Customer Reviews

Mystery at the Club Sandwich

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Very Good, But Not Consistent Enough
Boasting a title more clever than its story, "Mystery at the Club Sandwich" pays homage to the mysteries of Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett. The black and white illustrations (against an appealing silvery-white background) the clipped language, and the tough-guy stance all parody the "noir" films and books of the 1940's, and much of it is funny and clever. Unfortunately, Doug Cushman doesn't quite sustain the noir sensibility throughout the book, and the parody flattens somewhat after a promising beginning.

The opening scene is taken from the Bogart version of "The Maltese Falcon." Detective Nick Trunk, an elephant with a slight resemblance to Lee J. Cobb, encounters a pretty, fur-laden kitten in his office. While the private eye's digs aren't shabby enough, there's some angled reflection on the wall, and his client has some `lip' on her:

"One morning, the door to my office opened. In walked a beautiful lady. She looked like trouble.
`My name is Trouble,' she said. `Maggie Trouble. Are you Nick Trunk?"
`That's my name,' I said."

Lola explains --in direct, short sentences-- a nicely convoluted story about how her employer, singer Lola Gale, lost her marbles. Real marbles (for good luck). Trunk replies "I will take your case," but like any two-bit detective he wants his payment up front. The elephant works for peanuts. (He will settle for peanut brittle, however). Witty, clever, and smartly written satire.

The authenticity begins to evaporate when Trunk meets Gale, who looks more like Ms. Dumont in the Marx Brothers movies than a femme fatale. She's staid-looking, with real pearls, and an upscale air. Opportunities for noirish illustrations and biting dialogue give way to a more pedestrian mystery exploring clues, questioning multiple suspects--and repeating jokes and puns about peanut butter. Only the chef (a bespeckled pig) and a walrus working at a diner look like character actors from the films this book tries to emulate. A few clues and an insight later, the mystery is solved, with a final page exploding with puns.

Although Cushman's draws well, and he includes some interesting dialogue and characters, the spoof just doesn't feel authentic enough. A better satire would include and parody more noir elements in a manner that would appeal to a wider age range. Cushman does a good job with some of these ingredients: The snappy dialogue, the drawings of the pig, the walrus, and Lola, the contours of the diner, and, later, a more messy detective office. However, the lighting, the characters (especially Nick Trunk), the names, and much of the whole "look" and tone are not consistently authentic. Younger kids aren't going to get all of the film noir allusions without the help of an older reader. Therefore, the author--more so than in other books--has two audiences, kids and adults, and adults' knowledge of the genre should be satisfied. Still, the book is often snappy, and the kitchen and diner "scenes," and Trunk (when drawn looking weary)fit the style. When the elements are there, there's the possibility of discussion with your younger audience.

Generally speaking, the noir film/book parody is just too easy and overdone. It requires meticulous attention to the details, exploiting them in as many clever ways as possible. While I enjoyed the book, and kids will like the humor and the mystery, it was ultimately a bit disappointing. Note: As mentioned by others, the book is dedicated to "Sam, Phil,and Dashiell": Only the latter is a mystery writer, Sam and Phil refer, as fans know, to the fictional heroes Sam Spade and Phillip Marlowe.

Written in the style of an old Phillip Marlow detective story but for young children, Mystery at the Club Sandwich is a great story with plenty of amusing word play. Even the pictures are black-and-white like the old movie series. It is the story of Club Sandwich singer Lola Gale (a fox) who lost her marbles - her six lucky marbles. It is up to Nick Trunk (an elephant) to solve the mystery and locate her marbles. With only the clues of a peanut butter smudge and an ostrich feather it will be a hard case to solve. Join Nick Trunk as he investigates the magician entertainer, the cook, and even Ms. Gale's personal employee seeking to solve the crime. Wonderfully written entertainment for adults and children Mystery at the Club Sandwich is a highly recommended book for young children.

Another appealing mystery by Doug Cushman. My grandchildren love the way he gives clues in his illustrations. The humor is there for children and adults alike. Fun to read, and a good bedtime story.

