You Are the Detective: The Creeping Hand Murder

Gr 9 Up–This intriguing mix of text and images invites readers to step into the role of detective to solve the murder of writer Roy Peterson in 1930s London. Beginning with the discovery of a murdered guest at a seemingly friendly gathering, each guest is interviewed, allowing readers a glimpse into their life and possible motives for murder. After readers have made their way through the entire case file, they are asked who they believe is the culprit and to turn the page to discover if they are correct. This text is presented in the form of a complete police file, sent from one detective to another seeking help to solve the crime, which elevates this fictitious work. The cartoonish presentation of images throughout the book helps to make the heavy text feel less serious; the muted palette of blacks and grays create a somber feel, while the use of red accents and splashes in each image lend the title an art deco feel.