Guinea PIG, Pet Ship Private Eye: #01 Hamster and Cheese

This promising new series opens in a pet store where a smart guinea pig named Sasspants spends her time reading the many books she keeps around her. Her smarts—in addition to the fact her cage accidentally says GUINEA PI instead of PIG—gets her tapped as a crime solver. When sandwiches go missing, a hamster becomes convinced the local pet private investigator will be the one to solve the case. While initially against getting involved, Sasspants nevertheless starts an investigation. Children can look and guess for themselves about the clues and red herrings the book presents. The humor in the characters' personalities and dialogue makes this a lively and entertaining book. Ages 7–11. (Apr.)