Pigeon P.I.

August 7, 2017
A semi-retired pigeon detective named Murray MacMurray gets roped into helping a persistent canary named Vee. New to the big city, Vee has narrowly escaped being kidnapped along with her friends, a parrot and a budgie (a clue early on reveals that this is no isolated incident), and she wants answers. Then Vee gets nabbed, and Murray hits the mean streets in search of her—only to end up in the middle of a bird-snatching, feather-plucking ring run by none other than his former partner. McLaren’s digital images and idiosyncratic framings don’t convey nearly enough chiaroscuro comic menace: most of the scenes are downright sunny for a film noir spoof. But the author’s hardboiled narration is up to the mood-setting task, Vee proves to be a capable sidekick (“The kid turned out to be a genius at picking locks,” notes Murray approvingly), and there are enough fun details (“Plumage Plunderer Pinched By Previous Partner, Pigeon P.I.,” reads a newspaper headline when the case is cracked) to keep readers invested in this whodunit. Ages 4–7.

July 1, 2017
Who's filching the feathered folk of the city? Pigeon P.I. is taking it easy; his partner, Stanley, has flown the coop, and the gumshoe has closed the detective agency. Around town, brightly colored birds are vanishing, but the sea gull police force is far more interested in a downed box of doughnuts. Vee, a plucky canary whose birdie buddies have gone missing, wants Pigeon P.I.'s help, but he's reluctant. She's determined--very determined--and he takes the case. There are no leads until Vee joins the disappeared. A clue points to the Red Herring Bar and Grill, where P.I. finds the whole flock and frees them. But who's behind the nefarious birdnapping? Pigeon P.I. hears a familiar voice and makes a startling discovery. With the thief exposed and caged, Pigeon P.I. decides he's found a new partner; and he and Vee found the Bird's Eye View Detective Agency. Scottish author McLaren's picture-book tale is just the ticket for budding detectives. They can follow the feathers along with Pigeon P.I. through the digitally created panels and full-bleed illustrations, both dotted with speech bubbles. The watercolor-appearing pictures, full of expressive fowl of various species, are charming and replete with visual gags and additional jokes for the observant or more experienced readers. Further feathery cases for this duo would be just fine. (Picture book. 3-8)

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Starred review from May 1, 2017
Grades K-2 *Starred Review* It was a rainy afternoon, and Vee the canary had been waiting outside Murray MacMurray's detective office all day. The pigeon's heart hadn't been into sleuthing since his partner skipped town, but he couldn't ignore the yellow bird any longer. Vee, desperate for help, divulges that two of her friends have been birdnapped! When Vee herself goes missing a few weeks later, Murray knows he has to take the case. Clues and rumors of a feather thief lead him downtown, where a confrontation with the bird behind the disappearances gives Murray a shock. Will he be able to rescue the victims of this crime ring and nab its boss? McLaren's tongue-in-cheek pastiche revels in hard-boiled tropes, from Murray's ever-present fedora and first-person narration ( Business was slow, just the way I liked it ) to the Red Herring restaurant and intelligence gathered on the wire literally from birds sitting on a wire. Much of the story's humor and cleverness is born out in the digital illustrations, which are full of detail and variety: double-page spreads mix with paneled scenes, and pun-laden newspaper clippings will reward keen-eyed readers with laughs. Additionally, entertaining endpapers display the pigeon PI's guides for investigation. It won't be a mystery when this highly enjoyable picture book disappears from your shelves.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)