Dilly can’t believe it! She is going to be sailing across the ocean from New York back home to England in a luxury ocean liner named the Masquerade. Her auntie Gladys – Dilly’s guardian, has inherited a lot of money, and they’ve been on a shopping trip with Auntie Gladys’ new boyfriend, Lord Fox.

Dilly doesn’t like her aunt one bit, but the trip had been the most amazing thing in Dilly’s life, and at least Lord Fox was kind to her. Dilly’s hero however is the famous detective Sherlock Holmes, and that’s why she’s called her dog (and best friend in the whole world), Watson.

She is in awe to realise that the most famous (real) detective in the world is to be travelling on the same ship, and decides to do everything she can to be able to talk to him and ask her many questions. But The Maestro is a busy and very important man. Dilly must work even harder on her plan – but suddenly The Maestro…Ends.Up.Dead!

Instantly in Super Sleuth mode, Dilly and Watson begin their investigation. Only to discover another body. Following the clues, and with the support of the Captain, Dilly and her dog work hard on the case.

But Auntie Gladys has her own plans – to catch a wealthy Lord. She banishes Dilly to their cabin while she galivants around the ship with Lord Fox, ever hopeful for a marriage proposal.

And still the bodies pile up. Who could possibly be the murderer, and why? More detectives arrive, by any means necessary, and all keen to solve the case to become the most famous detective in the world.

In the meantime, Dilly is still chasing clues and tracking down culprits….

With giant, fun fonts and illustrations on almost every page, Super Sleuth is a riot of a read.

The obligatory orphan, horrible aunt and sad back story of many David Walliams’ tales kicks everything off, and then the exciting setting of a luxury cruise ship is introduced.

There are no boring bits in this murder mystery as bodies drop like flies, mysterious behaviour is observed, and all manner of murders are discovered.

The tale becomes more manic as it progresses, and as always there is a happy ending to this slapstick story, full of fun.

The mystery of the murderer is entertaining, with the plot just a little predictable.

Author – David Walliams

Illustrator – Adam Stower

Age – 7+

(2024, Harper Collins, Action, Adventure, Animals, Betrayal, Courage, Crime, Historical, Humour, Mystery, Murder, Dog, Detectives, Sherlock Holmes, Funny, Cruise Ship, Ocean Liner, Grand, Luxury, Lord, Money, Investigation, Clues, Slapstick)