Detective Stanley and the Mystery at the Museum
by Hannah Tunnicliffe, illustrated by Erica Harrison
Interest age: 6 to 9
Reading age: 6+
Published by Flying Eye Books
About this book
Stanley the detecting dog has just retired from a long career spent cracking cases and is looking forward to a restful, pancake-filled future. But when a letter arrives from the Narlybone museum informing him of a suspected break-in, he is dragged back into a world of clues, misdirection, and intrigue.
Stanley is joined by a hilarious cast of animal characters as he investigates the mystery at the museum, and must sift through layers of false trails to uncover the truth, which is hiding in plain sight...
Hannah Tunnicliffe and Erica Harrison have created an exquisitely funny, satisfying, and unique book with this, the first in the Detective Stanley series. It is a short and self-contained mystery which would suit younger readers, but it is filled with clues and offbeat humour which increases its appeal to older primary aged children too.
The graphic design and illustration are excellent, with a vibrant colour palette and a pleasingly minimal style which still manages to pack in plenty of humorous background details.
It should be noted that this book includes a sequence in which Stanley is sent to a prison.
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