Review of Cat Detectives in the Korean Peninsula

[Macha Marumo Mphela]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Cat Detectives in the Korean Peninsula" by R.F. Kristi.]

---

5 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

If you were a nosy little cat called Inca, you too would fancy yourself the world's best cat detective. Inca's gift was using her sensitive nostrils to sniff out trouble and follow it wherever it led. In Cat Detectives in the Korean Peninsula by R.F. Kristi, she found herself exploring South Korea and North Korea, trying to find the lead to a lost family. Will she find her way? Is she in way over her furry little head?

This story has a lot of heart. It's warm and wonderful to read. Inca's quest to help those in need makes her likeable, and her fearless nature in face of danger makes her come across as a superhero. I loved how positive this whole story was. Dealing with the politics that exist between South and North Korea was a risky choice to make for a children's book, but I think that it paid off in the end. The politics itself isn't even that important in the story because it's almost presented as inconsequential.

Although I loved the angle of finding lost family members that were separated by politics, there was a moment when Inca and her associates were caught in a stolen cheese scandal. I think that that angle was better and could have made for a far more entertaining adventure. I think that the author missed an opportunity to capitalise on that first mystery. This is a children's book, it doesn't have to be complicated to be fun.

I rate the story 5 out of 5 stars. I thought that it was an excellent little book that could keep any child occupied. The book was edited exceptionally well, too, which aided in my rating.

I definitely think that elementary-age students would be the perfect ones for this book. It has a complicated storyline and it has sophisticated characters, which are great for that age group.

******
Cat Detectives in the Korean Peninsula
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon