Author: Marc Brandel

Translator: Madelaine Hjelm

Swedish cover: Robert Adragna & Miralles.

First Swedish edition: 1985 (1984 in the USA)

Editions: 3

Spine-number: 2367

Original title: The Mystery of the two-toed pigeon

Review:

The Three Investigators happen to meet Mr Stan called "Blinky" on a restaurant. Suddenly he left and forgot a mystical box containing a pigeon. They boys also help Miss Maureen Melody to solve the mystery of why someone is killing her birds. The traces lead to a juweller, a japanese and a pearl-factory.

This is the second story from Marc Brandel and it is much better than his first contribution The Mystery of the Kidnapped whale. The latter didn´t have that extra typical for a good 3I-story and resembled a cute and harmless Disney story for the whole family. But Two-Toed Pigeon has an ingenious plot. The story is also a little bit tougher with a special surrealistic atmosphere. Especially the scenes in the garden of Miss Melody are suggestive. One thrilling highlight is when Jupe is attacked by the beard-man with the thick stick. In this story the boys have to sing in order to shout down the birds in the garden of Miss Melody. I don´t know if those scenes are brilliant or awkward.

The boys are skilfully depicted, but soemtimes Brandel has problems. This is the first book when Jupe is thinking of his overweight and is on a diet. That is irritating and an unnecessary change. Pete is also a little bit too fond of birds in a childish way. The other characters are in many ways brilliant. Miss Melody is a fascinating personality and the villains are odd and interesting.

I don´t want to reveal too much of the story, but on the whole it is brilliant - a shiny pearl when the bookseries had been in decline for far too long.

Summarize:

The Story 9 (of 10)

Characterization 7 (10)

Atmosphere 9 (10)

Thrilling factor 8 (10)

Environment 9 (10)

Original cover 7 (10)

Cult status 9 (10)