It’s the last thing Maddie expects when she drops her border collie named Ruby off at Doggy Daycare on the way to school. Popping in to see the owner’s new puppies, she discovers an empty box, a distressed mum dog, and an unlocked back door. Someone has stolen the new puppies!

Keen to become a police officer like her uncle, Maddison snaps into investigation mode, and after reporting the puppies missing to the owner of the Doggy Daycare, she is searching for clues. She finds things that may help the police when they arrive.

All who know the owners and are dog lovers themselves, are upset and worried. Maddison brings her friends together to brainstorm, after their past success with investigating a local crime. They are all often busy with after school activities however, and it’s hard to coordinate but Maddie sticks at it.

When one of Maddie’s family have their own dog stolen, the tension builds as Harvey is a very important part of the family. With determination and thinking wider than Dogs for Sale ads, and Facebook, Maddie and her friend Rose spread the word far and wide, looking for missing dogs. Will the tiny puppies be looked after? Is Harvey okay? Are they still even in the area they are searching?

The second book in The Red Collie Mysteries, this is another exciting read. Stolen puppies instantly pull at the heart strings, and kiwi kids Maddison and her friends, Rose, Izzy, Josh and Jennifer are likeable and relatable. Just like the Maddison McQueen and the Cupcake Mystery, the kids stretch their boundaries just a little to achieve their objective, upping the risk and engagement factor.

The stakes are stepped up, when a beloved family dog member goes missing, and the worry is palpable in the owners. I loved the way main character Maddison puts the word out and without social media, the small town / rural word of mouth is successful. (It reminded me of the dogs barking a message in Dodie Smith’s 101 Dalmations, across farmland and to the spotted puppy’s parents.)

Another greatly anticipated read by young dog lovers and fans of mystery novels. The dyslexia friendly font will allow even more young readers to enjoy the tale.

Two more adventures are due in 2025 and worth looking out for:

Maddison McQueen and the Forest Search

Maddison McQueen and the Wrong Santa

Author – Kate Gordon-Smith

Age – 7+

(2024, Relish Books, NZ, Aotearoa New Zealand, Dogs, Puppies, Stolen, Mystery, Series, Border Collies, Friendship, Determination, Courage, Dyslexic Friendly Font, Red Collie Mysteries, Investigating, Investigation)