Big Bad Detective Agency

November 17, 2014
Classic fairy tale characters get entertaining modern updates in Hale’s (the Chet Gecko Mysteries) revisionist whodunit. When the homes of the construction company–owning Three Little Pigs are vandalized, all eyes turn to the natural suspect: the Big Bad Wolf. Facing imprisonment and porridge for life, Wolfgang, who claims innocence, must unearth the true villain by sunset. As Wolfgang desperately searches Fairylandia for clues, he partners with an unlikely associate: Ferkel, the fourth little pig. Together, they interview possible criminals with big-time attitudes, including Cinderella—a former paramour of one of the Three Little Pigs (“I dumped his corn-fed butt”), now settled in a lovely mansion working her stepsisters to the bone—and Hansel and Gretel, “greedy, ruthless teenage twins” with a serious sweet tooth. Hale turns familiar story lines and defining characteristics topsy-turvy, and his occasional pencil drawings are well-done and engaging. Wolfgang’s tough-guy demeanor and reluctant use of potentially embarrassing detective techniques (like disguising himself as a granny worthy of Little Red Riding Hood) will amuse readers throughout this original twist on well-known tales. Ages 7–10. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.

October 15, 2014
Everyone knows the Big Bad Wolf is...well bad, right? When the Three Little Pigs' houses are trashed, who in Fairylandia is the prime suspect? It's Wolfgang, the Big Bad Wolf (though don't call him that; he's trying to reform-he likes gardening these days). Capt. Kreplach, captain of Prince Tyrone's guard, gives Wolfgang until sundown to prove his innocence...despite the total absence of evidence of his guilt beyond his reputation. To avoid a lifetime diet of porridge in the prince's dungeon, Wolfgang starts investigating. When he arrives at Dieter Pig's house of bricks, Wolfgang finds it cleaned of all evidence by the Little Pigs' mother. (Incidentally, the "little pigs" are not particularly little, and they run the successful PorkerBuilt construction company.) His investigation techniques earn him a mop in the face from said mother. No one in Fairylandia is likely to treat him as other than suspect No.1...until Ferkel Pig, the Three Little Pigs' eager little brother, offers to assist. The two reluctant comrades set out across Fairylandia, but will they find the actual culprit in time? Hale, author/illustrator of the successful, Edgar-nominated Chet Gecko series, clearly has a lot of fun with this dip into fairy tales for his new series of humorous mysteries. A few of the jokes might fly over the heads of the target audience, but that just makes this a great read-together chapter book. Funny and flip, like Saturday morning cartoons. (Fantasy/mystery. 6-9)

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November 1, 2014

Gr 3-5-This early chapter book mystery takes place in the kingdom of Fairylandia. Wolfgang, aka the "Big Bad Wolf," is a misunderstood villain falsely accused of trashing the Three Little Pigs' homes. Prince Tyrone has sentenced him to a life of eating porridge in a dungeon. Captain Kreplach informs him that if he were to catch the real culprit, he would be free, so Wolfgang has until sundown to clear his name. He squeamishly teams up with Ferkel, the fourth of The Little Pigs, and they search for clues and look for the guilty party. Classic fairy tale characters are suspects and introduced to readers in quirky 21st-century depictions, resulting in some unhappily ever after contemporary fairy tale legends. Likely suspects include sinister Hansel and Gretel; Ursula, the sultry sea witch; kooky Jack of Beanstalk fame; flakey Cinderella; flamboyant Goldilocks; brusque Puss in Boots; and Snow White and her staff of seven dwarves in the Hi-Ho Diner. Readers will snicker as they discover that some have alibis, some have no motive, and some aren't bright enough to pull off the crime. Vocabulary includes hip, New Age terms that readers will relate to. Sporadic black-and white cartoons reveal genuine facial expressions. This book will charm readers who enjoy a good mystery and a distinctive approach to comical fairy tales. The ending is clearly a set-up for the next adventure.-Krista Welz, North Bergen High School, NJ

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