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Kid Noir: Kitty Feral and the Case of the Marshmallow Monkey
From celebrated Dark City author, TCM host, and film noir expert Eddie Muller comes the tale of hardboiled cat detective Kitty Feral and the search for a candy-crusted chocolate confection—and a missing friend.
Dangerous denizens lurk around every dark corner as Kitty searches for clues in bookstores, alleyways, rooftops, and waterfronts. Who made off with the majestic Marshmallow Monkey (inspired by none other than the Maltese Falcon)? Where is the beloved Mitch the Mutt? Kitty’s got plenty of questions and not enough answers! Follow along through a tangled web of crime and intrigue as Kitty tries to solve the case.
Dangerous denizens lurk around every dark corner as Kitty searches for clues in bookstores, alleyways, rooftops, and waterfronts. Who made off with the majestic Marshmallow Monkey (inspired by none other than the Maltese Falcon)? Where is the beloved Mitch the Mutt? Kitty’s got plenty of questions and not enough answers! Follow along through a tangled web of crime and intrigue as Kitty tries to solve the case.
32 pages, Hardcover
Published September 19, 2023
3 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Eddie Muller
43 books109 followersEDDIE MULLER is a second generation San Franciscan, product of a lousy public school education, a couple of crazy years in art school, and too much time in newspaper offices and sporting arenas. No college, but he's compensated by always hanging around smarter people, an effortless feat typically accomplished in bars.
Despite repeated warnings, he followed in his father's footsteps, earning a living as a print journalist for sixteen years. No scoops, no big prizes, but he left behind a thoroughly abused expense account that got him into (and out of) various intriguing parts of the world.
His career as an ink-stained fourth estate wretch sidetracked Muller's early goal of becoming a filmmaker. A stint in George Kuchar's notorious "narrative filmmaking" class at the San Francisco Art Institute in the late 1970s resulted in the creation of a 14-minute, 16mm hommage to Raymond Chandler called Bay City Blues, one of five national finalists for the 1979 Student Academy Award. He also appeared as an actor in several Kuchar movies of the period.
Since 1998 Muller has devoted himself full-time to projects that pique his interest, ranging from the creation of a Historical Boxing Museum, to a fully illustrated history of Adults Only movies, to acting as co-writer and -producer of one of the first completely digital theatrical documentaries, Mau Mau Sex Sex. He created his own graphics firm, St. Francis Studio, which enables him to design, as well as write, his non-fiction books. He has achieved much acclaim for his three books on film noir, earning the nickname "The Czar of Noir."
His father, the original Eddie Muller (he's not a junior— long story, don't ask), was a renown sportswriter for the San Francisco Examiner who earned the nickname "Mr. Boxing" during his 52-year run. The senior Muller served as inspiration for the character of Billy Nichols, the protagonist of the younger Muller's two critically acclaimed novels, The Distance (2002) and Shadow Boxer (2003).
Eddie lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, Kathleen Maria Milne.
Despite repeated warnings, he followed in his father's footsteps, earning a living as a print journalist for sixteen years. No scoops, no big prizes, but he left behind a thoroughly abused expense account that got him into (and out of) various intriguing parts of the world.
His career as an ink-stained fourth estate wretch sidetracked Muller's early goal of becoming a filmmaker. A stint in George Kuchar's notorious "narrative filmmaking" class at the San Francisco Art Institute in the late 1970s resulted in the creation of a 14-minute, 16mm hommage to Raymond Chandler called Bay City Blues, one of five national finalists for the 1979 Student Academy Award. He also appeared as an actor in several Kuchar movies of the period.
Since 1998 Muller has devoted himself full-time to projects that pique his interest, ranging from the creation of a Historical Boxing Museum, to a fully illustrated history of Adults Only movies, to acting as co-writer and -producer of one of the first completely digital theatrical documentaries, Mau Mau Sex Sex. He created his own graphics firm, St. Francis Studio, which enables him to design, as well as write, his non-fiction books. He has achieved much acclaim for his three books on film noir, earning the nickname "The Czar of Noir."
