Double Trouble in Bugland

Double Trouble in Bugland

By William Kotzwinkle

Going forth from their little flat at 221B Flea Street, Inspector Mantis, accompanied by his trusted colleague Doctor Hopper, solve antennae-bending mysteries featuring unforgettable bugs such as the relentless spring-cleaner Mrs. Inchworm, the bespectacled Professor Booklouse, the fearless Captain Flatfootfly, and the endearing Miss Allegra Warblefly.

I'd read the first Trouble in Bugland, and liked it very much - it's an insect take off on Sherlock Holmes - and finally ginned up the funds and willingness to buy this sequel, which isn't quite as good, although it is charmingly, "profusely illustrated".  All the mysteries depend on some natural factoid of the bug world, such as the vampire moth's vampiric tendencies, or the parasitic habits of a nectar stealer.  

Perhaps my memories are ever rose-colored, but it seemed to me that the stories in this book were longer, and more fluffed out than the initial set. We have only four mysteries, which are, indeed, "profusely illustrated" (I think the illustrations must take up a quarter to a half of the book) and it seems like there isn't much in the way of detection, in most of them.  Mantis finds a clue, which he takes to another expert (and again, he depends on so many other experts - on moths, parasites, etc - in this one) and then they immediately know what has happened, and then track down the culprit.  There's a lot of padding in each story to fluff them out - one of them has them sitting in a bar, waiting for the informer to get back to them, solving a series of mini-mysteries for the local police captain, which would be fine, except that it feels like filler.  

Be that as it may, it's still a delightfully weird charming Holmesian take-off.  If you've ever wanted to read more bug mysteries, here you are!  I mean, it is weird, in the sense that bugs are living in "Bugland" eating fudge and popcorn and carpets and performing in theaters and getting kicked out of places for being stink-bugs.  But it's also a very soothing bedtime reading.  It feels cozy.

34: A Book Set in Victorian Times