Starred Review Inspector Flytrap truly hits his stride in this third series installment, where he aspires, as always, to attain the title of World's Greatest Detective. Would you believe that another pickle paperweight has gone missing? This time, a solid-gold, jewel-encrusted pickle paperweight has been stolen from a train's security vault, and while the inspector examines the train, his assistant, Nina the Goat, is arrested for the crime. As Inspector Flytrap vows to clear Nina's name, a rash of new thefts is reported. Clearly, the Master Criminal is on the loose! Legless and goatless, the detective enlists the help of a nearby sloth to push his skateboard along the thief's trail. A surprise twist exposes the villain and triggers one of the biggest madcap chases literature has ever seen, with all the Master Criminal's victims joining in on foot, bulldozer, goat, and ice-cream truck. Unlike the episodic first installment, Inspector Flytrap (2016), the plot here is cohesive, and the story gains excitement as a result. Bell's mixed-media illustrations, done in gray and green, appear on every page and add humor to Angleberger's already hilarious text, whether with simple line drawings, funny diagrams, or absurd collages. The relationship between the animated inspector and the deadpan, ever-nibbling Nina develops in touching ways, and many familiar characters return to enrich this witty, wacky romp of a mystery.

This madcap Inspector Flytrap mystery includes a mountain of zany crimes, a falsely accused sidekick, a "Master Criminal" disguised as a sloth, and a truly epic chase scene. Thankfully, Inspector and blasi partner Nina the Goat save the day ("Big deal"). Nearly every character from the previous books makes an appearance in this third heavily illustrated, pun-filled romp. Best read in series order.