Sherlock Roach and the Case of the Crunchy Crumb is billed as a chapter book, but it’s a comic. And an adorable one! It’s written by Joe McGee and illustrated by Jannie Ho.
Sherlock Roach and his partner Dr. Wormston live at 221B Bedbug Street and solve crimes for the insects that live in Bugopolis. Lucille the Ladybug wants them to find out who stole her delicious crunchy crumb. Dr. Wormston, true to his character, is outraged on her behalf.
Their investigation takes them to Fast Eddie the Fly, who lives behind the trash can; Old Twitch the fiddle-playing Cricket; and Greasy Pearl, the centipede who lives under the rug.
There are clues and deductions and insect facts and a twist ending. I found the whole thing very enjoyable, although I still find myself wondering how Dr. Wormston, with no arms or legs, manages to write up the cases. This inset panel suggests magic, or maybe psychic powers.
The book also has a few pages at the end with facts about ladybugs, flies, roaches, centipedes, and of course, cockroaches. No worms, though. Maybe in the sequel, Sherlock Roach and the Case of the Sticky Situation, which is due out February 2027. I’ve already ordered it.
English (US) · 