Publisher's Weekly Review
In this humorous illustrated solo debut, Curran-Bauer introduces three birds of a feather who detect together: Martin P. Sweets, Felix Danish, and Ralph Custard, the Pigeon Private Detectives. When someone steals Mama Pigeon's famous jam tarts--made with love and one supersecret ingredient--the detectives resolve to find the pastries before they are eaten, or worse, become stale. But the detectives are stumped when following a trail of crumbs leads to a dead end, and attempts to lure suspects into confessing using Mama Pigeon's cookies fail. It's only after Detective Sweets divulges the jam tarts' secret ingredient that the dessert-napper reveals himself (by getting noisily sick into a bucket). Desperate to become a baker and star in a cooking show, the perpetrator had the half-baked idea to steal the tarts for research purposes but is soon forced to confront the consequences of his actions--and is offered a second chance. Vibrant colored pencil and rounded shapes render playful images of mouthwatering treats and avian protagonists sporting deerstalker caps. Readers will flock to Curran-Bauer's lighthearted mystery. A glossary defining detective terms and a fact sheet conclude. Ages 6--9. (Aug.)
Kirkus Review
The Pigeon Private Detectives are on the case! Mama Pigeon has baked her delicious jam tarts for her son, Martin P. Sweets, and his fellow detectives, Felix Danish and Ralph Custard. She leaves the treats at the detectives' headquarters. But the Pigeon Private Detectives are horrified when they arrive at the precinct to find an empty plate and smears of jam; every last tart has been stolen! Though their stomachs are rumbling, the detectives carefully search the office and send samples over to "fur-ensics." They need to hurry before the tarts get eaten "or worse--stale." They canvass the park but find no clues. They then check out the thief's potential next target, the local bakery. The chipmunk assistant tells the detectives that nothing is amiss. Outside, jam-soiled clues begin to pile up. Meanwhile, the culprit researches the tarts, trying to discover Mama Pigeon's secret ingredient. This series starter is at once a classic mystery and an animal story, set in a park with local critters. That balance would seem difficult, but it's achieved here with a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor and plenty of puns. The narrative, told through a mix of comic book--style panels and prose, is brought to life with crisp-lined cartoons with mostly pastel tones and a bit of film noir thrown in when the mood is right. An enjoyable homage to the dramatic mystery. (glossary, animal facts) (Fiction. 6-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
