Nancy Spector, Monster Detective: The Case of the Missing Spot

Gr 2-4–Nancy Spector isn’t your average eight-year-old girl; she’s a spunky detective living in a monster-filled town. When the Invisible Man loses his invisible dog, Spot, Nancy and her prickly, sarcastic talking dog, Jinx, take the case. But how does one find an invisible dog? The search for Spot includes a dance battle with unicorn squirrels, a visit to a young vampire’s house, and even a trip inside the belly of a dragon. Nancy must use her wits, her guts, and the reluctant help of sidekick Jinx to solve the mystery. While there is fun gross-out humor (think snot and vomit) and some very light gore, it is often challenging to follow the plot and characters. The book alludes to the death of Nancy’s parents and her past cases without fully explaining them, which can be confusing for readers. The cliff-hanger ending is also unsatisfying; this feels more like a second book in the series rather than the first. The art is a highlight, with vibrant colors and lovely details. Observant readers will find clues hidden throughout the illustrations.