Review by aaurba -- Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoo...
Posted: 07 Sep 2020, 02:41
[Following is a volunteer review of "Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat" by R.F. Kristi.]
Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat is the seventh installment in the Inca Cat series. R.F. Kristi, the book’s author, based some feline characters on her cats. Most of the primary characters are animals such as cats and dogs, but humans are also present in the story. The story’s protagonist is Inca the Siberian Kitty; Inca narrates the story. Even if the book is a part of a series, it is standalone and can be understood by those who haven’t read the previous books.
Inca, her siblings Fromage and Cara, her hamster friend Charlotte, and her human mother, whom she calls Mom, went to Sri Lanka for the holiday. While they are enjoying their stay, Inca learned from their Mom that an antique sword had been taken from a museum they planned to visit. Inca, being the snoopy cat that she is, took an interest in the case and wanted to solve it. Inca has a lot of experience as a detective since she heads Inca & Company, a detective agency. Throughout the rest of the book, Inca and her friends explore Sri Lanka’s cultural sites while attempting to solve the case of the missing sword.
The colorful illustrations are what I liked the most about the book. I think these are a significant addition to the book as these can capture and maintain the readers’ attention throughout the rest of the story and make the title more engaging. Most of these pictures depict the animal characters, which I find adorable, funny, or both.
Another thing I liked is that it is in a diary format. I think the author is smart in adopting this literary format because, with this, the readers will feel more intimate with the characters. During the moments when the furries are discussing, the human characters are excluded from their conversations since they cannot understand what their pets are saying. This might be an exaggeration, but I felt special when I was reading the book. This is because, unlike the human characters, I felt included in the detective team and their adventures and could understand what they are saying.
The only issue I had is that the detective storyline is too simple and predictable. My initial hunch of who stole the ancient sword is correct, which makes the conflict's resolution unsurprising. However, I am sure the author planned for it to be like that. Since this is a children's book, the story should be easy to comprehend for their age. Having a convoluted plot will confuse them and will reduce the quality of the book. An adult such as me will most likely find the book's resolution unsatisfying, but I believe the children will find it clever and astonishing.
I rate Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat 4 out of 4 stars. The journal format and vivid illustrations make the book an engaging read. The only complaint I had is its unsurprising plot, but that did not seriously affect my enjoyment of the book. I noticed only a few errors; I believe the book is professionally edited. No profanity or obscenity is in the book, and that makes it suitable for children. I recommend this to parents whose children are animal lovers. This book’s revenue will be donated to animal rescue centers in developing countries, so animal lovers, even if they are adults, might want to buy and read this book.
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Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat is the seventh installment in the Inca Cat series. R.F. Kristi, the book’s author, based some feline characters on her cats. Most of the primary characters are animals such as cats and dogs, but humans are also present in the story. The story’s protagonist is Inca the Siberian Kitty; Inca narrates the story. Even if the book is a part of a series, it is standalone and can be understood by those who haven’t read the previous books.
Inca, her siblings Fromage and Cara, her hamster friend Charlotte, and her human mother, whom she calls Mom, went to Sri Lanka for the holiday. While they are enjoying their stay, Inca learned from their Mom that an antique sword had been taken from a museum they planned to visit. Inca, being the snoopy cat that she is, took an interest in the case and wanted to solve it. Inca has a lot of experience as a detective since she heads Inca & Company, a detective agency. Throughout the rest of the book, Inca and her friends explore Sri Lanka’s cultural sites while attempting to solve the case of the missing sword.
The colorful illustrations are what I liked the most about the book. I think these are a significant addition to the book as these can capture and maintain the readers’ attention throughout the rest of the story and make the title more engaging. Most of these pictures depict the animal characters, which I find adorable, funny, or both.
Another thing I liked is that it is in a diary format. I think the author is smart in adopting this literary format because, with this, the readers will feel more intimate with the characters. During the moments when the furries are discussing, the human characters are excluded from their conversations since they cannot understand what their pets are saying. This might be an exaggeration, but I felt special when I was reading the book. This is because, unlike the human characters, I felt included in the detective team and their adventures and could understand what they are saying.
The only issue I had is that the detective storyline is too simple and predictable. My initial hunch of who stole the ancient sword is correct, which makes the conflict's resolution unsurprising. However, I am sure the author planned for it to be like that. Since this is a children's book, the story should be easy to comprehend for their age. Having a convoluted plot will confuse them and will reduce the quality of the book. An adult such as me will most likely find the book's resolution unsatisfying, but I believe the children will find it clever and astonishing.
I rate Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat 4 out of 4 stars. The journal format and vivid illustrations make the book an engaging read. The only complaint I had is its unsurprising plot, but that did not seriously affect my enjoyment of the book. I noticed only a few errors; I believe the book is professionally edited. No profanity or obscenity is in the book, and that makes it suitable for children. I recommend this to parents whose children are animal lovers. This book’s revenue will be donated to animal rescue centers in developing countries, so animal lovers, even if they are adults, might want to buy and read this book.
******
Serendipity Mystery: Diary of a Snoopy Cat
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Thanks for a great review!