First edition for the United States published in 2014
by Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.
First published in Great Britain in 2013 by Orion Children’s Books,
a division of the Orion Publishing Group Ltd., Orion House,
5 Upper St. Martin’s Lane, London WC2H 9EA, Great Britain
Text and illustrations copyright © Kate Pankhurst 2013
The right of Kate Pankhurst to be identified as the author
and illustrator of this work has been asserted.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be
reproduced in any form or by any means without the
written permission of the copyright owner.
All inquiries should be addressed to:
Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.
250 Wireless Boulevard, Hauppauge, New York 11788
eISBN: 978-1-4380-9289-8
First eBook Publication: September 2014
For Dad and Andrew
Contents
Sunday October 25th
Monday October 26th
Tuesday October 27th
Wednesday October 28th
Thursday October 29th
Friday October 30th
Saturday October 31st
Operation Hair Scare
Sunday November 1st
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
1:30 PM
GARDEN, 22 SYCAMORE AVENUE (MY HOUSE)
I have high hopes that Watson (pet cat and trusty sidekick) will become the world’s first fully trained detective’s sniffer cat.
SNIFFER CAT INTENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM
Expert Team of Cat Trainers (and Mystery Solvers)
Violet Maple
Mystery Girl and Chief Cat Behavior Analyst. Violet has been observing Watson’s progress. She is totally allergic to cats so she has to do this from a safe distance (approximately five feet) to prevent sneezing fits.
Poppy Holmes
Mystery Girl and Sniffer Cat Coaching Monitor. In charge of thinking up new challenges for Watson. She’s really good at this because she is the team captain of our local synchronized swimming team, the Puddleford Puddles.
Mariella Mystery (me)
Also a Mystery Girl and Chief Cat Handler. I know Watson best, so I’ve been guiding him through the intensive training challenges.
KITTY CHALLENGE SIX: TRACKING THE SCENT OF A MISSING PERSON
10:00 AM: Poppy and I nominate Violet to be the missing person. Violet says she’s not sure Watson is ready for this, but goes inside the house to hide.
10:07 AM: We let Watson sniff Violet’s sweater and give him a clear instruction: “Find Violet, Watson, find Violet.” (I read in the Young Super Sleuth’s Handbook that it’s important to give clear instructions to sniffer dogs. I’m sure the same is true for cats.)
10:10 AM: Watson heads toward the house and disappears through the cat flap. This is good. He is following Violet’s scent!
10:18 AM: Poppy and I go to investigate.
10:33 AM: We hear a screeching noise and thudding. Has Watson located Violet?
10:34 AM: Source of disturbing noise levels located in The Chief Cat Distractor’s bedroom.
CHIEF CAT DISTRACTOR (AKA ARTHUR MYSTERY):
Totally annoying little brother, aged five and three quarters.
10:35 AM: The true extent of Arthur’s
