Rory Branagan: Detective #1

At first I wasn't sure if I could get into 350 pages of stick figures. Well. Excuuuuuse me for being such a drip. This book was an engaging hoot.First off, as to the art, these aren't really stick figures. They're more like sneaky minimalist sketches that, once you get on track, are clever and expressive. Sure, the kids don't have hands or feet, and the arms and legs are sticks, but the secret is in the faces and especially the eyes. Name an emotion, an attitude, or a thought, and this illustrator will give you the right eyes. This book is for young readers, and these illustrations just guide you right through the narrative. It's quite an accomplishment.As to the narrative, it is as antic as you might expect. You have the kid hero detective, who starts out sort of confused and a bit gormless. You have the smart as a whip, slightly acid, almost a know-it-all, spunky kid girl hero. This follows the tradition of kid detectives who don't quite know what they're doing, never fully understand exactly what's happening, and stumble around with lots of high energy and good intentions until inspiration strikes and the mystery gets solved.But apart from the mystery and the action, the most fun is just following the mind of our hero Rory. The narrative is in the first person, so what you get is pure Rory telling you a story. It jumps around, it ebbs and flows, the mood is haphazard, and the whole thing is an energetic rollercoaster ride. Since Rory is a decent, relatable kid the overall effect is upbeat and authentic in an exaggerated and manic way. And, since the overall story arc for the six books in this series has to do with how and why Rory's Dad disappeared, there's some shameless heartstring tugging going on as well.I have no idea where to put the reading demo here. It could be for ambitious younger readers who are willing to let some of the bits go over their heads, or it could be for older and more confident readers who don't mind the sketchy art and the youngish main characters. Either way this was enough knuckleheaded fun that I'd be happy to try this first volume on any kid just to see if it clicked. As I said, I thought it was a goofy hoot.

Absolutely the best book! Your kids (and you) will LOVE this! Its fun and silly and totally engaging. Brilliant! Can't wait for the second book...

Gift for grandson who loves this series

RORY BRANAGAN: DETECTIVE. As a kid I snapped up mystery and detective series like Harriet the Spy. In fact I wanted to BE a real-life version of Harriet the Spy, and I still dream of writing a funny, zesty, child-detective series. So yes, I'm jealous of Andrew Clover, but that fact does not stop me from adoring Rory Branagan, Detective, and his loyal companions (some human, some dogs).The Rory Branagan books (I dole them out; currently on Book Two in the series) are perfect for children who love graphic novels, laughter, and actual mysteries. They're also perfect for grownups who love the same things. Illustrations (by Ralph Lazar) are hilarious, full of motion, and propel you from page to page because they're irresistible. (I mean, just look at that cover.)Gobble up one of these books in an hour or pace yourself to make them last. Five out of five stars!

Rory Branagan was three when his father left. He’s now ten and no one tells him anything. Rory lives with his mother, older brother Seamus who kind of looks like a banana with stick figure arms and legs, and Auntie Jo who isn’t really an Auntie.Rory’s best friend is Wilkens Welkin, a sausage dog owned by elderly neighbour/babysitter Mrs Welkin. Rory is also friends with Corner Boy who stands on a corner, spear in hand, ready to hit you with it if you go near him without asking first. Corner Boy’s father seems to make a living by selling unpackaged goods that may have fallen off the back of a truck.Cassidy Corrigan-or-Callaghan (depending on which of the two surnames she uses to introduce herself you believe) and her parents have just moved in next door. Their house was previously empty for three years and this empty home used to be the biggest mystery on Rory’s street. After spotting Rory spying on her parents Cassidy and Rory strike up a conversation and then hang out for most of the rest of the book.I get the feeling Cassidy is supposed to be strong, smart and mysterious but she annoyed me a lot. She’s a brash know-it-all who seems to do as she pleases, including rummaging through Rory’s mother’s bedroom looking for evidence just minutes after meeting Rory.What begins as Rory and Cassidy deciding to solve the mystery of Rory’s MIA father turns into their first case as detective and accomplice when it appears that Corner Boy’s father may have been poisoned.This new series (the first of seven books) is marketed as comedy-crime, but I didn’t find this first book funny. With a lot of series already established that are pretty much half story and half illustration there needs to be something special to make another new series a must-read for me. The illustrations weren’t the type I’d usually pick up a book for. However I was partial to the sharks and the “huge puffer fish that has hair like Donald Trump”.I didn’t really connect with any of the characters and none of them had that personality spark that makes me want to read the next book immediately. The mystery got solved too easily and while we’re given a hint about Rory’s father at the end of the book, I get the feeling that this mystery is going to get dragged out to the end of the series. I might give the second book a try to see if it gets into a groove but this one felt like it was trying too hard.

My kids like this storyGood !

Really enjoyable. Loved the story and illustrations. Can’t wait for next book

Funny, fast-paced with a quirky humour and real heart, this is a thoughtful comic detective story. I think it will hugely appeal to anyone with a sense of curiosity and adventure.

My son loved this book from page one. Rory Branagan is fun and fearless oh and is actually a detective! A great read my son is now hooked on the series. Brilliant illustrations of characters.

We love it!

My 9 year old son loves these books.