Have you heard of Montgomery Bonbon?
No?
He’s only the world’s greatest detective — the gentleman detective with the bristly mustache, fashionable beret, and accent that’s hard to place.
Montgomery Bonbon is responsible for solving many high-stakes crimes, including unmasking the Emmental Bandit, restoring the Rusakova diamonds to their rightful owner, and busting an international owl-smuggling ring, resulting in the arrest of over twelve owls.
The brainchild of stand-up comedian Alasdair Beckett-King and illustrator Claire Powell, The Montgomery Bonbon books unfold through delightful tongue-in-cheek narration that will appeal to fans of the Lemony Snicket series.
Beckett-King engaging text and Powell’s stylized illustrations are used in concert, each moving the story forward.
Though the books hover at 300 pages, they are illustrated throughout, making the books feel much shorter.
With mystery and hijinks from beginning to end Montgomery Bonbon has broad appeal.
The first two books in the series — Murder at the Museum and Death at the Lighthouse — are already available. The third book, Mystery at the Manor, is expected out June 3. Learn more about the individual stories below.
MONTGOMERY BONBON: MURDER AT THE MUSEUM, by Alasdair Beckett-King and Claire Powell, Candlewick, Feb. 11, 2025, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
Montgomery Bonbon is needed on a case close to home, at the Hornville Museum in Bonnie Mongomery’s hometown of Widdlington, where a mysterious death has occurred. Don’t look too carefully, however—from certain angles, Montgomery Bonbon looks suspiciously like a ten-year-old girl . . . Brimming with charm and wit, this debut offering from comedian and writer Alasdair Beckett-King and best-selling illustrator Claire Powell is a delightful modern take on the classic whodunit. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick
MONTGOMERY BONBON: DEATH AT THE LIGHTHOUSE, by Alasdair Beckett-King and Claire Powell, Candlewick, Feb. 11, 2025, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
Bonnie Montgomery is finally getting a vacation from cracking cases as her alter ego, Montgomery Bonbon. But something terribly fishy happens the moment she and Grampa Banks arrive on Odde Island—and it’s not just the smell of the harbor. There’s been a mysterious death at the lighthouse, and what everyone assumed was an accident is setting Bonbon’s mustache all aquiver: something is Highly Suspicious. When a second death takes place, Bonnie is sure the two are connected. But can she solve this case alone, or will she need double the detectives to solve double the murders? —Synopsis provided by Candlewick
Copyright © 2025 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.
