Review by Ian Keogh

As the cover indicates, Heist and Seek involves S.U.I.T. InvestiGators Mango and Brash with the art world. Famous paintings like the Bona Lisa are disappearing from the van transporting them to the museum for an exhibition, so who’s responsible, and can the InvestiGators track them down?

The sample page shows John Patrick Green having fun constructing silly names based on famous painters, one of assorted touches to keep parents amused if they’re reading the adventures of the incompetent investigators to their children. Yet among that there’s a serious point about the exhibition having to be a success otherwise arts funding will be cut, a perpetual threat in the real world where too many believe any public funds spent on art are wasted. It’s not the only comment Green has to make on the art world.

Anyone who’s read the previous books knows the formula of the none too bright Mango and Brash solving the case more through luck and opportunity than deductive skills, but the plot is only ever a peg on which Green hangs his silly situations and fun jokes. He’s possibly reached saturation point with the assorted characters introduced in previous adventures, so fewer of them appear here than in Braver and Boulder, and when they do it’s for less panel time. However, there is a welcome return for the creator and his all powerful pencil eraser.

Almost the entire adventure centres on the art museum, with a need for bogus artist disguise Macaroni Ancheese a delight. Moreso than in previous books, which have been fun, but disjointed, Green runs a direct line through Heist and Seek, although with plenty of room for silly diversions. It’s another joy and All Tide Up is next on the agenda.