Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

When the Golden Chew Bone mysteriously goes missing, Sweet Pea the dog is on the case. Sweet Pea resides in the town of Parkville, where several animal species live harmoniously… mostly. She enjoys painting, eating out of the garbage, and learning about her family history. She’s never solved a mystery before, but when the Golden Chew Bone disappears before the Parkville Art Museum’s celebration of its return (the bone had been on loan to another museum), Sweet Pea is asked to use her strong sniffing abilities to find it. Dogs regularly visit the museum to chew on the bone; it keeps their teeth clean but somehow never gets any smaller. Dental problems among Parkville dogs are now on the rise, but with the help of newcomers Jelly and Casper and insight from her great-aunt Petunia’s stories, Sweet Pea gets to work. These characters and this town feel bursting with more stories to tell; readers will be grateful that this charming and smartly crafted mystery is just the start of a new series. Varon’s cute, brightly colored, bold-lined, and immediately recognizable art style is inviting and appealing, while chapter breaks make the story accessible and contribute to the narrative’s momentum. While the mystery is delightful, this story goes deeper thematically—which is made clear when Sweet Pea exclaims, “Everyone has a different perspective based on their own experiences.” Sniffing around for an adorable, exciting, and thoughtful tale? This doggy detective delivers. (information on Varon’s character inspiration) (Graphic mystery. 7-12) Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.