Detective Stanley and the Mystery at the Museum - by Hannah Tunnicliffe (Paperback)

About the Book

"Detective Stanley has barely sat down for his breakfast pancakes when he receives an invitation he cannot refuse. The Narlybone Museum has been raided on the opening day of the Bleat Mondrian show and Stan has been called to investigate. The most perplexing thing about the case: Nothing has been stolen! But now Stanley finds himself in a tight spot even his powers of deduction could not detect. Can he get himself out of trouble and can he solve the mystery of the Narlybone Museum?" --publisher's website.

Book Synopsis

This funny and colorful graphic novel mystery about a plucky detective dog and an art theft case is perfect for early and reluctant readers and fans of Mercy Watson

Chaos at the Art Museum! Can Detective Stanley solve the case?

Detective Stanley has barely sat down for his breakfast pancakes when he receives an invitation he cannot refuse. The Art Museum has been raided on the opening day of the Bleat Mondrian show and Stan has been called to investigate.

The most perplexing thing about the case: Nothing has been stolen! But now Stan finds himself in a tight spot even his powers of deduction could not detect. Can he get himself out of trouble and can he solve the mystery of the Art Museum?

Detective Stanley is a colorful and hilarious young graphic reader that is perfect to be enjoyed by emerging and reluctant readers by themselves, or reading along with a parent, carer or teacher.

Review Quotes

"This boldly illustrated graphic novel series kickoff by Tunnicliffe and Harrison stars a pancake-loving, Sherlock-style black and white dog with floppy ears and piercing eyes as the eponymous sleuth. ... Clear line drawings and single-plane compositions propel the meaty, joke-punctuated plot at a brisk pace and echo the crisp geometry and vibrant colors of Mondrian's work. Ages 6-9. (Feb.)" - Publisher's Weekly

"The newly retired Detective Stanley has just sat down to a stack of fresh pancakes when a mysterious letter arrives. [...] Stanley must crack the case--his very freedom depends on it. [...] Bustling, precisely constructed panels give the settings plenty of life and personality. The museum is full of homages to well-known artists; a work of art by "Bleat" Mondrian is an especially winsome addition. The scenes are bursting with other eye-catching details, particularly those in the prison: [...] The arrival of a plucky new detective on the scene is cause for celebration." - Kirkus Reviews

"A must-have graphic novel for any collection, particularly in ­libraries where mysteries are in demand." - SLJ, Fiction Series Made Simple

"Detective Stanley has an unerring nose for solving any case, and you, dear reader, will love this lovely book." -- Laura Suàrez, author of Monster Support Group

"Filled with bold outlines and rich colors, the cleverly constructed panels pack witty details into a flattened picture plane. [...] these experienced creators have devised a witty addition to the canon of animal detectives." - Booklist

"In clear, crisp art, brief text and a smidge of humor, this early graphic novel mystery is an entertaining art-related read. [...] Early grade mystery lovers who enjoy a smart, literary but easy to read mystery will snap this one up." - Stephanie Tournas, Youth Services Book Review

"Aiming at young readers with a mystery that educates. Hannah Tunnicliffe and Erica Harrison have pitched Detective Stanley almost perfectly. Like an Agatha Christie detective he's bland and polite while nothing escapes his notice, and he's placed in eye-catching environments with plenty for readers to study. [...] This is a delight. More please." -- Frank Plowright, Slings and Arrows Graphic Novel Guide

Featured on CBC's Hot Off The Press Reading List

Featured in Publisher's Weekly, Spring Children's Previews 2025

About the Author

Hannah Tunnicliffe is the author of several books for kids and adults including Canadian bestseller, The Colour of Tea and trilingual picture book, Marjory and the Mouse. Her work has featured in the New York Times Book Review and she is the founder and host of the podcast, Bod Almighty. She lives by the sea with her family which includes one licky dog and an aloof cat.

Erica Harrison is an illustrator and children's book designer from the UK. She has a degree in Graphic Arts and Design and after graduating, worked for Usborne Publishing in London. She currently lives in Auckland where she enjoys drawing animal detective stories.