Ramon Fellini The dog detective

After a crash from downstairs, a boy rushes to find his fish's bowl shattered on the floor. As he scoops his finned friend into a water pitcher, there's a ring at the door, and a waiting cat introduces himself as Ramon Fellini, the Dog Detective. The boy is confused; it looks like a cat. But Ramon insists he's actually a dog in a cunning cat disguise. Ramon begins his investigation by interrogating the boy, then the goldfish. The boy notices some unorthodox investigation techniques, but he doesn't question the detective, not even when Ramon insists on taking the fish outside to maybe identify a suspect. At last, the great detective returns, sans fish, ready for the big denouement. The mischievous mystery is a tongue-in-cheek treat, and while sensitive readers might be uncomfortable with the slightly sinister reveal, others will absolutely appreciate the macabre comedy. Eagle-eyed readers will have spotted the truth long before the last page, as the entertaining illustrations are packed with clues. A supremely silly story with a sly sense of humor.

A guileless child, a duplicitous "dog," and an ill-fated fish cross paths. A shout tears through a quiet night. The young narrator's beloved pet fish is lying on the ground, surrounded by broken glass. (Luckily, the child finds the fish a makeshift home in time.) Who could have done such a dastardly deed? Just then, Ramon Fellini the Dog Detective arrives. While Ramon may look like an ordinary tuxedo cat, he tells the protagonist that he's "a dog in a cat costume"--and a Master of Disguise. Ramon peppers the child with rapid-fire questions, then decides to take the investigation, and the hapless victim, outside--you know, in order "to recognize the suspect." Nothing to see here! Ramon returns alone, having reached a truly unbelievable conclusion. All's well that ends well…or is it? Though the protagonist remains blissfully unaware, the illustrations and Ramon's slip of the (scratchy) tongue make it crystal clear who's to blame for this catastrophe, earning this Brazilian import, translated from Portuguese by the author, a well-deserved spot amid the slew of stories in which the main character skips blithely into disaster while a delighted audience screams, "You're going the wrong way!" The expressive artwork is appealing; the light-skinned, wide-eyed, bespectacled moppet is all worry and naïveté, while self-assured Ramon, with his magnifying glass and case file, is a delightfully devious detective. This is a charming read for those who like their stories a little macabre--and a lot tongue-in-cheek. A hilarious reminder for all: Beware the cats--especially those with dubious claims and credentials.(Picture book. 4-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.