4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
I was so delightfully arrested by the contents of the book entitled, Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat by R.F. Kristi that I found myself smiling all the way to the end of the story. It is the seventh book of the Inca Cat Detective Series and is categorized under the Children’s Book genre. Although young children are its target audience, this book will similarly find favor among its adult readers. The cast of characters features Inca, the cat who is the queen of detectives and heads the detective agency, Inca and Company Detective Agency; her siblings, Cara, and Fromage with Charlotte, the hamster, clinging to his neck for dear life. Also added to the team are Mom, their human mother, her friend, Detective Solo and his dog Terrance who are a part of Inca’s detective team.
The plot of the story surrounds a sword that went missing from a museum in Sri Lanka, India, where Inca, and her family visit for a nine (9) days vacation. Solo who is assigned to solve the case of the missing sword, brings with him Terrance, his dog. As the case unfolds, Inca’s inquisitorial’s instincts start to activate. She and Terrance enthusiastically engage their animal team to join in the quest to solve the mystery of the missing sword. They are also assisted by their new friends, Rani the turtle, Meena the baby elephant, and her Mama Elephant.
This enchanting story is written in the first person from the perspective of the main protagonist Inca the meddlesome cat. She and her animal team all seem to possess keen sleuthing capabilities. They are all poised and confident, and always willing to perform any task given to them. Inca, however, always wants to be the center of attention and will do anything to show her team that she is in charge.
I love the way that Author Kristi has developed the story to keep the animal detectives’ role in solving the cases, shrouded in mystery. This will add more intrigue to other upcoming series, although it detracts from them being given their well-deserved credit. The principles that are in this book will promote honesty and other good moral values in individuals, especially children who are impressionable and need a good role model to emulate. Author Kristi has indeed equipped the animals with enviable human qualities, such as their keen analytic perception that can be patterned, even by human beings.
The prose is vibrant, energetic, and conjures-up captivating and picturesque images to the minds of the readers. This is supported by beautifully created illustrated drawings that depict Inca, her family, and friends caught in action. I have observed that the moods in the entire book are teamwork and happiness that can easily be seen by how the animals and humans interact with love and respect toward each other, even while performing their duties. The message lucidly conveyed by Author Kristi to her audience is that it never pays to be dishonest because you will be brought to justice in the end.
My only issue with this book is that Author Kristi has chosen to use some big words and acronyms that may detract from a child reading this book for pure enjoyment. For example, she mentioned the acronym U.N.E.S.C.O., without explaining that it means the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. I understand that she may be seeking to develop a child’s ability to master the English vocabulary but unfortunately, this method may cause some type of distraction from the fun and adventure settings provided in this book. I have noticed only sparse errors that are not relevant to mention, therefore, I will, unhesitatingly, confer a 4 out of 4 stars rating on this book.
I highly recommend this book to persons who are interested in detective work as they will be provided with common-sense investigative approaches to solving crimes. Also, this book is so packed with fun, adventure and humor that it will be therapeutic to both children and adult alike.
******
Serendipity Mystery
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like crediblereading2's review? Post a comment saying so!