Just as charming, gentle, wry, and entertaining as anything that was created by A.A. Milne or Kenneth Grahame.

Kirkus Reviews

Detective Gordon: A Case with a Bang

Illustrated in full color and packed with character and humor, this is the fifth whodunnit mystery in the awardwinning Detective Gordon series, fun to read alone or aloud.

A Case with a Bang is the final book in the series of funny detective stories for early readers set in a friendly forest in which two determinedly fair police—retired-toad Gordon and the indefatigable mouse Buffy—solve the mystery and stop regularly to eat cake.

Night brings a horrible humming, scraping sound in the forest. Someone has wrecked the badger’s trash can. Later, three large creatures are spotted up on the mountain.

Detective Buffy discovers this seemingly small case really is a dangerous mystery—she comes back from her first investigation flat as a gingerbread, rolled over by something huge and terrifying.

Back at the station, retired Detective Gordon is training a new young police assistant, and the cakes have run out in the forest bakery!

While all the animals cower at the police station, Buffy remembers Gordon’s stories about trolls. Is it possible they do exist? Taking Gordon’s advice about how everyone thinks differently, she finds a way to communicate with the giant creatures—perhaps not so terrifying after all.

The book leaves readers with a memorable Gordon message: Everyone thinks differently, strangers are welcome, cakes for everybody!

This final instalment in the awardwinning Detective Gordon series is a multi-layered philosophical story about good detective work involving all, kindness to newcomers and doing the right thing.

Winner of multiple awards and accolades, Detective Gordon is a mystery series with depth—perfect for reading alone for emerging readers, wonderful for reading aloud together as a chapter book.

Read the first chapter | Look inside video


  • Book Details

    Country of Origin Sweden
    Reader Age 6-8 year
    Book Size
    ISBN

  • Reviews

    1. Good Reads with Ronna

      More than just a mystery, this book contains simple nuggets of wisdom and life lessons.

    2. Reading Time

      Equally as charming, gentle, funny, and entertaining as the rest of the series.

    3. Collected Magazine SLANZA

      Like all good children’s books, this one imparts some big messages. They are peppered throughout the story and delivered in the gentlest of ways, each universally relatable and perfectly pitched to a child’s perspective.

    4. Poetry Box – Paula Green

      A Case with a Bang is the complete package: heart warming, funny, suspenseful, twisty, both detail and character rich. A treat to read indeed.

    5. The Spinoff

      This is another multi-layered, fun tale with lovely watercolour illustrations by Indonesian artist Gitte Spee and will be a great start for kids stepping up to beginner chapter books.

    6. Youth Services Book Review

      Simple, colorful illustrations are adorable, the creatures and their evident emotions are captivating.

    7. Global Literature in Libraries Initiative

      Although each volume in the series is a satisfying stand-alone read, they’re even more satisfying read in order, as the reader gets to watch Gordon’s and Buffy’s relationship grow over time. And, in case it isn’t obvious, I love this delightful, gentle series and cannot praise it enough.

    8. Netgalley Reviewer

      Makes learning about good manners, kindness, and acceptance so much fun and very easy. I cannot recommend this series enough.

    9. Readings Bookshops

      I’m saddened this is the final book in this wonderful series. Each is written to stand alone, but once you’ve read one you’ll want to devour them all!

      With gorgeous, full-colour illustrations on almost every page, this brilliant read-aloud chapter book will entertain the whole family; highly recommended for independent readers ages 7+.

    10. Booklist

      Nilsson excels at writing imaginative, gently amusing adventures, laced with unpretentious bits of wisdom.

    11. School Library Journal

      A warm-hearted tale that readers will want to immerse themselves in. Instant classics, this series would make for perfect classroom read-alouds and a just-right match for chapter book readers.

    12. Kirkus Reviews

      Just as charming, gentle, wry, and entertaining as the rest of the series and anything that was created by A.A. Milne or Kenneth Grahame.


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