Squirrel Lock Holmes Book #1: The Pet Rock Mystery

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Do you have a 6- to 9-year-old who is interested in graphic novels? Perhaps they are reluctant to read chapter books but need to shift away from picture books? Or perhaps you just know a mystery lover. Today we have the perfect newly released book for you. It is the first book in the Squirrel Lock Holmes Series. It is The Pet Rock Mystery by Ashley Belote. It is recommended for ages 6 to 9.

About the Book:

It's a mystery, my dear Watson! Detective Squirrel Lock Holmes and her trusty sidekick Mole Watson are on the hunt for a missing pet rock in this first book of the hilarious early graphic chapter book series.

THE CASE OF THE MISSING PET ROCK

Victim: Reggie the Rabbit's Pet Rock, Dwayne (aka, "the Rock")
Scene of the Crime: Pet Rock Obedience School
Suspects: Reggie's classmates -- and even his teacher!

Detective Squirrel Lock Holmes and her partner in crime-solving -- Mole Watson -- are experts in finding lost things. But can they find Reggie's pet rock? Or will they hit rock bottom?

Early chapter book readers will laugh along at the problem-solving skills of the silliest sleuths in the forest in this full-color graphic novel.

Keep your eyes peeled for the next Squirrel Lock Holmes Mystery: A Corny Maze Mystery -- coming Fall 2026!

From Me:

In this fun graphic novel, Reggie Rabbit comes to Squirrel Lock Holmes and Mole Watson for help finding his missing pet rock. The story is quite humorous and also has interesting little facts throughout it. It begins with Mole Watson mishearing Reggie and not being sure what kind of pet is missing. It goes from there with how to solve a mystery. Step 1: Ask Questions. Squirrel Lock asks questions like when was the last time Reggie saw his pet rock and where. Step 2: Visit the Scene of the Crime. Off they go looking for clues at the Pet Rock Obedience Class location. Step 3: Interview the Suspects. Then they are off to interview Reggie's classmates and even the teacher. Step 4: Close the Case. The case is closed with the return of Reggie's pet rock. All are happy!

The story has humor throughout it but also real detective work. I also love the definitions provided for some of the bigger words like sedimentary and geologist. They even define BFF for the reader just in case. This book has humor that relates to the original Sherlock Holmes stories as well so an adult reading it will also enjoy it. The book is perfect for an early elementary classroom as an option to chapter books and should also be in libraries! It is fun and kids will enjoy it. Plus, they may be able to solve the mystery before Squirrel Lock does.