Lawrence Treat
1997
Two books from Treat containing many seperate double-page mysteries - predominantly 'before and after's for readers to solve.
Lawrence Treat, author of many puzzle books and pioneer of 'police procedurals' of this sort, created two books for this fun children's series - both containing over 20 well thought out visual puzzles inside.
Each books artwork is illustrated in simple black and white linework, usually with a 'before and after' scene, with slight differences that hide clues to the puzzle. These usually aren't 'spot the difference' per se, but moreso illustrate a passage of time, with something occuring inbetween. Text is minimal on each page - usually only 2-3 paragraphs given more focus to the images themselves and breaks the fourth wall about the 'drawings' containing a conundrum.
Puzzles are pleasingly unique with some solutions genuinely difficult and hard to find, without being unreachable for readers.
From reviews of this series, like a lot of Treat's work, these are clever and well-packaged mysteries for a younger crowd, and are a good addition to Treat's career, sadly passing shortly after these were published in 1998.
Here's a brand-new and unique series for young Sherlocks! For each of the 25 clever mysteries, kids test their detecting mettle by first reading a short, funny scenario. Did Penelope obey her mom and get rid of that pet snake? Did the babysitter really refrain from sneaking snacks from the fridge? Kids must compare the "before" and "after" pictures for each case to find out! They'll need a sharp mind as well as sharp eyes to solve these clever "crimes".
A followup to Lawrence Treat's Get A Clue book, the same puzzling mysteries return for readers to solve!