A Case of Bird Problems

Zeb and Bel #1

by Rachel Elliott

The Secret Life of Pets meets Only Murders in the Building in this cozy mystery from award-winning graphic novelist Rachel Elliott.

Mysteries abound in Perpleck City, and it’s Bel the black cat’s first day as a detective…But unfortunately, there’s never a mystery to solve in the apartment building where she lives with her goofy dog brother, Zeb, and their human, Josephine. So when local prankster, Payton Parakeet, goes missing during a neighborhood magic show, Bel can’t wait to put her detective skills to the test. Is this just another one of Payton’s pranks, or perhaps…a case of fowl play?

As accusations begin to fly and the suspect list grows, Zeb and Bel must team up to get to the bottom of this feathery mystery. Hilarious hijinks, daring escapades, and flights of fancy are at the heart of this graphic novel that will keep you giggling and guessing on every page. (And if you keep your eyes peeled for clues as you read, you might even crack the case before Zeb and Bel!)

160 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication January 27, 2026

Reviews

[Sophy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This charming story is about animal siblings — a puppy named Zeb and a kitty named Bel, who are brother and sister. Though they’re polar opposites, they always have each other’s backs, each bringing their own strengths and weaknesses to the team. In this adventure, they set out to find their missing bird friend and might just solve the case together!

This is a wonderful story for young kids, filled with lessons about teamwork, problem-solving, and caring for others. The art is bright, fun, and absolutely adorable — perfect for storytime or early readers who love animal adventures.

[Stephanie Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super fun read and the illustrations are super cute. This is Bel the black cat’s first day as a detective but there aren’t ever any mysteries to solve in their apartment building until Prankster Payton the Parakeet goes missing during a magic show. Bel has to put her detective skills to the test with the help of her goofy dog brother Zeb to find Payton and crack the case. The mystery was really fun and easy to follow but kept you guessing until the end.

Thanks to HarperAlley and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

[Lisa Davidson]

Fantastic cozy mystery for young readers! I loved the animal interactions, the family loyalty, and the mystery itself. This was humorous and clever, and could inspire kids to become lifelong mystery fans.

[Lissa Hawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This was so cute! Zeb and Bel are fun "sibling" detectives. The mystery was creative and well thought out. And the characters clever and joyful.

Recommended for kids and those young at heart.