Tim Collins

Detectograms®

The Parrot Who Knew Too Much

Price: £9.99

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Details

Imprint: Buster Books

Publication date: 12/03/2026

ISBN: 9781837251308

Age: 9-11 years

Subject: Fiction

Category: Activity & Puzzles

Binding: Paperback

Size: 216 x 135 mm

Extent: 224 pages

Illustration: B&W

Territorial Rights: World (All Languages)

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Summary:

A thrilling mystery story with mini chapters containing an innovative mix of narrative text and a puzzle (called a 'Detectogram®') for the reader to solve and keep the mystery unravelling.

Police Inspector Cross and her officers have been called out on a mysterious case. They've traced the notorious Dempsey Gang to a warehouse, but they've arrived too late! The gang have sped off into the distance with stolen bars of gold. All they've left behind are a few stray scraps of paper and a very noisy parrot, who seems to be squawking cryptic clues about where the gang went next. Now, it's up to the reader to crack the case, solving one Detectogram® at a time.

Packed with a mix of 46 logic, visual and text-based puzzles. From clues to unravel, maps to navigate, suspects to examine and codes to crack, there’s plenty of fun and perplexing puzzles to be solved in this brain-busting mystery for young super sleuths.

This exciting and interactive mystery is perfect for kids aged 9-11.

Also available in the series:
9781837251544 Detectograms®: The Mole Who Went Undercover (July 2026)

Sales points:

  • Packed with a mix of 46 logic, visual and text-based puzzles, including clues to unravel, maps to navigate, suspects to examine and codes to crack!

  • Competitor titles: Cluedle series with over 37,000 sales and Murdle Junior with over 7,000 copies sold in the first month (UK TCM)

  • Each puzzle in the book is linked together by a narrative arc to really immerse the reader in the crime-solving adventure

  • Written by Tim Collins, author of the Sherlock Bones series, which has sold in over 20 languages

About the Author:

Tim Collins

Tim Collins is originally from Manchester, but now lives near Oxford. He is the author of over thirty books including Wimpy Vampire, Cosmic Colin, Dorkius Maximus and Sherlock Bones. His books have been translated into over 30 languages and he has won awards in the UK and Germany, including the Manchester Fiction City award and the Lincolnshire Young People's Book Award.

About the Illustrator:

Steven Wood

Steven Wood lives in North London and works from a little studio in his house. He has been represented by Advocate Art since 2010 and has created children’s illustrations for numerous clients, including Usborne, Templar, Bloomsbury, Scholastic and Harper Collins.

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