Books with author Monsell

Can a rock hopper penguin save Smiling Sally’s Diner from extortion? Meet Mr. Pin, just arrived from the South Pole, who has a sharp eye for clues, unusual talents, and a strong taste for chocolate. “Lively plotting, staccato, deadpan delivery in whimsical parody of Dashiell Hammett; an economical style and carefully controlled repetition of ideas and phrases and an engaging hero combine in these three genuinely funny, brief mysteries.”—Kirkus An IRA/CBC Children’s Choice “Kids will like this penguin detective and will cheer him on.”—ALA Booklist “An inviting, non-threatening, easy chapter book.”—School Library Journal

“ the rock hopper penguin chuckled softly to himself, turned away from the diner, and disappeared into the fog. A moment later the lights in Smiling Sally’s Diner went out.” Could famous penguin detective Mr. Pin be involved in a crime? In another case, Cubs manager Walter Wavemin needs Mr. Pin’s help. Chicago sees double in the two pun-filled mysteries. “Lively plotting, staccato, deadpan delivery in whimsical parody of Dashiell Hammett; an economical style and carefully controlled repetition of ideas and phrases and an engaging hero genuinely funny, brief mysteries.”—Kirkus “Kids will like this penguin detective.”—ALA Booklist

Will Mr. Pin survive a “case” of bad chocolate? Can priceless dinosaur eggs be found? And just who is Mort Chisel? In a second story, an opera conductor with a mysterious name disappears in a cloud of blue smoke. Rave Reviews for Mr. Pin Books: “Two more neatly plotted adventures of the penguin detective staccato, deadpan delivery in whimsical parody of Dashiell Hammett genuinely funny, brief mysteries.”—Kirkus An IRA/CBC Children’s Choice “Kids will like this penguin detective and will cheer him on.”—ALA Booklist “An inviting, non-threatening, easy chapter book.”—School Library Journal

Could master spy Gargoyle be back? And what would he want with an innocent fish? In a second story, Chicago shuts down and penguin detective Mr. Pin brings his chocolate expertise to the case. “Lively plotting, staccato, deadpan delivery in whimsical parody of Dashiell Hammett; an economical style and carefully controlled repetition of ideas and phrases and an engaging hero...genuinely funny, brief mysteries.”—Kirkus An IRA/CBC Children’s Choice “Kids will like this penguin detective and will cheer him on.”—ALA Booklist “An inviting, non-threatening, easy chapter book.”—School Library Journal