When soda jerks Dara and Tate work at the state fair, they become involved in a mystery at nearby Carterson College. Dara wants to be the world's greatest detective, but as an eleven-year-old girl in 1948, she struggles with this bold desire. Her loyal side-kick, Tate, is a boy who loves animals, farming, Ferris wheels, and exciting adventures. He keeps Dara moving through the ups and downs of an investigation involving a buffalo mascot, a giant prehistoric sloth, and some eccentric professors. In this cozy mystery for younger readers of chapter books, Dara and Tate learn the importance of seeking the truth.