Lou Lou & Pea and the Mural Mystery by Jill Diamond (review)

Longtime best friends Lou Lou Bombay and Peacock Pearl (known as Pea) have a peaceful rhythm to their days until unexplained misfortunes start befalling them and their fellow El Corazón residents. In solving each problem—the pet-napping of a beloved rabbit, the planticide of Lou Lou’s prize camellia, the irreparable staining of a quinceañera dress—they rely on their wits and observations to figure out what’s afoot, noticing depictions of these various disasters appearing in the town’s giant murals and keeping a close eye on Lou Lou’s suspicious new neighbor. Of course, the culprit is never who you’d think, but thanks to some helpful hints, sharp readers will discern who might have a motive for these petty crimes. While elements of the book—the girls’ names, Lou Lou’s ship-themed house—verge on the twee and the mystery isn’t exactly a nail-biter, Diamond’s graceful use of diverse characters and customs, including half-Mexican Pea, creates a rich and more representative world. Expressive line drawings flesh out the text and give further insight into the girls and their community, resulting in an immersive mystery with minimal tension. Give this gateway to the cozies to inseparable friends or your future No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency readers.