Montgomery Bonbon: Murder at the Museum

Montgomery Bonbon is the super- sleuth pseudonym of a 10-year-old Bonnie, who loves nothing more than donning her lustrous moustache and getting to grips with a mystery.

In this story, Bonnie’s visit to the local museum of curiosities is somewhat interrupted by  he small matter of a murder, and the theft of the most famous exhibit: the Widdlington Eagle. This is wonderful news for Bonnie, who hastily disguises herself as the world’s finest detective – Montgomery Bonbon – and begins looking for clues. Quickly, she identifies several suspects, all of whom are singular characters with individual quirks and questionable connections with the museum. Beckett-King has fun in his description of them: the frizzy- haired horticulturist with plants sprouting out of every pocket, and the indomitable handy-woman who caretakes the museum are especially good comedy value.

Like all respectable detectives, Bonbon is despised by the local Police Inspector and relies heavily upon the sensible and practical nature of her sidekick, Grampa Banks. The relationship between Bonnie and Grampa is adorable. Like all perfect grandparents, he is quietly proud of Bonnie and loves secretly spoiling her and indulging her hobbies – even when Mum really doesn’t want him to. He is handy as a sidekick, too, and helps move the story forward beyond Bonbon’s lengthy monologues (which are frequent).

Murder at the Museum delivers a good deal of laughs and is a love letter to classic Christie novels that will delight any parents reading the book to their children. As well as the obvious inclusion of a somewhat conspicuous moustache, the story features the assembly of a cast of curious characters connected by mysterious truths, and has a big- reveal-climax that is thoroughly rewarding. Though there is a little room for more originality and surprises in further outings for Montgomery Bonbon, young readers are  sure to enjoy the twists and turns – and laughs – of this playful introduction to crime fiction.