THE SHREW DETECTIVE: THE CASE OF THE PILFERED PEARLS, by Margi Preus and Junyi Wu, Harry N. Abrams, May 19, 2026, Hardcover, $15.99 (ages 8-12)
A curious shrew helps solve a mystery and save lives in The Shrew Detective: The Case of the Pilfered Pearls, by Margi Preus and Junyi Wu.
Mystery: Something that is difficult or impossible to understand.
With a curious mind and a vast vocabulary (thanks to her wallpaper―pages of a discarded human dictionary), tiny Minerva Shrew would love nothing more than to solve the Big Mysteries of Life and the Universe.
Instead, in The Case of the Pilfered Pearls, she’s called upon to help her cousin Tenacity solve a mystery in the most dangerous of places: a human house. When a string of pearls goes missing, the human owner is sure a “dreadful rodent” has pilfered them―and now the lives of all Minerva’s friends are at risk! Will Minerva find the true culprit before the exterminators arrive? —Synopsis provided by Harry N. Abrams
The Case of the Pilfered Pearls is the first book in a charming new series from Newbery Honor–winning author Margi Preus and artist Junyi Wu.
The series is being billed as “Wind in the Willows meets Enola Holmes,” and it’s easy to see the comparison. There’s a bright, almost cozy, feel to Preus’ writing that readers will immediately connect with. Wit, charm, suspense and adventure all add up to a 120-page read that is accessible and entertaining.
Readers will appreciate short chapters that will stretch their vocabulary skills and keep them coming back for more. It’s a book that will make a fun read aloud or lone venture. Wu’s illustrations are charming and enhance the overall feel of the book. And delightful back matter includes more about the creatures featured in the book — pygmy shrews, chipmunks and flying squirrels.
The Case of the Pilfered Pearls is a short read that has the makings of a great series. It’s a good option for less confident readers and more advanced ones, too. The publisher’s suggested age range is 8-12, but it’s a good choice for 7-year-olds who have advanced past early chapter books
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