Dragon detective: Catnapped!

Dragon Detective #1

by Gareth P. Jones

When detective Dirk Dilly gets a call from Holly, a young girl whose pet cat has gone missing, the dragon ends up with not only a new case to solve but also a self-appointed partner-in-solving-crime. And it turns out that Holly's cat is just the beginning! As the pair hunt for clues, Dirk spots other dragons flying over the city – and not the good kind. Dirk has a hunch they might just be involved, but will he and Holly be able prevent further cat-astrophe before it’s too late?

The first instalment in a fun and action-packed detective series for fans of TOTO THE NINJA CAT, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON and Tom Fletcher’s children’s books.

Genres: Middle Grade, Mystery, Fantasy

Paperback

First published March 3, 2020

About the author

Gareth first started writing when he was very young but it wasn’t until he was in his early twenties that he completed his first novel. Having had it universally rejected he wrote a novel for children called Who Killed Charlie Twig, which received an equally unimpressed reception and remains rightly unpublished to this day.

Some years passed during which Gareth met his future wife, Lisa and began a career in TV, working on shows such as The Big Breakfast and Richard & Judy. Then one day he found himself having lunch at the offices of Bloomsbury. He mentioned the unpublished book to a nice lady called Sarah, who politely suggested that he should send in the first three chapters for her to look at (and most likely dismiss, she thought to herself). Gareth returned home and excitedly told his wife this news, who gently explained that the book he had written actually wasn’t very good, but reminded him that he had recently begun work on a much better idea. This turned out to be good advice. In 2007 Bloomsbury published the first of four books in the series The Dragon Detective Agency and have since published The Thornthwaite Inheritance, Space Crime Conspiracy and The Considine Curse. He has also written a shorter story, Perry’s 5, published by Barrington Stoke and a series of books called Ninja Meerkats, published by Stripes.

Gareth now divides his time between writing books, producing TV programmes, spending time with his wife and son, Herbie and playing the slightly ludicrous number of stringed instruments in his front room.

NOMINATIONS & AWARDS

The Dragon Detective Agency: The Case of the Missing Cats was shortlisted for the Waterstone’s Book Prize.
The Thornthwaite Inheritance was shortlisted for eleven local book awards and won seven of them.
The Considine Curse was voted Blue Peter Book of the Year 2012.

Reviews

[Wesam Karam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonderful story

[Kirsten Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will be perfect in my school library!
A detective story, with a detective dragon! What isn't to love!?
I love the developing friendship between the two and how they both help each other

[Chris Callaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious reimagining of those old school black & white private eye films/novels.
Its fast paced action is complete with sassy dialogue, devious villains and a fantastic central partnership. Smoking hot fun!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting premise. Would make a good kids tv series.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Gareth P Jones so was delighted when The Dragon Detective agency series, first published in 2006, was given a revamp for a new audience. In the first book in the series, Catnapped!, we are introduced to Dirk Dilly; the orange-squash chugging, fire-breathing detective dragon hot on the trail of a missing cat. Along with his self-appointed-partner-in-solving-crime Holly, they're soon wrapped up in a mystery that takes them across London in pursuit of a bunch of dragons up to no good.

Catnapped! is an old-style adventure with modern-day laughs. It's the start of a great series and a must read for 7+

[B For Butterfly Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Follow Dirk, the orange-squash chugging, fire-breathing detective dragon and his young feisty self-appointed-partner-in-solving-crime, Holly on a whirlwind adventure as their search for a missing cat takes them across London in pursuit of a bunch of dragons up to no good.

Catnapped! is a laugh out loud comedy adventure. The start of a great series and a must read for 7+

[Gin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story, and the relationship between Dirk the Dragon and Holly is really sweet. Interesting also how Jones’s explained the existence of Dragons in our world, and how they managed to stay hidden and out of sight.

There are another three books in this series and I look forward to reading them.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective sleuthing done well. This is fun with lots of little pockets of laughter. I really enjoyed this. I mean who doesn’t want to be friends with a dragon and help them solve the mystery of missing cats?!

[Alfred Tan · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was basicly where this girl (holly) helped a dragon get a cat called "willow" back.but they got stuck in a massive case

[Lilyfae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tale of the dynamic detective duo Dirk Dilly an undiluted orange squash drinking Mountain Dragon and the magnificent manipulator human child Holly has been freshened up for a new generation and it is certainly a brilliant play on the classic detective duo story evoking classic film-noir themes with a child friendly twist.

The pair go on this brilliant adventure uncovering the plot which at times can feel like Alex Rider crossed with How to Train your Dragon and at other times has a feel of Sherlock and Watson meets Harry and Hermione with underground magical passages complete with a completely batty landlady they can call on for a hair rising rescue if stranded!

Ideal for detective mystery fans who like a side of fantasy and has huge appeal as a read aloud with younger children too!

[Aastha Israni · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Dirk Dilly the Dragon Detective gets a phone call from Holly, who is reporting a missing cat, he finds out that it wasn't going through be a very easy case. Dirt Dilly and a partner in the company, Holly, find themselves in another blood curdling mystery, now involving the servants of the evil Vainclaw dragon Kingthorns. Holly's cat missing is just the beginning of this nerve racking secret. Will they ever be able to conquer the villians?
A story packed with camaraderie and unexpected predicaments, making you chuckle now and then.
This book shows, how true comradeship can make someone disguise a monster as a movie prop for a fictional film.
I recommend it to those who have a taste for stories filled with suspense that are very hilarious !
Will the exciting and eccentric crew ever find the end of this horribly pear shaped puzzle?

[Tris The Book Whisperer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This MG detective story starts off with the feeling of the old black and white movies - the detective in his messy first floor office, waiting on a case, mysterious strangers lurking outside and a plot afoot. Very quickly a young client arrives on the scene, who needs Dirk to find her missing cat, but no shrinking Violet or helpless female, Holly is determined to help and together they make an unlikely but ultimately perfect partnership. With a seamless mix of mystery, fantasy and fun this book hooks in the reader as the plot unfolds, why are all the cats of London going missing, and why are so many dragons working for the mastermind behind this evil plot? Read it to find out!

[Zoe Antoniades · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great funny fiction with such a lovable dude of a dragon

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun references to noir detectives, entertaining story. HEAVY handed jokes (though I am not an 11 year old). Some of the dialogue could have done with editing.

[Catherine MacLeod · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story. Found the ending was unclear in the way it was written. Enjoyed the characters. Could be a fun read.