When discussing his attempt at writing and publishing a book, Grandpa tells them, “‘I’m not a novelist; I’m a journalist. Or, rather, I was one. I miss it, but that doesn’t mean I don’t still have a great life.’” (Chapter fifteen) Based on this comment, what do you believe are the greatest benefits to being a part of the Sherlock Society for him?

13. While watching two firefighters practice their work, Lina remarks, “‘Check out the teamwork. . . . They move in unison, almost like they are dancing.’” (Chapter eleven) Similarly, the Sherlock Society regularly engages in research, analysis, and discussion, often challenging each other’s ideas. How is their teamwork similar to the ways in which the firefighters work together? Why is this so effective?

14. When Lina suggests that the “Ignacio Imposter” would have had to have an ID at the airport to board a plane, Grandpa tells her, “‘You do now, but things were different in 1964 . . . Then you could walk up to an airline counter and purchase tickets without any ID at all.’” (Chapter eleven) What did you find most surprising about Grandpa’s description of air travel in the 1960s? Why do you think it’s so different now?

15. As they visit retired FBI agent Stuart Forrest at the Euro retirement home to share the updates to the Cleo Caper case and the discovery of Ignacio Gonzalez’s remains, Stuart tells Grandpa that he was right about his belief in Ignacio’s innocence all along. Grandpa retorts, “‘I was right about who didn’t do it. Unfortunately, I have no idea who did.’” (Chapter fourteen) Why does he see these former FBI agents as important resources in finally solving the Cleo Caper? What does the chance to return and right this case offer for the retired agents?

16. Consider the way in which the Sherlock Society works on this case: their methods involve reviewing old case files, gathering new information through interviews such as with former FBI agent Forrest, and utilizing modern tools like phone-based searches. They also use symbolic tools like bedpans and poker chips to represent suspects and evidence. Why is this layered approach to the investigation so successful?

17. While discussing Lina’s resistance to interacting with Zoe’s other friends, Lina tells Zoe, “‘You shouldn’t have to know someone to be decent to them. . . . I know they’re your friends. . . . It’s just that I’d rather hang out with Alex and Yadi.’” (Chapter sixteen) Based on what you read, what are some of the specific ways Zoe and Lina’s friendship has developed, despite the bad behavior of Zoe’s other friends?

18. The importance of truth and justice are central to the story as the Sherlock Society seeks to clear Ignacio Gonzalez’s name after decades of wrongful accusation. Why does this become such an important goal for the entire group, not just Grandpa?

19. Considering the conclusion of the novel, what do you predict will happen in the next installment of the Sherlock Society?

Extension Activities

In Hurricane Heist, the Sherlock Society works together to investigate a cold case even the FBI was unable to successfully crack known as the Cleo Caper, a jewel and art heist that occurred at the Moroccan Hotel during Hurricane Cleo in 1964. Begin by having readers use the following Ebsco database resource: https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/law/cold-cases to learn more about cold cases, specifically to discover the following:

- What is a cold case?

- Why are they significant?

- What types of law enforcement divisions are put in place to work on them and how are they typically staffed?

- What technology is used, and why are modern technological advances important to solving cold cases?

- What are the most common kinds of cold cases?

After the completion of this research, have readers discuss what they learned with one another.

In Hurricane Heist, readers are introduced to and offered a great deal of information about hurricanes. Using library resources and the internet, learn more about what make the following stages of a hurricane unique:

- tropical disturbance

- tropical depression

- tropical storm

- hurricane

After they synthesize that information, have readers dig deeper and work together to learn the difference between a squall and a gust and what the lack of lightning and thunder indicates, as well as other interesting hurricane facts. Finally, have readers find out about the hurricane cycles in the early 1960s that impacted the Miami area to compare those real events to those depicted in the novel, specifically looking for parallels or ways in which author James Ponti was inspired to capture this atmospheric event.

In the novel, Carlos the Cat (Carlos Aguilar), a jewel thief who advised on Hurricane Heist (the movie being filmed at the Moroccan Hotel), is largely eliminated as a heist suspect because of his quick entry into the witness protection program (WPP), which made him unlikely to have had the ability to keep or hide away any stolen goods. Today, the federal witness protection program remains active. Have readers research the WPP to learn the following:

- How is the Witness Protection Program defined?

- Why are individuals and families typically put in this program?

- What are the general statistics of the number of people placed in the WPP?

After completing their research, ask readers to share the most interesting facts they uncovered with others.

Note to Educators: In case researchers come across this, know that the current Federal Witness Protection Program was officially established in 1970, after the events of the flashbacks in the book. However, throughout the sixties, there was a precursor, also known as the Witness Protection Program. Despite some technicalities, they can both be considered part of the same program.

In reading Hurricane Heist, readers learn about the SUSTAIN Lab (SUrge-STructure-Atmosphere INteraction), the largest hurricane simulator in the world, located at the University of Miami. Have readers begin by watching the following news piece: https://www.gulfcoastnewsnow.com/article/university-miami-hurricane-forecasts-simulation-technology/61863579

Then have them learn more about the simulator by visiting the University of Miami’s website: https://sustain.earth.miami.edu/ to better understand the purpose of the SUSTAIN Lab. After investigating both, ask readers to discuss the valuable benefits of such a tool and have them share the five things they found most interesting from their investigation of SUSTAIN and the University of Miami’s hurricane detection and preparation resources.

Edna van Buren is introduced in this novel. She is the famous reporter for the Miami Herald who ultimately inspires young Pete to become one of the paper’s most popular writers. Edna’s character is inspired by real life Pulitzer Prize winner and police and crime reporter Edna Buchanan. Have readers learn more about her by using trusted Internet and library resources, or by reading this coverage of Buchanan (Warning: this article does include mentions of suicide, drugs, and various murders): https://www.pulitzer.org/article/miamis-nonpareil-police-reporter

Then have each reader create a K-W-L chart to capture what they discover from their research, encouraging them to research more about what they wrote in their Want to Know column.

In a flashback sequence, readers learn that “the ‘fun and sun capital of the world’ [Miami] had become a ghost town in preparation for Hurricane Cleo. The streets were empty, and the windows of most buildings had been boarded up. Trash cans, benches, potted plants, and anything else that might become airborne had been moved inside. Even the traffic lights on Biscayne Boulevard had been dismantled to keep them from blowing away.” (Chapter two) In the present, the Sherlock Society and their families are also working on planning for the impending storm heading their way. In anticipation of natural disasters like hurricanes, there is a great deal of preparation that happens in hopes of helping minimize additional damage. Ask readers to research and learn more about hurricane preparedness by utilizing resources offered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Working in small teams, have readers select one of the following areas to further investigate and prepare to share with the larger group:

- Know your risk: water and wind

- Prepare before hurricane season

- Understand forecast information

- Get moving when a storm threatens

- Stay protected during the storms

- Use caution after the storms

- Take action today

Using a digital tool of choice, have each group take turns sharing their findings.

This guide was created by Dr. Rose Brock. Rose is an associate professor in the Library Science Department in the College of Education at Sam Houston State University and holds a Ph.D. in Library Science, specializing in children’s and young adult literature.

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