Review: Clarity Jones and the Magical Detective Agency

Clarity Jones and the Magical Detective Agency is an absolute riot of a magical adventure which is guaranteed to bring giggles galore and keep any young (and older) reader completely entranced.

After being chased by trainee knights from the Knights’ Academy, Mutt finds himself in front of a building he has never seen before in Meandermart:  the Magical Detective Agency.  When Mutt sees a sign advertising for an apprentice, he decides to apply, and is offered a trial by the lead detective, Clarity Jones.  Just like the rest of Meandermart, Mutt has no idea what a detective is (which is not surprising as Clarity has invented the word) but he is intrigued, and desperate, enough to accept her offer of a trial period with the Magical Detective Agency.  He joins a rather unusual team:  a walking chest filled with magical items, a snowgnoblin obsessed with clean fur, an assassin with a penchant for knives and Clarity Jones who has forged her own career path!

It is not long before Mutt is called upon to prove himself worthy of becoming an apprentice when the Detective Agency are given a mystery to solve by none other than the Duchess who is the Warden of Meandermart.  Her jester has gone missing and she wants him found before important visitors arrive. 

And so begins a fantastically action-packed, hilarious adventure as the Agency find themselves in a race against time to hunt down clues to find the jester who seems to have disappeared into thin air.  Will they be able to find him before he needs to entertain the Duchess’s guests?  Can they discover who is behind his disappearance and what they have to gain?  And will anyone be able to explain exactly what a detective does?

I love the narrator’s asides which give the reader insights before the characters are aware whilst still keeping plenty of surprises in store.  There is oodles of peril, wonderful twists, laughs galore and a fast-paced plot that kept me thoroughly entertained.   

The characters are all absolutely wonderful and incredibly likeable from Mirko, the snow gnoblin who is rather incredibly fussy about the cleanliness of his fur – to be fair, white is really hard to keep clean. Smyll, the walking chest, stores a wonderful collection of magical items which Clarity makes great use during her investigations. She has followed her own path, searching for magical items and inventing her own detective agency. She is also someone who sees potential in others and gives them a chance when they need it. Oh, and she loves pockets – enough said! Nissassa (very clever name!) was an assassin for the notorious White Hand Clan who has definitely not become de-skilled. And then, there’s Mutt who I absolutely adored. He is clever, kind-hearted and courageous, and is looking for a place to belong. Will he find family and friendship by completing his apprenticeship?

I love a map in a book and this one has a wonderfully detailed map of Meandermart. There are also stunning expressive full-and-partial-page illustrations throughout which complement the action and humour perfectly.

This is an absolutely delightful, hilarious fantasy adventure that I have no doubt young readers will adore – just as much as I did!

Thank you to Puffin Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.