Let's get one thing straight:  Erasmus Twiddle is not a detective. Anyone can be a detective these days just by saving the correct number of proof of purchase seals or bottle caps. Erasmus wants nothing to with any of that disreputable lot and would thank me for making the distinction quite, quite clear. This does not mean that Erasmus is adverse to solving a mystery every now and again.   In fact, he enjoys it. Since Erasmus if only a little older than you are, he isn't the person you call if something really big goes wrong---kidnapping for instance---but if your rubber chicken goes missing or if your soggy dumpling refuse to become soggy enough, Erasmus is the one you want.   He'll come in and use all his special non-dectective powers of observation to help. That's why he's the most famous non-dectective in Grmkville, if not the world.

A collection of fourteen short mysteries, THE ADVENTURES OF ERASMUS TWIDDLE is a good book to take along to read when you have a little time in your jammed packed social schedule. When your Mom is late picking you up from soccer practice or she drags you to the supermarket and all the lines are rrreeeaaallllllyyyy long. The stories themselves are chock full with character with names like Bagley Butterbottom (AKA Andrew Michaels) Erasmus's friend and sidekick---that is when he isn't too busy being a pirate. But the best thing about the stories is you can solve the mysteries if you read carefully and use your own special powers of observation. I look forward to seeing more of Erasmus in the future.

   --- Reviewed by Cassia Van Arsdale