His father, the original Eddie Muller (he's not a junior— long story, don't ask), was a renown sportswriter for the San Francisco Examiner who earned the nickname "Mr. Boxing" during his 52-year run. The senior Muller served as inspiration for the character of Billy Nichols, the protagonist of the younger Muller's two critically acclaimed novels, The Distance (2002) and Shadow Boxer (2003).
Eddie lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, Kathleen Maria Milne.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 10, 2024
Imagine me reading this in the voice of Nicolas Cage’s Noir Spider-Man.
January 26, 2024
Saw this book and author on the T.C.M. channel. Some of the puns were good.
September 19, 2023
The Czar of Noir offers children a gentle introduction to film noir with this fun read aloud story. This picture book begs for repeat readings to engage in the treasure hunt of visual and written clues. Noir enthusiasts will appreciate all of the noir references to be discovered within.
My full review: https://www.outofthepastblog.com/2023...
My full review: https://www.outofthepastblog.com/2023...
January 17, 2025
I’m sure I missed some film references since I’m not a huge noir fan but what I did catch was pretty funny. Nice atmospheric illustrations.
January 15, 2024
Fun Noir
A nice introduction of Film Noir and mysteries for kids. Would make a great animated short. Written by the host of a TCM series on Film Noir, this is fun for kids and adults.
A nice introduction of Film Noir and mysteries for kids. Would make a great animated short. Written by the host of a TCM series on Film Noir, this is fun for kids and adults.
December 31, 2023
Charming, clever book to introduce Noir themes in a gentle way.
August 16, 2025
Love the art and the tone; there are some fun puns and nods to noir movies too. I wanted the story to be longer, and wanted to get some more details about Kitty and the mystery, but it was cute and fun!
November 21, 2023
From the shadows of Dark City comes a children’s book! Eddie Muller and Jessica Schmidt weave a softboiled detective tale filled with fun film references and featuring the purrfect protagonist. Forrest Burdett provides the atmospheric illustrations that are both friendly and foreboding.
November 12, 2023
This picture book, in film noir style, goes a step beyond parody to actually instruct and inspire an early interest in film noir movies. The text and illustrations complete the effect and provide a great, very convincing first noir for kids.
November 6, 2023
Worth the wait! Some fun classic film references are sprinkled throughout this book. The illustrations are purrfect.
This took me 2 days to read because I read it to a cat who is a reluctant listener.
This took me 2 days to read because I read it to a cat who is a reluctant listener.
September 28, 2023
Delightful, playful introduction to noir themes for a young audience. Feline detective Kitty Feral--a gorgeous gray tabby sporting a stunning blue raincoat and fedora--lights up dark and stormy nights as she searches for a kid's missing marshmallow monkey, and her own mysteriously missing canine partner, Mitch the Mutt. Movie-loving parents and grandparents who choose this book for bedtime reading to little ones will be consistently entertained with references to favorite noir films in the dialogue and in the wonderfully evocative illustrations by Forrest Burdett. Great fun!
January 30, 2024
First sentence: It's not easy being the only cat detective in this town. Ever since I bungled my biggest case, trouble hounds me.
Premise/plot: Kitty Feral is missing--literally and figuratively--her friend and companion Mitch the Mutt with whom she solves cases. But she's solo on this one. She will be trying to track down what happened to Cora's marshmallow monkey. Can she follow the clues and solve the case?
My thoughts: I LOVED the atmosphere of this one. The narrative is fun, fun, super-fun. The illustrations are AWESOME. I think adults will probably pick up on things young readers don't. But that isn't all bad, in my opinion. It just means the narrative is layered. I do think it holds up to multiple readings. I caught things the second time around that I didn't the first time. It is very noir. Chances are most young readers will have little to no familiarity with this genre.
Premise/plot: Kitty Feral is missing--literally and figuratively--her friend and companion Mitch the Mutt with whom she solves cases. But she's solo on this one. She will be trying to track down what happened to Cora's marshmallow monkey. Can she follow the clues and solve the case?
My thoughts: I LOVED the atmosphere of this one. The narrative is fun, fun, super-fun. The illustrations are AWESOME. I think adults will probably pick up on things young readers don't. But that isn't all bad, in my opinion. It just means the narrative is layered. I do think it holds up to multiple readings. I caught things the second time around that I didn't the first time. It is very noir. Chances are most young readers will have little to no familiarity with this genre.
