MONTGOMERY BONBON

A 10-year-old who’s “mainly interested in murders. Solving murders, that is” finally gets a crack at a mystery that unfolds in a classic country house setting.

In this third series entry, Bonnie Montgomery arrives at Adderstone Manor disguised as pint-size detective Montgomery Bonbon, complete with a “wobbly” foreign accent. She’s accompanied by Grampa Banks and her friend Dana Hornville. Infamous criminal Fergus Croke, who owns the manor, invited Monsieur Bonbon to referee a game—the prize is a diamond and the chance to be named Fergus’ heir. His apprentices, notable for their dubious talents, will participate in the scavenger hunt: pickpocket Daniel Devant, picklock Frankie Novak, and bank robber Naomi Igarashi. When Fergus is found murdered in the monkey house, the housekeeper calls the police, but Bonnie is sure they’ll botch the investigation. There’s monkey business afoot, but the exotic pets loved Fergus and shouldn’t take the fall for the murder, no matter what Bonnie’s rival, Inspector Prashanti Sands, believes. Meanwhile, the apprentices want that diamond! Powell’s lively illustrations capture key moments in the story, and humor, misdirection, and explosions add color. The girls’ friendship endures a blowup, too, when Bonnie feels threatened by Dana’s intellect. The answer? Working together. Between Grampa’s crime-scene photos, Dana’s undercover work, and Bonnie’s deductions, the murderer—and the diamond—are soon in hand. Bonnie and Grampa present white, and the supporting cast contains racial diversity.

Vraiment, another standout.