The Case of the Missing Spot (Nancy Spector: Monster Detective, Book 1)

Written by Stephen W. Martin

Illustrated by Linh Pham

Algonquin Young Readers

978-1-6437-5065-1

208 pp.

Ages 7-11

September 2024

 

A lost pet is a frightening and heartbreaking experience for many a fur parent but what if the pet is an invisible dog? Who is going to help the Invisible Man a.k.a. Professor Griffin find Spot, his invisible eight-year-old Border Collie who loves bacon? It's going to be Nancy Spector of the Monster Detective Agency.

From The Case of the Missing Spot, written by Stephen W. Martin, illustrated by Linh Pham

Nancy and her dog Jinx, who reluctantly accompanies her but will do anything for a belly scratch, start their search at the Professor's house. Except for Jinx developing a case of relentless sneezing, accompanied by copious amounts of snot, they find nothing and head to Spot's doghouse. There they discover an escape tunnel which leads to a cavern of snarly rock-like creatures and then above ground where they follow clues like a body print in wet cement–no paw prints because, of course, Spot is invisible–left by Eugene the vampire and visit Melvin's Diner where they hatch "Nancy's super awesome hot dog trap plan."

From The Case of the Missing Spot, written by Stephen W. Martin, illustrated by Linh Pham

But their trap doesn't work, and it takes more encounters with monsters and following more clues before they discover a vengeful plot and a new nemesis for Nancy but also the reunion of the Invisible Man and his Spot.

From The Case of the Missing Spot, written by Stephen W. Martin, illustrated by Linh Pham

Stephen W. Martin and Linh Pham take middle grade readers into another world–actually an island in the Atlantic Ocean–where monsters reside and the supernatural is the norm. Yet, they've made their characters playful and different. From the dragon-like monster who chows down on everything but denies eating Spot since he doesn't eat anything with fur, and Hank the two-headed rainbow-feathered bird, to Eugene's grandmother who uses bones as hairpins for her curlers, and of course, Nancy and Jinx, the characters in The Case of the Missing Spot are a little wacky with just a smidgeon of creepily weird and a whole lot of fun. And as they partake in the search for Spot, whether by design or by encounter, they keep the investigation zany and yet fruitful. 

 

Canadian-born Stephen W. Martin, a screenwriter as well as children's book author, gives young readers a little bit of everything, ensuring entertainment for them either through humour or fantasy. The humour comes by way of the characters themselves, especially via adorable Jinx, while the story is the fantasy. Readers will witness Nancy and her fellow investigators flying on Hank and a waitress with four arms, as well all manner of flamboyant monsters driving flashy cars. Everything is bold and brash and monstrously splashy in setting, characters, clothing, and more. Vancouver's Linh Pham gives this graphic novel the action and the intensity to accompany Stephen W. Martin's investigative adventure, collaborating with him to create a world like no other.

Since The Case of the Missing Spot is labelled as Book 1 in the Nancy Spector: Monster Detective series, I think we'll have more adventures and laughs coming from the eight-year-old detective and her talking dog. And since the map of their setting includes some locations not yet introduced, like the Cloud Sauna, the Never Rainbow, the Mermaid Cave, and Ice Horns, I think there will be more surprises and hoopla for Nancy and Jinx and their many acquaintances.