April 5, 2024
If I see there's a cat then I'm there...that's what kind of cat lady I am 😆
This takes all of ten minutes to read, less if you don't take your time to study the illustrations. Fans of TCM, Eddie Muller and Film Noir will appreciate this children's book that cleverly alludes to classic hard-boiled who-dun-its. At the same time, the story isn't too complicated or feature a complex character study for smaller children. They'll love all the animal characters.
The illustrations are done in what looks like pencil and colored pencils. It's okay but I wish they used a darker ink medium. You still feel like it's an artistic book. There's definitely potential for a series, that would be fun from The Czar of Noir.
This takes all of ten minutes to read, less if you don't take your time to study the illustrations. Fans of TCM, Eddie Muller and Film Noir will appreciate this children's book that cleverly alludes to classic hard-boiled who-dun-its. At the same time, the story isn't too complicated or feature a complex character study for smaller children. They'll love all the animal characters.
The illustrations are done in what looks like pencil and colored pencils. It's okay but I wish they used a darker ink medium. You still feel like it's an artistic book. There's definitely potential for a series, that would be fun from The Czar of Noir.
January 3, 2024
Super fun! I'm a big classic film fan, and have been watching a lot of film noir the last year or so, thanks mostly to Eddie Muller on TCM. So I had to read this book, of course! The plot is fun, and is a good introduction for kids into the mystery genre. The illustrations are great at depicting that shadowy, noir-ish feeling. I especially liked all the little easter eggs throughout the book, planted there for the noir fan! Also, Muller has an explanation of what film noir is in the back of the book. A great read for kids and parents alike!
February 26, 2025
I bought this for my granddaughter but I couldn't resist reading it first. I'm glad I did, I enjoyed the story and the artwork. At the age of 3, we used to watch her during the week days and I encouraged an interest in film noir (mostly so I could watch a film) and it worked. Now she's 7 and I'm hoping this book will rekindle her interest or at least enjoy reading.
December 26, 2023
Cute kids book that transforms film noir for a child audience. Eddie Muller does a fine job taking elements of The Maltese Falcon and adapts it for a feline gumshoe detective. Also dug the references to various films here.
A charming Christmas present to read to the kids at bed time.
A charming Christmas present to read to the kids at bed time.
January 2, 2024
This is truly a book for me. I loved the whole vibe and absolutely flipped for all the puns. It's definitely on my list of Referential Picture Books That Are Actually Fun to Read and Not Just Jokes for Adults. Others include Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads and Sharko and Hippo!
March 24, 2025
Lots of fun for all ages. Puns for noir movie lovers (that includes me) are especially delightful. Even someone who doesn't know the films can enjoy the tone-perfect story and noir'ish illustrations. In sum: A pleasant 10 min for anyone anytime. Maybe more will follow? I hope so.
October 4, 2023
This was such a fun book!
October 4, 2023
Strange and delightful. More please!
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November 22, 2023#noirvember
November 22, 2023
Fun, and well illustrated as well.
As much for Noir adults as kids - loads of references to Noir flicks in here.
As much for Noir adults as kids - loads of references to Noir flicks in here.
December 1, 2023
I wish they had a reference supplement the mentioned all the movies elements that inspired the illustrations. Sort of a an Eddie Muller intro for the book.
December 10, 2023
This was a really cute book for kids. Kitty is just like Sam Spade and story was Maltse Falcon. This would make a great gift for Chinese.
December 29, 2023
Liked the back matter "What is Film Noir"
January 3, 2024
I came across this book by accident and it was an absolute delight. The story is very kid-friendly but adults will definitely like it.
April 17, 2024
Great pics, classic gumshoe story introduces film noir in a fun way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2024
“I liked the doggy and I was glad he got saved. And I liked the big ol doggy who worked at the bookstore. The kitty was so cute.” - Luke
November 12, 2024
A beautifully illustrated and atmospheric children’s book. Perfectly captures the vibe of Al old noir detective show!
July 1, 2025
Not really a book for kids, but is great for adults who enjoy picture books. Funny, funny, funny.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews