Raining Cats and Detectives (Guinea Pig, Pet Shop Mystery)

By: Colleen AF Venable
Publisher: Graphic Universe
Publication Date: August 2012
ISBN: 978-0761360087
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: November 19, 2012

There was a little problem at Mr. Venezi’s Pet’s & Stuff pet shop. Mr. V was always mixing up the names of the animals, but Viola was trying to set him straight. She held Hamisher, the hamster, in her hands and asked, “What’s this?” No, it wasn’t a mini koala, a short ferret, or a tiny dragon. Ugh! Of course Ham thought being called a dragon was perfect, but that just wouldn’t do. Viola was trying, but Mr. V never really was good at names. Viola worked for Mr. V and was saving her money to buy the chinchillas, Janice, Clarissa, and Mr. Sparkles. Detectives Hamisher and Sasspants, PI(G) decided they needed “a better detective office” so they could figure out who would be the perfect owner for them.

Of course Hamisher already knew that he wanted the detective sort to be their owner. “I just want someone who’s a supercool professional detective, with a detective’s hat and a detective’s notebook and big ears to hear crime ...” Yeah, right, but first they had to make their office. Charlotte’s daughter Bree might be a good owner, but then again maybe not. They owned Tummytickles, but he was pretty harmless for a cat. Bree wanted another pet, but noooo way! In the meantime Sass and Ham were working on their office while Viola was trying to sell pets.

All of a sudden a Detective Pickles came through the door looking for “a bloodhound to sniff out clues.” No, Pets & Stuff didn’t sell dogs, but they did sell ferrets, rabbits, birds, hamsters, and guinea pigs. Guinea pigs? Hamsters? Detective Pickles didn’t quite have enough money for both but he would take ... SASSPANTS! Oh, no, what was going to happen to the shop without him? It wouldn’t be long before Hamisher really needed him because Tummytickles turned up missing and there was a big reward. Soon everyone was trying to be a detective, but there was only one Sasspants PI(G). Would he ever come home to help solve the mystery?

Once again, Sasspants PI(G) and Hamisher are back on the job trying to solve yet another pet shop mystery. It’s not a secret that Mr. V simply cannot figure out the names of the animals, but neither is the fact that Sass and Ham are a perfect detective team. This time there is a little twist ... Sass has been sold. The tale, told in graphic novel form, will have definite appeal to both the reluctant and young reader. The characters are fun, witty, and detectives Sass and Ham really know how to crack a case. The clues are there, but if you want to solve the mystery, you too have to put on both your thinking cap and detective hat if you’re going to keep up with this furry duo. In the back of the book Hamisher tells us all about cats and you’ll learn a bit about “The Best Animal Detectives!”

Quill says: If you've ever met Sasspants PI(G) and Hamisher, the pet shop detectives, you'll love this mystery ... if not, you'd better look into it!