MR. BEAGLE AND THE GEORGESTOWN MYSTERY

In this sequel to Mr. Beagle Goes to Rabbittown (2021), Mr. Beagle tackles a mystery in a nearby neighborhood.

Visiting his cousin Georgie in Georgestown, Mr. Beagle learns a cat burglar has been breaking into houses all over the neighborhood, stealing storybooks and causing everyone to feel sad, especially at bedtime. Searching for the mysterious thief, Mr. Beagle notices cats working on ladders engaged in home renovation, painting window frames, and repairing a utility pole. However, Mr. Beagle’s nose tells him these “promising suspects” may not be the culprit. Then one night, the thief breaks into Georgie’s home and, surprisingly, is revealed to be a chagrined fox named Georgia who’s been “borrowing” storybooks all over the neighborhood without asking permission because she loves reading so much. Realizing he should never have assumed the thief was a cat, Mr. Beagle has an idea that may just remedy Georgia’s lack of books plus bring the community together. The understated text tells the story, but the amusing, droll illustrations provide the clues critical to solving the mystery. Drawn with slender black outlines, Doody’s tidy, detailed illustrations once again reduce buildings, animal characters, and objects to flat, intensely colored, simple shapes inviting close inspection. An appealing subtext stresses the importance of books and libraries to communities.

Mr. Beagle learns to never judge a book by its cover in his latest engaging mystery.