Trouble in Bugland

Inspector Mantis, accompanied by his trusted colleague Doctor Hopper, go forth from their little flat at 221B Flea Street to solve “The Case of the Missing Butterfly,” “The Case of the Caterpillar’s Head,” and three other antennae-bending mysteries puzzling the populace of Bugland.

Criminal detection, combined with delightful insect characters, makes this, in the words of The Horn Book, “the most engaging and cleverest reincarnation of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson yet.” Joe Servello’s color and pen-and-ink drawings bring exquisite period detail to these tales: steam engines, deerstalkers, fog, and mandibles have never been more lovingly crosshatched.

This is a treat for any kid–as a read-alone or read-aloud–who loves a funny mystery.