Nick Trunk, Private Detective, is a trench coat-wearing elephant who solves crimes and gets paid in peanuts. Nick's latest case involves Lola Gale, a foxy fox who sings every night at Club Sandwich. Lola has literally lost her marbles, the sparkly good luck charms that she holds before every show, and she's hoping Detective Trunk will catch the culprit. Minutes into the case, Nick comes up with two clues--a smear of gourmet La Peanut Goo and an ostrich feather. He also stumbles upon three possible suspects, but in the end, only one of these animals has a clear motive and no alibi. Author and illustrator Doug Cushman's Mystery at Club Sandwich, published in 2004 by Clarion Books, pokes fun at film noir with this clever story filled with double entendres that both children and adults will appreciate. Cushman brings the world of Club Sandwich to life with black and white illustrations that evoke the murky, shadowy world of film noir. While some readers may solve the mystery before Nick does, the story is saved when the long-nosed detective finds Lola's marbles in an unexpected place.

Imagine a film noir with all the trappings--a gritty detective, a femme fatale, a shadowy, black-and-white atmosphere. Now imagine that the characters are cartoon animals in sophisticated clothing and the film is condensed into a hilarious and adorable picture book, and you have Doug Cushman's Mystery at the Club Sandwich (Clarion Books, 2004). Nick Trunk is an experienced detective--and an elephant--who "works for peanuts," literally. When a pretty kitty named Maggie Trouble walks into his office and requests his help finding a famous singer's lucky marbles, Nick knows he has his work cut out for him. A slew of suspects, including a pig chef whose specialty is peanut butter sauce, a mediocre magician, and an envious feline assistant further complicate matters. Will Nick succeed in cracking the case, or will the marble thief go free? The black-and-white sketch artwork portrays the lively animal cast in fancy garb and classic noir flair, and is a perfect complement to this introduction to mystery.

Doug Cushman, a veteran creator of mysteries for children, presents another thrilling mystery tale with his expressive black-and-white illustrations. This time, the story is set in the Club Sandwich where Lola Gale, the famous singer, loses her lucky marbles. Detective Trunk, who works for peanuts, is hired to solve the case. During his investigation at the Club Sandwich, Detective Trunk finds three suspects--a magician, a singer's assistant and a chef--and a list of clues: an empty jar of peanut butter, a peanut butter smudge on the door and an ostrich feather. So does he find Lola Gale's lucky marbles? Who has stolen the lucky marbles?

The picture book is a page-turner with its arresting plot and suspense. Detective Trunk's first person voice draws readers up front in the crime scene to participate as a witness. The animal characters are properly portrayed through lively dialogue and personified monologue. The black-and-white illustrations conjure up memories of a classic detective tale. Parents and kids can curl up together to solve this sticky mystery.

We checked this book out of the library at our children's librarian's recommendation, and it's been a hit. However, after a few readings, my son (almost 6) has said that he's ready to move on to "a new mystery because we already know who did it." This statement did come after about 20 readings (1 per night for almost 3 weeks, so I know it was something he enjoyed), and I enjoyed developing voices and personalities for the characters, but I'm not sure the story would hold up for much longer. And, last night, we turned pack to our continual favorites by Dan San Souci featuring the Clubhouse Kids. My recommendation: check it out, don't purchase.

Lola Gale is a famous singer who has lost he lucky marbles. She hires Nick Truck who is an elephant and detective to find them. Nick collects clues and tries to find out who has taken the marbles. The book includes lots of word play along the way! The book has a twist at the end you will never guess who has taken the marbles and why!


The books illustrations were done in black and white. Most kids will not be drawn to this book due to the lack of color.

This is a good book for kids who enjoy mysteries. They can read it and try to solve the mystery before Nick Trunk does!

The very young may not readily understand the meaning of the film noir black and white drawings in Mystery At The Club Sandwich: this caveat aside, it's an inviting, wonderful story of one Nick Trunk, Private Detective, who is the only one to help foxy singer Lola regain her lost marbles. Nick's efforts at solving a sticky crime prove hilarious; especially to picturebook readers with some reading and critical thinking skills behind them.