In the sleepy, out-of-the-way Spanish colonial hamlet of Los Angeles, young Diego de la Vega is determined to discover the cause of an outbreak of cattle rustling and the accompanying disappearances of some of the pueblos craftsmen. Eventually, he and his best friend, Bernardo, find that an evil aristocrat, don Moncada, is responsible for the kidnappings and is planning to set up his own kingdom. Diegos fearless, upright father leads a small army to rescue the kidnapped men, but ultrasmooth and slippery don Moncada proves to be a challenging foe. Diego is actually the boy Zorro, but he isnt quite as dashing as his adult counterpart. Though readers may miss the famous swordplay, the cape, and the black steed, Adkins historical novel, inspired by Isabel Allendes Zorro (2005), has enough action and rich detail of old California to engage readers.

All Ages.