School Library Journal Review
Gr 2-4-Detective Smiffy Blue, his assistant Jeremy Joe, and Smiffy's dog, Dog, set out to solve crimes in these four slapstick stories. The action takes place in and around Doober City, where readers meet citizens such as Doc Terdoom, Mayor Matt Tropolis, and hotel clerk Chubby Checkin. Each chapter is a self-contained mystery easily solved via the blatant visual clue provided. Hints reside in the text as well, but readers are easily sidetracked by the numerous plays on words and colorful characters. Beginning chapter-book readers will enjoy following clues to the conclusion of each selection and will smile at the humorous blue-and-black illustrations that perfectly complement the text.-Barbara McGinn, Oak Hill Elementary School, Severna Park, MD (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
In four brief mysteries, detective Smiffy Blue and his sidekick, Jeremy Joe, embark on a series of wild-goose chases before Smiffy solves each case without benefit of logic or deduction. The cartoonlike illustrations provide obvious clues to the mysteries, but the repetitive, undistinguished prose does not. Filled with bad puns, the book may appeal to some humor fans -- but mystery mavens will be severely disappointed. From HORN BOOK 1996, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
