Excellent as always! - Rated 
I'd loved everything I'd read by Eoin Colfer so I was intrigued to find what I hope is the start of a new series. It lived up to expectations and I raced through it, loving every minute. Eoin Colfer's style of writing just keeps me gripped and Half Moon Investigations was no dissapointment. I really hope it is the start of a series cause I can't wait to get stuck into the next case!
Half Moon, only Half-Decent. - Rated 
I picked this up because I enjoyed Artemis Fowl, and was interested to see how Colfer would do a detective story. While I wasn't expecting fairies and super-villians, I was at least expecting a decent plot.
Unfortunately, it never quite lives up to expectations. Although this book is aimed at children in the 9-11 age group, I would have expected a little more imagination than Fletcher being hired by a 10-yr old girl to find a missing lock of hair! A good novel is one that creates a decent lead character and then creates a lot of conflict for that lead to deal with. I find it hard to get excited about someone trying to find a lock of hair - it just doesn't have the level of conflict I would expect. Why should I care about a lock of hair? I don't!
Ok, Master Moon does find himself up against a few problems, although none of which is particularly threatening, and he meanders through various set pieces (which are logical enough, I suppose) until the denoument. The ending is a logical conclusion, but you reap what you sow. If you have a very average story, then you can hardly expect that the ending will set the world on fire.
The style is ok and it's easy to read. Colfer tries to make Fletcher funny yet only succeeds rarely. Ultimately, my feeling is one of 'must try harder' if Colfer wants to buld on the success of his other work. I'm sure that Half-Moon investigations will develop a committed fan base, but I think that will largely be down to association with Artemis Fowl.
I'll give this a three star rating, although I think I'm being generous. It's a reasonable read but very very average.
Excellent, but sadly lacking fairies or magic! - Rated 
I really enjoyed "Half Moon Investigations." All the Colfer hallmarks are there: a fast pace, humour, and imagination. It just seems very ordinary compared to the Artemis Fowl series! But that's a compliment to Colfer. I'm sure the Half Moon series will appeal to those who aren't so keen on magic, heavily armed fairies and criminal masterminds.
Respect the shield! - Rated
Half Moon Investigations is a surprisingly (and refreshingly) NON fantasy novel from Eion Colfer. I love the Artemis Fowl books and found The Supernaturalist to be interesting (if not great) so it's obvious I would pick this book up right away. I'd never heard of it until I saw it in the shop and the cool cover and Eion Colfer's name in big letters was the selling point for me, regardless of whether or not the actual blurb made the book look any good.
Fletcher Moon is twelve and a fully licensed private detective. He takes his job very seriously even though the adults regard it as a game. But it ain't no game, not at all. There is a murky plot brewing in Fletcher's high school and he's been hired to get to the bottom of it. But he can't trust anyone and he uncovers more lies than truths. In this respect the book is kinda similar to the movie Brick by Rian Johnson.
I like the approach Colfer uses. He doesn't want to be too childish and insult his target audience but he can't take the story out of the young adult section. It's a fine line to walk and he makes it all the way.
The first-person narrative is punchy and to-the-point. No time is wasted padding and the story breezes along, going from twist to twist. It's the kind of book that you read all at once because there's no part that seems like a safe place to leave it at.
Like Artemis Fowl books, it seems that Colfer is planning on a new franchise with Half Moon Investigations. If so, I eagerly await the next.
Good, but it isn't Artemis Fowl... - Rated
'Half Moon Investigations' is an enjoyable read, but it certainly isn't on the same scale as Artemis Fowl.
Colfer takes us on a convincing jaunt through the dangers and intrigues of school politics and mystery, making the small things in life seem terribly important until you sit back and think about it. The characters are likeable and convincing, though about halfway through you'll find yourself grinding your teeth at the obviousness of the connections. However, Colfer still does give some nice and interesting surprises, and the book is certainly an enjoyable way to pass an afternoon.
For hardcore Artemis fans expecting the whirlwind journeys we know and love, and espionage on a worldwide scale, just be forewarned that it's not as epic as his other books. But for everyone else, go on, have a read.
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