Cassandra is a survivalist 11-year old girl. She's ready for every catastrophe. Max-Ernest is her classmate and soon to be her only friend. Cassandra's grandfathers are given a case with a 'Symphony of Smells'. Determined to learn the mystery, Cass and Max-Ernest break into a home, a magician's home, where they find a notebook with a horrible story. Then Benjamin Blake, another classmate, disappears and Cass knows Dr. L and Ms. Mauvais took him. She's determined to save him, no matter what. But neither Cass nor Max-Ernest could know what they've gotten themselves into. Or who the magician may actually be.

A good mystery and suspense novel. The narrator is right along with you. The plot is hard to explain, but basically Dr. L and Ms Mauvais kidnap children who have synesthesia, confusion of the senses. Then they use their brains to create an elixir to extend life. This is the mystery Cass and Max-Ernest discover. Very much like the Lemony Snicket's tales, for an older crowd. The first in a series.