Fowl Play: A Mystery Told in Idioms!

Nichols (Matthew Meets the Man) goes hog wild in a goofball detective story bursting with animal-themed idioms. When the window to Mr. Hound's shop is broken, he calls in the Gumshoe Zoo Detective Agency to investigate. Quentin, a goat, contacts his colleagues (Steve the monkey is in a barrel when the call comes in, while Mike the bull is in a china shop), and they head to the crime scene. "There is some definite monkey business at hand," says Reggie the fish--before apologizing to Steve on the next page. "No sweat," replies the monkey. "And I agree. I smell a rat." Josie (a rat) isn't offended either, and a very funny chain of comments and apologies continues. The wrap-up isn't 100% logical (the detectives realize that Mr. Hound broke his own window "and called us so you could get it fixed for free"), but that's easily written off as criminal incompetence rather than a narrative problem. It's a highly entertaining comic mystery, and the closing pages both explain the many idioms referenced and tease a potential sequel--if we're lucky. Ages 5-8. Agent: Daniel Lazar, Writers House. (Aug.)

Gr 2-4--Nichols presents a comic-format picture book using a plethora of idioms to hilarious effect in this deadpan mystery. Someone has broken Mr. Hound's store window, and the Gumshoe Zoo Detective Agency is called in to solve the case. The agency is comprised of a bull, rat, duck, horse, goat, fish, monkey, and chicken. Throughout the story, each character cannot help but use expressions such as monkey business, I smell a rat, foul play, and scapegoats, followed by apologies to the particular animal teammate referred to in the idiom. As they discuss the crime, they manage to solve it satisfactorily. Just as the bad guy is being led off to jail, breaking news reveals an oxymoronic story--a jumbo shrimp is on the loose downtown, requiring the services of the Gumshoe Zoo detectives! The back of the book describes exactly what idioms are, followed by easy-to-understand definitions of the ones used in the story. VERDICT This enjoyable introduction to idiomatic speech gives lots of laughs, a mystery to solve, and a funny cliff-hanger.--B. Allison Gray, Goleta Public Library, CA