Sleuth & Solve: Art: 20+ Mind-Twisting Mysteries

by Ana Gallo, Victor Escandell (illustrator)

Genres: Mystery, Childrens

60 pages, Hardcover

Published April 15, 2025

Reviews

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using logic or their imagination, kids can join with friends and family or be their own detective and solve the mysteries in the newest addition to the Sleuth & Solve series. Each puzzle will share art history alongside a mystery or puzzle to solve. Some puzzles are easier, others more difficult. Each is labeled with the skills needed and the difficulty level.

Once you read through the story, there are questions to answer or something to investigate. Pull the answer card back to reveal the answers. The puzzles travel through the years of Art History, beginning with the Prehistoric Era and ending with the Modern and Contemporary Art of the present day. Whether your child is knowledgeable in Art History or they are eager to learn, this book will keep them busy for a few hours.

I realized I didn’t know as much about Art History as I thought I did. Some of the puzzles were easy for me, while others I had no idea what the answer was. The cartoon-like illustrations are funny and will keep kids interested. Often, they won’t even realize they are learning because they will be so invested in the puzzle.

The final pages include 14 various artistic activities your child can try. Completing one a week will take them right through the summer break. The items needed, and the steps to take to complete the puzzle, along with an illustration, make each of the activities easy to create with just a few needed supplies. Kids can create a Triptych, a Chiaroscuro Picture, or a Cubist Self-Portrait. Maybe at the end of the summer, they could host an art show.

This book (and series) is perfect for kids who like to work on their own, but it’s also great as a family activity or with a group of friends. Anytime you can combine learning with fun activities, it’s a win for kids.

[Elle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Logic and imagination challenges encourage critical thinking while young readers learn about art history. However, it’s frustrating that no answer key is included (even if suggested answers for the imagination challenges).

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this entertaining eARC.

"Sleuth & Solve: Art" by Ana Gallo is a delightful puzzle book that invites readers into a world of creative deduction, blending visual artistry with the thrill of unraveling mind-twisting mysteries.

This book is an immersive experience in critical thinking and artistic perception. Each challenge is meticulously crafted to engage both the logical and imaginative parts of the brain. The integration of art-themed mysteries adds a distinctive flavor, making it a refreshing departure from conventional logic puzzle books. Readers don’t just decode patterns or solve word-based riddles—they interpret visual clues, analyze compositions, and think outside the frame, quite literally.

"Sleuth & Solve: Art" fosters a sense of curiosity and creativity. The book encourages readers to approach problem-solving in a holistic way, weaving together elements of observation, deduction, and lateral thinking. The illustrations play a crucial role, serving as both aesthetic enhancements and essential components of the puzzles themselves.

For those who love engaging their minds while indulging in visually stimulating storytelling, this book offers a rewarding experience. It’s perfect for puzzle enthusiasts who appreciate a challenge with a splash of artistic inspiration. Whether you're a seasoned sleuth or a casual observer, the mysteries within these pages will leave you entertained and creatively invigorated.

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this one focused on art and artists from prehistory to the present. It has a tutorial at the start and then a well-written chronology. Each double page describes a scene with relevant information about the period or the personality, then presents us with a riddle/question. These are ranked in levels of difficulty.

The answers are under the question. Just lift the paper to reveal each answer.

The ones that use logic are challenging and interesting to discover the odd element in the description (for example the prehistoric one was a blue dog, the color blue wasn't used at that time, and dogs weren't pets as we have them now. The ones that use imagination are fun because the answer is in the language or pun or some other loopholes.

In the end, we are presented with some artistic ideas and activities to do (they are all different style, type, and creative)

[Reading Adventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so fun not just for kids, adults will love this book too. This creative book puts you in that detective vibe. Over 20 mysteries based on art history. We are the detectives working through the clues by using deduction and logical reasoning to solve each mystery. We visit many art styles and art periods throughout the book. So fun. This book gets your imagination going and brings out the artist in each of us. We loved the Deco Daze and Sneaky Graffiti mysteries. Even better the book encourages us to read & solve with friends which will help them build on teamwork skills. A fun way to introduce the arts and its creators. This makes a great gift for any mystery and logic solving fans in your life. Perfect to enjoy with your family.

[Dest · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kid and I love to read this series together.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved the art style and the mysteries were really fun! definitely interesting to learn about the different art movements through this format :)