It’s not easy going on holiday when you’re a detective, even if that detective is basically a not-very-convincing but surprisingly effective disguise that lives in the backpack of young Bonnie Montgomery. Last time she went with Grandpa Banks to the Pinshaw Water Park, Montgomery Bonbon had to emerge to unmask the Pinshaw Pooper. This time, however, as they travel to Odde Island, there’s a more serious crime to investigate…

When an “accidental” fall occurs from the top of the Leerie Lighthouse, M. Bonbon is quickly on the case. But when a second dead body is found in a room locked from the inside, it seems that there is something far more serious going than the usual onion smuggling…

I’m just over four and a half times the recommended reading age for this series, but I should make it clear that I’m not reading this as a favour for my younger readers. Not sure I have any readers in the 9-12 age group, but I imagine some of you might be parents to that age range. But even if you’re not… as I said, I’m not reading it just to review it, I’m reading it because I enjoy this series. A lot.

Plotwise, it’s clear that Beckett-King is a huge fan of the classic mystery. A proper whodunnit, a proper locked room with a fairly traditional solution although with, I think, a minor variation, a cast of characters who, it has to be said, are a tad eccentric…

Actually, they’re all very eccentric. Bonnie’s probably the sanest one on display, despite her habit of dressing up and putting on a very strange accent. And it’s with Bonnie where the heart of the book lies. There are some lovely scenes when she is worried about her friend, Dana, who has figured out her secret in the last book, and what this would mean for Montgomery Bonbon. Her happiness that all Dana wants to do is join in the fun is such a joy to read.

Oh, and it’s really funny too. Laugh out loud funny in places. From unsubtle (but funny) poo jokes to clever wordplay – big fan of “graft dodger” to describe the lazy rich – to just generally outright weirdness, it’s just funny. No matter how old you are…

This series is just the right thing when you’re looking for a bit of a lift – a clever, funny mystery, wonderfully illustrated. Looking forward to the next one already…