The Secret Life of Pets meets Only Murders in the Building in this cozy mystery from award-winning graphic novelist Rachel Elliott.
Mysteries abound in Perpleck City, and it’s Bel the black cat’s first day as a detective…But unfortunately, there’s never a mystery to solve in the apartment building where she lives with her goofy dog brother, Zeb, and their human, Josephine. So when local prankster, Payton Parakeet, goes missing during a neighborhood magic show, Bel can’t wait to put her detective skills to the test. Is this just another one of Payton’s pranks, or perhaps…a case of fowl play?
As accusations begin to fly and the suspect list grows, Zeb and Bel must team up to get to the bottom of this feathery mystery. Hilarious hijinks, daring escapades, and flights of fancy are at the heart of this graphic novel that will keep you giggling and guessing on every page. (And if you keep your eyes peeled for clues as you read, you might even crack the case before Zeb and Bel!)
"Winkingly reference[s] Rear Window...Bel and Zeb make a delightful odd couple, and it will be exciting to see what metropolitan mystery they dig up next. An imaginative whodunit for aspiring young sleuths." — Kirkus Reviews
"...Includes clues in the text and images to help readers solve the mystery. Unique back matter panels will send readers back through the book to find hints they may have missed on their first readings. There are also tutorials on how to draw Zeb and Bel...A fun graphic novel with cute characters, recommended for mystery and animal lovers alike." — School Library Journal
"Channels the anthropomorphic animalian absurdity of Bunnicula" — Publishers Weekly
"Elliott’s illustrations are a perfect match for this lively and energetic story...includes the story of how Zeb and Bel met, which is sure to pull on readers’ heartstrings." — The Horn Book