Ellie and Lex Mysteries: The Vanishing Video Games

By Craig Kunce and Alex Kunce

Ellie Anders and Lex are on the case! Today is the long-awaited release of the new video game Surfing Snakes. As Ellie and Lex wait in line to buy it, the store owner, Mrs. Lopez, bursts out and announces that someone has stolen all of them! Ellie and Lex set out to catch the thief. They track down clues, confront suspects, and get help from une

• Language: English
• Publisher: Windhill Books LLC
• Release date: Feb 1, 2024
• ISBN: 9781944734480

Book preview

ellie-and-lex-vanishing-video-games.jpg

Craig Kunce

Alex Kunce

Copyright

Copyright © 2023 Windhill Books LLC

All Rights Reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.

Published in February, 2024

by Windhill Books LLC, Onalaska, WI 54650

windhillbooks.com

ISBN 978-1-944734-48-0

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023900784

1

They’re All Gone!

Bye, Mom, be back for lunch, Ellie called as she and Lex bounced down the front steps of her home. Ellie pulled the hood of her favorite orange sweatshirt over her messy morning hair.

Careful, you two. Stick together, OK? Mrs. Anders shouted through the open front door.

Ellie gave her mom an eager wave and smile as they started walking toward Oak Forest’s downtown shopping district. They’d gotten up early to go to Lopez Electronics for the release of a new video game console and version of the popular Surfing Snakes video game. The crisp morning air chilled their nostrils with each breath. Small, puffy white clouds dotted the bright blue sky above them. The leaves were just starting to change colors from a deep green to yellow, orange, and red.

It’s cold, Ellie said as her shoulders shivered. How can you wear shorts?

Lex shrugged.

Why do you want the new Surfing Snakes again? Ellie asked.

Because it’s new, Lex said.

Why don’t you just play the one you have? Ellie asked. You haven’t even made it to the end of that one.

Um, new version, Lex said. It’s always better. New levels, new lands, higher resolution. And it only works with the new console.

It’s early and cold, Ellie said. Why don’t you just download it at home? It’s cozy and warm there.

Ellie, I told you all this, Lex said. In-store release only because you have to have the new console.

Oh, yeah, Ellie said, nodding. Hey, hold up. I want to try for one. I think today’s my day.

Why do you torture yourself? Lex asked. You’ve never jumped over one sidewalk square in your entire life.

Ellie positioned herself just before a sidewalk crack. A line of ants traced across the concrete in front of her.

Don’t worry, little ones, I’ll jump right over you, she said.

She steadied herself and lunged forward with all her might. She