Zeb and Bel: A Case of Bird Problems
A Graphic Novel
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- $10.99
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- $10.99
Publisher Description
The Secret Life of Pets meets Only Murders in the Building in this cozy mystery from award-winning graphic novelist Rachel Elliott.
Mysteries abound in Perpleck City, and it’s Bel the black cat’s first day as a detective…But unfortunately, there’s never a mystery to solve in the apartment building where she lives with her goofy dog brother, Zeb, and their human, Josephine. So when local prankster, Payton Parakeet, goes missing during a neighborhood magic show, Bel can’t wait to put her detective skills to the test. Is this just another one of Payton’s pranks, or perhaps…a case of fowl play?
As accusations begin to fly and the suspect list grows, Zeb and Bel must team up to get to the bottom of this feathery mystery. Hilarious hijinks, daring escapades, and flights of fancy are at the heart of this graphic novel that will keep you giggling and guessing on every page. (And if you keep your eyes peeled for clues as you read, you might even crack the case before Zeb and Bel!)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Elliott (The Real Riley Mayes) channels the anthropomorphic animalian absurdity of Bunnicula in this energetic graphic novel series launch. Black cat detective Bel and her scruffy dog brother Zeb (whose sleuthing skills are less refined than Bel's) go on high alert when their neighbor, Payton Parakeet, goes missing in the middle of performing a magic trick with his brown-skinned human Carlo. After ruling out potential suspects, including "outdoor omnivore" cat Milo, the investigative duo set their sights on a human building resident whose high heels seem to match the prints they find at the crime scene. As they continue their inquiry, the animal siblings venture beyond the familiar comforts of their apartment courtyard. Human characters' inability to understand their animal companions' laugh-out-loud dialogue allows readers to feel like they're in on the joke as they accompany the furry duo on their adventure. Bel's dry yet cheeky case notes emphasize the pooch and feline's unlikely closeness and highlight how relying on each other's differences and individual strengths—such as Bel's practical, business-minded persona and Zeb's free-spirited attitude—makes their partnership stronger. Human characters are depicted with various skin tones. Ages 8–12.
