The Big Splash by Jack D. Ferraiolo

The Big Splash by Jack D. Ferraiolo is about Matt Stevens, Franklin Middle School's one and only private investigator. Things at the Frank are run by a particularly foul bully named Vinny, who has a whole host of "employees" to do his bidding. Up until recently, one of these employees was Nikki Fingers, hit-woman extraordinaire. Her aim and speed with a cat-pee filled squirt gun was unparalleled at the Frank, sending many a victim to join "The Outs" after having been sprayed in the pants. At the beginning of 8th grade year, Nikki went back to being Nicole and tried to leave Vinny's crew - supposedly to set a good example for her 6th grade sister. Too bad she took something of Vinny's with her when she went. Vinny hired Matt to retrieve the item, a hula girl good luck charm. Unknowingly, Matt only served as a distraction... when they were talking, someone snuck up on them and "hit" Nikki with the squirt gun. The crowd in the hall was thrilled at seeing the most feared member of Vinny's crew taken down - Nikki was no longer feared, in fact, she was immediately a member of "The Outs", the shunned group of kids at the Frank. Now Matt's job is to find out who put the hit on Nikki... suspects include nearly everybody at Franklin Middle School! In the midst of his investigation, Matt discovers he may have feelings for two different girls, considers his old elementary school friendships with both Vinny and his new right-hand-man Kevin, and wrestles with how to do the right thing for himself, Nikki, and the Frank.

This was a really funny mystery! It reminded me of The Sopranos for adolscents! Vinny was the big boss-man who controlled all of the illegal activity at school (writing phony passes, selling candy, etc.) and took down anyone who crossed him using cat pee and a squirt gun. The author used a lot of hilarious similes to describe the situations.