Monsieur Mustard: The Disappearance of Fabio Fangtooth

This illustrated detective novel for children is lavishly published in vibrant shades of mustard yellow and inky blank – like the palette of a classic film noir…with a side of cheese! The story is a fun and playful introduction to the mystery genre and is the curtain-raiser for a new, diminutive detective hero.

In a world where all characters are animals, Monsieur Mustard is merely a mouse but, what he lacks in stature, he makes up for in style. Like all famous detectives, he has a singular, trademark look: a mustard and brown check blazer and matching bowtie topped off by a golden monocle and jet-black umbrella. It is an appearance that has adorned the front page of many a Paris newspaper, thanks to the countless crimes he has solved, and now he has made the move to Bath, England, where all the animals are excited to have such a celebrity move into town.

Moments after Mustard’s arrival in Bath, there is a juicy and frightful mystery to be solved. When restaurateur Fabio Fangtooth goes missing under very curious circumstances, it marks the beginning of a string of disappearances that has the City Police (a hilarious flock of cake-obsessed pigeons, ably abetted by big, friendly bulls) befuddled, and desperate for help from a world-famous rodent.

Monsieur Mustard quickly sets about going through his usual steps to crack the case but, in this unfamiliar city, he does not get everything his own way. As more animals go missing, Mustard is frustrated by clues that lead down dead ends and cul-de-sacs, and he is forced to contend with incompetent officials and distracting, flatulent sycophants desperate to become his sidekick. If that wasn’t hard enough, whoever the villain is obviously has a specific vendetta against the famous mouse and is taking every opportunity to publicise Mustard’s failures.

The story’s action moves along swiftly, with intriguing, new clues arriving with enough frequency to maintain interest and keep readers guessing. It is an innovative narrative. Though most of the story is told in prose on brightly illustrated pages, there are occasional thematic shifts into a more classic comic book style, and an immersive feel is created through constantly describing sound effects in little bold calligrams.

There is intrigue and drama and – overall – an endearing, whimsical tone with lots of humorous moments. An effort to appeal to juvenile readers is apparent through far too many fart jokes that are quite unnecessary and undermine what is otherwise a charming and delightful group of characters.