Trouble in Bugland

Inspector Mantis Mysteries #1

by William Kotzwinkle, Joe Servello (Illustrator)

Inspector Mantis, accompanied by his trusted colleague Doctor Hopper, go forth from their little flat at 221B Flea Street to solve "The Case of the Missing Butterfly," "The Case of the Caterpillar's Head," and three other antennae-bending mysteries puzzling the populace of Bugland.

Criminal detection, combined with delightful insect characters, makes this, in the words of The Horn Book, "the most engaging and cleverest reincarnation of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson yet." Joe Servello's color and pen-and-ink drawings bring exquisite period detail to these tales: steam engines, deerstalkers, fog, and mandibles have never been more lovingly crosshatched.

This is a treat for any kid--as a read-alone or read-aloud--who loves a funny mystery.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Animal Fiction, Childrens

190 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

William Kotzwinkle is a two-time recipient of the National Magazine Award for Fiction, a winner of the World Fantasy Award, the Prix Litteraire des Bouquinistes des Quais de Paris, the PETA Award for Children's Books, and a Book Critics Circle award nominee. His work has been translated into dozens of languages.

Reviews

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining and amusing pastiche of Sherlock Holmes stories, featuring insects in all the roles. Includes five different mystery stories.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very cute book. It might be for children, but it teaches cool things about nature. These are insects who are detectives and criminals. These are short stories in the style of Sherlock Holmes. I did not realize until just now that there is a second book, which I cannot wait to read. I really hope that the illustrations are as stellar as the book was, as I would like to give it to my nephews.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book,it was the first book I read of this writer William Kotzwinkle!

[Boweavil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but not overwhelming. A bit too YA for me.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun and clever. I wanted a bit more from the mysteries, but this is a children's book after all. Cool illustrations. I connected with Dr. Hopper's deep love of popcorn.

[Ridhi Sharma]

A children’s book, read solely because I was told a friend of mine loved it growing up.
The nostalgia of having pictures in books hit me so hard.
Who decided we were too old for them?

[Shelly Donaghey · Rating 4 out of 5]

TROUBLE IN BUGLAND by William Kotzwinkle and, as the cover will tell you, profusely illustrated by Joe Servello, is one of those treasures you hope to find and so often just miss. While this was originally published in 1983, this reissue is just as fun to read now, as it must have been then.
This book will call out to the true Sherlockian in the crowd. It features a tall, insect-like detective and his shorter, more domestic minded side-kick/chronicler. This is a collection of Inspector Mantis stories and, if you haven’t guessed by now, everyone involved in these five short stories, are bugs of one kind or another.
Doctor Hopper is slightly more interested in his food delights but will follow the good inspector on all of his adventures.
While these stories do not mimic the Doyle stories, there is a certain unheralded reference to the original canon, and all respect is given to the original characters.
Whether they are on the trail the beautiful, though missing bareback rider, Miss Juliana Butterfly or seeking the deadly mystery behind The Caterpillar’s Head, this pair will tempt any danger and venture their very existence in the pursuit of justice.
Or even some nice, warm popcorn. Perhaps even a brownie or two.
The book is a delight and the illustrations certainly both aid in telling the story and make this foray into another alien world easy to digest. Bravo to both Kotzwinkle and Servello.
I won this book through Goodreads.

[Janet Squires · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Trouble In Bugland” is a fun, YA fantasy take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes – with a twist!
William Kotzwinkle offers up an imaginative collection of five mysteries: The Case of the Missing Butterfly, The Case of the Frightened Scholar, The Case of the Caterpillar’s Head, The Case of the Headless Monster, and The Case of the Emperor’s Crown.
Inspector Mantis and his colleague Doctor Hopper are on the job seeking out clues, searching for motives, and making surprising deductions as they pursue villains and stop crime in Bugland.

[Godine Publisher & Black Sparrow Press · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Do not miss!"
— Chicago Tribune

"Bravo, Joe and Bill!"
— Philadelphia Inquirer

"A first rate presentation!"
— Detroit News

"Clever and suspenseful!"
— School Library Journal, starred review

"Excitement and humor!"
— New York Times Book Review

"Sherlock Holmes fans of all ages must read this hilarious homage!"
— Newsday

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really fun the way bugs are characterized: the attorney (A. Stinkbug, esq), the very sleepy bedbug, Dr. Hopper. Fun stuff. That said, it's mostly in the fun of characters -- the stories aren't so much. Don't know how I missed it with my kids in the 80s, though.

[Niilah · Rating 3 out of 5]

L'histoire se lit vraiment facilement et est sympathique. Après il n'y a pas énormément de mystère, de suspense, mais c'est assez direct!
Un peu de mal au début avec les personnages mais après on s'habitue!

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to find, but worth it. Bought it for a friend's 6 yr old son who is very into mysteries and especially Sherlock Holmes. Fun for adults and kids to read together.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

My dad read this to me a long time ago and I remember loving it. I'd like to remember to read it to my kids.

[Faith Fishcrazy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is somewhat elementary, so I think it is geared to a elementary-school-age audience. The younger siblings will LOVE it. It is an easy read and it is a fun read.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining mysteries that would be especially well-suited to strong early middle grade readers interested in science.

[Benoite’s Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a funny short story of a Sherlock and his Watson only the bug way.