Detective Beans and the Map of Mystery

 Detective Beans and the Map of Mystery by Li Chen (Penguin Random House) PB RRP $17.99 ISBN 9781761353420

Here is another graphic novel by a Chinese-New Zealand author-illustrator, part of a series of full-colour graphic novels about a kitten detective. 

In this adventure, Beans is gifted a mysterious treasure map by Captain Scuttlebeard. Alongside his trusty sidekick Biscuits, Beans embarks on a clue-filled journey that leads him all over Cat Town. The duo encounters surprising obstacles, hidden secrets, and unexpected locations along the way. The goal is simple: find the treasure and make it home in time for the evening, all while engaging young readers to solve the mystery right alongside him.

Author and illustrator Li Chen utilises a beautiful, vibrant colour palette that brings Cat Town to life. The books excel at mixing text with dynamic panels, helping early readers (typically ages 7 and up) build confidence and fluency. The humour ranges from silly slapstick to clever deadpan, making it a highly enjoyable read for both kids and adults.

The Detective Beans series is widely celebrated in the children's literature community. The first book in the series, Detective Beans and the Case of the Missing Hat, won Best Junior Fiction at the New Zealand Book Awards and has sold over 90,000 copies in Australia and New Zealand. Map of Mystery is building on that legacy, with community and critical reception praising it as a quirky, clever, and colourful addition that will tickle the funny bone of any reader.