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Detective Beans #3
Detective Beans and the Map of Mystery
Your favourite kitten detective is back with a new mystery to solve . . . and treasure to find!
When Captain Scuttlebeard gives Beans a treasure map, Beans is determined to find the prize at the end. The clues take him all over Cat Town – to places he doesn’t expect! With Biscuits by his side, and with help from some other familiar faces, can Beans find the treasure . . . and get home in time to clean up his room?
DETECTIVE BEANS AND THE CASE OF THE MISSING HAT was WINNER of the Best Junior Fiction book at the New Zealand Book Awards in 2025!
When Captain Scuttlebeard gives Beans a treasure map, Beans is determined to find the prize at the end. The clues take him all over Cat Town – to places he doesn’t expect! With Biscuits by his side, and with help from some other familiar faces, can Beans find the treasure . . . and get home in time to clean up his room?
DETECTIVE BEANS AND THE CASE OF THE MISSING HAT was WINNER of the Best Junior Fiction book at the New Zealand Book Awards in 2025!
208 pages, Paperback
Published September 8, 2026
About the author
Li Chen
6 books68 followersLi Chen lives in Hamilton, New Zealand. When she's not working on comics, you can find her wandering around the neighbourhood petting local cats. (Don't tell her cats though, they'll get jealous)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
June 26, 2026
These books are genuinely adorable and what a fun continuation of the series. I also definitely think these books can really be read in any order.
(I can’t find my copy of the second or else I would of reread that one as well)
(I can’t find my copy of the second or else I would of reread that one as well)
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June 6, 2026Detective Beans is BACK. An immediate buy, I would die for this little cat.
September 10, 2026
BEANS!!
These always make me laugh. I can't wait to go on every adventure possible with Beans and Biscuits!
These always make me laugh. I can't wait to go on every adventure possible with Beans and Biscuits!
July 15, 2026
I genuinely believe Detective Beans is the greatest graphic novel series ever written
September 9, 2026
Id risk my life for Beans
June 6, 2026
I love this series SO much!!! It’s totally adorable and absolutely hilarious! Li Chen goes back to the format of the first book with a full-length story (rather than a collection of shorter stories) with Beans going on a treasure hunt. The thing I love most about these books is that Li Chen’s humour (in both the text and the illustrations) appeals to a wide audience. Parents and teachers will love them just as much as kids. I hope we have more Detective Beans to look forward to.
September 7, 2026
I adore Detective Beans! This time out, our intrepid detective is on the hunt for treasure, having acquired a treasure map. Unfortunately, his mom wants him to clean his room. But will that stop Beans? Have you met Beans?
I recommend this for cat lovers of all ages who are young at heart. The art is wonderful, Beans is delight-- a determined, earnest and sometimes oblivious sweetie-- and I enjoy the humor. I first encountered Li Chen's work in a comic post about a cat and a glass of water and I have been a fan ever since.
My favorite by a whisker is the second book in the series, which has some very funny short stories. I think that's the one I would gift to someone to introduce them to the mysterious world of Detective Beans.
I recommend this for cat lovers of all ages who are young at heart. The art is wonderful, Beans is delight-- a determined, earnest and sometimes oblivious sweetie-- and I enjoy the humor. I first encountered Li Chen's work in a comic post about a cat and a glass of water and I have been a fan ever since.
My favorite by a whisker is the second book in the series, which has some very funny short stories. I think that's the one I would gift to someone to introduce them to the mysterious world of Detective Beans.
October 4, 2026
I finally got around to reading Detective Beans and the Map of Mystery, and it did not disappoint! It's a fantastic addition into the world of Detective Beans, where procrastinating on cleaning his room instead led Beans to a treasure hunt through the city.
This was utterly silly, and also a heap of fun! More please!
This was utterly silly, and also a heap of fun! More please!
June 13, 2026
This is my proud guilty pleasure. Freaking love detective BEANS
July 5, 2026
Another perfect book
September 13, 2026
Absolutely delightful!
June 25, 2026
Jude & I were very excited to read the new Detective Beans and the Map of Mystery! It’s so cute, clever and funny! I love Li Chen’s humour and we were lucky to meet Li at her book launch at Readings tonight, and get all three of our books signed! She is very funny in real life too and created Detective Beans and Biscuits from her two tabby cats. Just wonderful that her graphic novels are being embraced by so many kiddies. 🥰
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August 25, 2026I received this book from the publisher over at Edelweiss in exchange of an honest review.
The newest Detective Beans and I was so hyped! I was curious what my little detective cat would solve this time, what kind of mishaps and adventures he would get into this time!
In this one Beans is trying to get out of cleaning his room (fair, very fair) and well, the universe is gladly helping him with that, haha. Because he bumps into the postman and causes chaos and received a letter/package that is not for him, it is for some pirate living in the park (which made me laugh). And so Beans gets a treasure map and so begins an adventure through town. Yup! Room cleaning? Forgotten! Pretzels? Yes! Fortune-tellers? Also yes! I loved following Beans on his journey to follow the map and discover where he is supposed to go and that leads him to some really fun parts of the town we may not have seen yet (sorry, but its been a while since I read the first book, haha). From a fairground (with tons of yummy food and fun attractions) to the town and then to a place where his bestie is currently working. I was getting more and more curious about where this treasure map would lead us. And I had a giggle when Beans either got things right by luck or by a good guess (and sometimes he just got it right by thinking). Yes, he is a detective, but he is also a kitten and sometimes his attention span cough is a bit short. I had so much fun seeing him get excited when he found a new clue, or when he found out the right spot, I was really rooting for the little one!
The later part of the treasure map, with Biscuit next to him + a baddie who he didn’t know was a baddie following, was even more fun as it got quite exciting. And then comes the reveal, which to be honest, was a bit disappointing, just like Beans/Biscuit I had DREAMS. HOPES. But I guess what we find out is still a lot of fun and I would definitely want to go to that place again and help out. Yup. Keeping it vague. I do love meeting that character, when we saw them I knew who they were and I was correct!
I loved how Biscuits first and foremostly wanted to give the treasure, if there was one, to the library and good causes… but then keep the rest to get a mansion and all the stuff she wants. You go girl, haha.
That ride of horror.. which was called ride of terrier. I thought, spelling mistake? But nah, it is actually a tunnel full of DOGS! ARGHH! snickers
The art was, just like in the other books, oodles of fun!
All in all, good luck Beans with cleaning up your room + thank you for another fun adventure! I had a lot of fun! I would recommend this one and the other books to all~
Review also posted on https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
The newest Detective Beans and I was so hyped! I was curious what my little detective cat would solve this time, what kind of mishaps and adventures he would get into this time!
In this one Beans is trying to get out of cleaning his room (fair, very fair) and well, the universe is gladly helping him with that, haha. Because he bumps into the postman and causes chaos and received a letter/package that is not for him, it is for some pirate living in the park (which made me laugh). And so Beans gets a treasure map and so begins an adventure through town. Yup! Room cleaning? Forgotten! Pretzels? Yes! Fortune-tellers? Also yes! I loved following Beans on his journey to follow the map and discover where he is supposed to go and that leads him to some really fun parts of the town we may not have seen yet (sorry, but its been a while since I read the first book, haha). From a fairground (with tons of yummy food and fun attractions) to the town and then to a place where his bestie is currently working. I was getting more and more curious about where this treasure map would lead us. And I had a giggle when Beans either got things right by luck or by a good guess (and sometimes he just got it right by thinking). Yes, he is a detective, but he is also a kitten and sometimes his attention span cough is a bit short. I had so much fun seeing him get excited when he found a new clue, or when he found out the right spot, I was really rooting for the little one!
The later part of the treasure map, with Biscuit next to him + a baddie who he didn’t know was a baddie following, was even more fun as it got quite exciting. And then comes the reveal, which to be honest, was a bit disappointing, just like Beans/Biscuit I had DREAMS. HOPES. But I guess what we find out is still a lot of fun and I would definitely want to go to that place again and help out. Yup. Keeping it vague. I do love meeting that character, when we saw them I knew who they were and I was correct!
I loved how Biscuits first and foremostly wanted to give the treasure, if there was one, to the library and good causes… but then keep the rest to get a mansion and all the stuff she wants. You go girl, haha.
That ride of horror.. which was called ride of terrier. I thought, spelling mistake? But nah, it is actually a tunnel full of DOGS! ARGHH! snickers
The art was, just like in the other books, oodles of fun!
All in all, good luck Beans with cleaning up your room + thank you for another fun adventure! I had a lot of fun! I would recommend this one and the other books to all~
Review also posted on https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
June 7, 2026
I just buddy read this AMAZING graphic novel with my daughter - our book club is called Reading Paws - and she made a sign and everything.
The same daughter made me read Beans #1 and #2 last year and it was the best day of my life, I guffawed out loud several times and often buy them as birthday presents for little pals.
Book #3 - The Map of Mystery was SO GOOD, unbelievably funny and adorable. I/we loved it and think Li Chen is a genius for creating one of our all time favourite characters.
Sometimes being a grown up can be tough, but Beans is for everyone and I’m so glad I get to share him with my daughter.
We ❤️ Beans and Biscuits.
The same daughter made me read Beans #1 and #2 last year and it was the best day of my life, I guffawed out loud several times and often buy them as birthday presents for little pals.
Book #3 - The Map of Mystery was SO GOOD, unbelievably funny and adorable. I/we loved it and think Li Chen is a genius for creating one of our all time favourite characters.
Sometimes being a grown up can be tough, but Beans is for everyone and I’m so glad I get to share him with my daughter.
We ❤️ Beans and Biscuits.
September 15, 2026
I really hope they continue this series...so cute and funny
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June 17, 2026New Beans!!! Of course I love this mysterious adventure, I’m an Indiana Jones TRUTHER.
June 7, 2026
Absolutely devoured it as soon as i bought it! So cute!
July 9, 2026
Cute characters and fun adventure to follow.
July 12, 2026
Another hilarious tale of Detective Beans solving a mystery. Especially enjoyed the discussion between Biscuits and Cecil, the postman’s rules (reminded me of Cliff Claven from Cheers) as well as references to Indiana Jones, and phrases such as general no-goodery, which I’ll be using from now on…
Review of advance copy
Beans is back with another long form adventure!
A bit more of a true adventure than misadventure this time around, with puzzles and wordplay needing less detective logic, with motives and opportunity to solve, and more general logic needed to figure them out.
Biscuits is still my girl, helping out at the library and also helping Beans along the way. I especially loved her explanation of all the things you can do at the library, which is especially apt, since this was a library loan.
Also, slight spoiler, but we get down to the bottom of Mother Beans' printer woes!
I still love the simplicity of the art, and really liked some of the expressions (especially Hermes) and the panelling, some of which were funny enough that I would use them as memes. Long may Beans continue!
A bit more of a true adventure than misadventure this time around, with puzzles and wordplay needing less detective logic, with motives and opportunity to solve, and more general logic needed to figure them out.
Biscuits is still my girl, helping out at the library and also helping Beans along the way. I especially loved her explanation of all the things you can do at the library, which is especially apt, since this was a library loan.
Also, slight spoiler, but we get down to the bottom of Mother Beans' printer woes!
I still love the simplicity of the art, and really liked some of the expressions (especially Hermes) and the panelling, some of which were funny enough that I would use them as memes. Long may Beans continue!
October 11, 2026
As with the prior two installments of Detective Beans books, this one is cute and features adorable art. It's aimed at a middle grade audience, but teens and adults can easily enjoy it too.
This installment goes back to the linear storytelling of book one, which I prefer. (Book two was also fun, but it's more of a collection of shorter pieces.) In this one, we join Beans as he follows a treasure map in search of some unknown treasure and glory. The story is fun, with the expected twists and turns from a pirate's treasure map. It's a quick read, but still very cute and definitely worth the time.
This installment goes back to the linear storytelling of book one, which I prefer. (Book two was also fun, but it's more of a collection of shorter pieces.) In this one, we join Beans as he follows a treasure map in search of some unknown treasure and glory. The story is fun, with the expected twists and turns from a pirate's treasure map. It's a quick read, but still very cute and definitely worth the time.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
The best book so far in the Detective Beans series. I enjoyed the adventure Beans goes on in this one to find the treasure from the map Captain Scuttlebeard gave to him. This is just as adorable as the other volumes. I love Li Chen's sense of humor and how there are jokes for children and also the adults. Such a great series!
*Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing, Li Chen, and Edelweiss for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
*Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing, Li Chen, and Edelweiss for my ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.*
September 3, 2026
Bean, uh, Detective Bean that is, is working on his next big case. What is that case? Whatever gets him out of cleaning his room. A piece of mail is delivered to the wrong address, so Bean's mother sends him to deliver it. He leaves without his hat, which was a horrible mistake, and goes on a long adventure to return the mail and then find the treasure. Filled with puns, wacky hijinks, and his supportive best friend Biscuit, this is another wonderful addition to the Detective Beans series.
September 22, 2026
I always enjoy my time with Det. Beans. This edition followed a single storyline like an episode of television, which I think worked better than the short stories of the last book. I was surprised by the humor being slightly more geared towards an older audience than I remember from the previous 2 books (though all ages will like it). I also couldn’t help but draw parallels to the tv show Chowder which I loved growing up. Overall, this was a fun story done well. Check it out.
June 23, 2026
I loved this book so much! Detective Beans is such a cute and creative character, and I really enjoyed following the mystery throughout the story. I can’t wait to go back and read the first two books. Li Chen’s art style is lovely and whimsical, and it really brings the world to life.
July 8, 2026
I would die for Detective Beans
July 13, 2026
I think I need to read more jnr fiction books. This was so cute and fun!
July 19, 2026
Exceptional!
July 29, 2026
oh wow! another great fantastic marvelous read!
September 10, 2026
The world needs more of Detective Beans!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews