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Inspector Flytrap #1
Inspector Flytrap
A funny and clever illustrated early chapter book series in the Flytrap Files universe, from New York Times bestselling author Tom Angleberger and Newbery Honor winner Cece Bell!
Meet Inspector Flytrap! He's a Venus flytrap and world-class solver of BIG DEAL mysteries.
Meet Nina the Goat! She's a goat and Inspector Flytrap's trusty assistant—except when she eats the clues!
Together, they're a great mystery-solving duo! Follow along as they decode a secret message, investigate a stinky shoe, and figure out other big and tasty mysteries.
Read all the hilarious chapter book series in the Flytrap Files
Inspector Flytrap
Didi Dodo, Future Spy
DJ Funkyfoot
Meet Inspector Flytrap! He's a Venus flytrap and world-class solver of BIG DEAL mysteries.
Meet Nina the Goat! She's a goat and Inspector Flytrap's trusty assistant—except when she eats the clues!
Together, they're a great mystery-solving duo! Follow along as they decode a secret message, investigate a stinky shoe, and figure out other big and tasty mysteries.
Read all the hilarious chapter book series in the Flytrap Files
Inspector Flytrap
Didi Dodo, Future Spy
DJ Funkyfoot
112 pages, Hardcover
First published August 2, 2016
148 people are currently reading
1039 people want to read
About the author
Tom Angleberger
81 books794 followersTom Angleberger artist-turned-writer. He is a columnist for the Roanoke Times in Roanoke, Virginia, and began work on his first book while in middle school. Tom is married to author-illustrator Cece Bell. He lives in Christianburg, Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews
October 13, 2016
I was anxious to get my hands on a copy of this new series pairing the married and each super-popular-in-their-own-right couple, Tom Angelberger (Origami Yoda) and Cece Bell (El Deafo). The format is right on target with where we need great new titles too - attractive transitional chapter books to encourage kids out of predominately picture-based books into their first forays into longer written texts. It also serves as a great format for older kids who are reading below grade level and need "cool" looking books that don't look too young to turn them off. And of course, we always need funny. It's got funny and lots of action and a few surprises, with just a touch of gross out, and a madcap unexpected ending. Again, all the right ingredients for a hit series, but overall, it just missed the mark with me. I didn't like the characters. They just kind of mess everything up for their clients and keep moving on to the next "big deal." Missing was any real clever or unique sparkle to the story, and it just kind of misses the target with its quirkiness. I'll add it to my libraries, as it's certain to draw in readers, but I personally don't have any interest in continuing further investigations with Detective Flytrap and Nina.
August 3, 2016
This is hogwash!
It's a funny book but the whole thing is about Inspector Flytrap and Nina the Goat wreaking havoc everywhere they go and then not atoning or apologizing or anything for what they've done. Eating a secret recipe and ruining someone's business, trashing a priceless piece of art, scoffing at someone because they're not important enough... They're a couple of buttheads to be perfectly honest. It was funny when I thought they would do something for reparation, but come on! It ends with them trashing a restaurant and then going on their merry way!
It's a funny book but the whole thing is about Inspector Flytrap and Nina the Goat wreaking havoc everywhere they go and then not atoning or apologizing or anything for what they've done. Eating a secret recipe and ruining someone's business, trashing a priceless piece of art, scoffing at someone because they're not important enough... They're a couple of buttheads to be perfectly honest. It was funny when I thought they would do something for reparation, but come on! It ends with them trashing a restaurant and then going on their merry way!
December 30, 2016
This is a great book for young readers who like Geronimo Stilton and goofy books with awesome illustrations and the occasional comic panel. The main character is a mystery-solving Venus Flytrap and his sidekick is a goat named, Nina. It couldn't get any goofier! Unlike, the Geronimo Stilton series, the font is standard and the text is all black and white, which may be easier for some beginning readers. The chapters are short and laugh-out-loud funny/goofy and everything gets neatly tied up in the end. This is the first of what will be, I'm sure, a very popular series.
September 12, 2016
Meh. Not my favorite. It made me think of stories I made up as a kid. . . . There once was this Venus Flytrap, and guess what? He was a detective and he had a goat that ate everything for an assistant. And they solved all kinds of mysteries, like one time they wondered why no one was calling and then they realized that the goat had eaten the phone! hahahaha! And then . . . and then . . . and then I didn't love it.
May 23, 2016
A Venus flytrap (yes, a plant) that solves mysteries with the help of his assistant, a goat.
Inspector Flytrap overcomes the obstacles of being a plant by riding from place to place on a skateboard pushed by his goat assistant detective.
And, to clarify, he only solves big deal mysteries. Don't bother him with small deals like lost pickle paperweights, please.
Flytrap earned my respect. Awesome detective. Probably the best plant detective I've ever read about.
Inspector Flytrap overcomes the obstacles of being a plant by riding from place to place on a skateboard pushed by his goat assistant detective.
And, to clarify, he only solves big deal mysteries. Don't bother him with small deals like lost pickle paperweights, please.
Flytrap earned my respect. Awesome detective. Probably the best plant detective I've ever read about.
February 4, 2017
My students loved it and have been writing their own inspector stories and drawing Venus flytrap pictures all on their own so it was a hit!
April 30, 2017
i love the part about all the people that he solved mysterys he solved for were chasing him.!
September 11, 2016
A funny book that it perfect for beginning readers!
November 9, 2016
I so wanted to like this. Well loved team, a beginning reader with a comic touch, but too repetitive and a bit flat. Not a first purchase for me.
December 8, 2020
In this uproariously funny illustrated chapter book, the husband-and-wife team of Angleberger and Bell (Crankee Doodle) highlight the outrageous investigations of a Venus flytrap detective—think Inspector Clouseau as carnivorous plant. Inspector Flytrap won’t take just any mystery: it needs to be a “big deal” mystery. Luckily, he gets a few: Lulu Emu at the art museum is curious about a mysterious blob on a da Vinci painting; Koko Dodo’s bakery suddenly stinks; and a rose has been kidnapped from Mimi Kiwi at Snooty la Tooty Gardens. When Inspector Flytrap’s grouchy assistant, Nina the Goat, isn’t eating everything in sight (including evidence) she pushes his flowerpot on a skateboard to the scene of each investigation, however dangerous that may be (“She just shoves me out into the street, right in front of speeding traffic!”). Abundant punning and absurdity, Bell’s equally raucous cartooning, and the trail of destruction that Nina and the inspector leave in their wake make this series opener a “big deal” winner.
From husband-and-wife team Tom Angleberger, and Cece Bell, comes the start to a funny and clever illustrated chapter-book series about a mystery-solving Venus flytrap. With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, this early-chapter-book series is a must for beginning readers.
Inspector Flytrap in the Da Vinci Cold introduces kids to the humorous and wacky world of Inspector Flytrap’s Detective Agency, home to the world-renowned solver of BIG DEAL mysteries. The plant detective works tirelessly with his assistant Nina the Goat on his community’s unsolved cases. There’s no case too big, but there are definitely cases too small for this endearingly self-important plant detective.
Celebrating the disabled yet enabled, the character of Inspector Flytrap is wheeled everywhere (on a skateboard, of course) by his goat sidekick as this mystery-solving duo works on cases such as “The Big Deal Mystery of the Stinky Cookies” and “The Big Deal Mystery of the Missing Rose.”
On his first caper, Inspector Flytrap heads to the Art Museum’s Secret Lab to discover what important message lies in a mysterious glob on a recently discovered Da Vinci flower painting. The ingenious solution: Da Vinci was allergic to flowers.
Combining wacky humor and a silly cast of characters with adventure, friendship, and mystery, the powerhouse team of Tom Angleberger and Cece Bell have created a uniquely engaging series that is perfect for newly independent readers worth some graphic novel–style pages that will attract reluctant readers. That was great fun. Wished I had some grandkids that I could read this style of book too. Was a lot fun to even enjoy by myself. Have fun and enjoy!!!
From husband-and-wife team Tom Angleberger, and Cece Bell, comes the start to a funny and clever illustrated chapter-book series about a mystery-solving Venus flytrap. With easy-to-read language and illustrations on almost every page, this early-chapter-book series is a must for beginning readers.
Inspector Flytrap in the Da Vinci Cold introduces kids to the humorous and wacky world of Inspector Flytrap’s Detective Agency, home to the world-renowned solver of BIG DEAL mysteries. The plant detective works tirelessly with his assistant Nina the Goat on his community’s unsolved cases. There’s no case too big, but there are definitely cases too small for this endearingly self-important plant detective.
Celebrating the disabled yet enabled, the character of Inspector Flytrap is wheeled everywhere (on a skateboard, of course) by his goat sidekick as this mystery-solving duo works on cases such as “The Big Deal Mystery of the Stinky Cookies” and “The Big Deal Mystery of the Missing Rose.”
On his first caper, Inspector Flytrap heads to the Art Museum’s Secret Lab to discover what important message lies in a mysterious glob on a recently discovered Da Vinci flower painting. The ingenious solution: Da Vinci was allergic to flowers.
Combining wacky humor and a silly cast of characters with adventure, friendship, and mystery, the powerhouse team of Tom Angleberger and Cece Bell have created a uniquely engaging series that is perfect for newly independent readers worth some graphic novel–style pages that will attract reluctant readers. That was great fun. Wished I had some grandkids that I could read this style of book too. Was a lot fun to even enjoy by myself. Have fun and enjoy!!!
June 28, 2022
First sentence: My phone rang. "Hello," I said. "Flytrap Detective Agency." A slow voice started asking me questions. "Is this Mr. Flytrap?" "My name, I answered, "is Inspector Flytrap. I am a detective."
Premise/plot: Inspector Flytrap and his handy-not-so-handy assistant Nina (who's a goat) solve a handful of 'big deal' mysteries in Tom Angleberger's Inspector Flytrap. It is the first in a series. As these two are solving one mystery after another after another, hilarity ensues.
My thoughts: I loved this one. I am late to the party, I admit. Only just now discovering a series that started in 2016. But late or not, I am here for it. I first discovered Angleberger's WACKY, WACKY, whimsical world with his DJ Funkyfoot series. Three series are interconnected--Inspector Flytrap, Didi Dodo, and DJ Funkyfoot--and take place in this world.
All of the series are illustrated chapter books or early chapter books.
September 6, 2023
This was as funny as I'd hoped. The mysteries weren't very special but the overall plot and humor was good.
Inspector Flytrap is, you guessed it, a venus flytrap with eyes that can talk. He can't walk, so he gets pushed around by his assistant, Nina the goat. While Inspector Flytrap is trying to solve mysteries, Nina is eating everything around the scene.
The book is in four sections, three of which feature their own mystery. But they aren't independent short stories, they pile on top of each other with a payoff at the end.
Inspector Flytrap is, you guessed it, a venus flytrap with eyes that can talk. He can't walk, so he gets pushed around by his assistant, Nina the goat. While Inspector Flytrap is trying to solve mysteries, Nina is eating everything around the scene.
The book is in four sections, three of which feature their own mystery. But they aren't independent short stories, they pile on top of each other with a payoff at the end.
October 31, 2021
This was a class read-aloud that my students chose. Inspector Flytrap is written for kids and suits their humor perfectly: A potted Venus Flytrap that works as an inspector and his assistant is a goat that eats everything important and causes all sorts of problems. The storyline is very silly but kept my 2nd graders laughing the whole time. This book is perfect for kids ages 6-10.
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July 17, 2017Silly like a Daniel Pinkwater novel, at a simpler reading level, and with less character depth. Angleberger actually acknowledges Pinkwater in the afterword. New chapter book readers will enjoy these.
December 27, 2017
Oh my gosh - this was right up our alley. We had a grand laugh at the adventures of Inspector Flytrap. The names of the characters are hilarious and the kids are still talking about it.
June 13, 2016
I received a digital copy of this title from the publisher via Netgalley.
Ten Second Synopsis:
Got a mystery that's a BIG DEAL? Then Inspector Flytrap is your carnivorous plant. No case too big, many cases too small.
Inspector Flytrap is an illustrated, slapstick adventure that has kid appeal in spades. As you can probably tell from the cover, Inspector Flytrap is no stranger to utter ridiculum, given that he gets about on a skateboard pushed by an obliging goat. This series is aimed at the lower end of the middle grade age bracket as it is filled with repetitive gags - such as everyone getting Inspector Flytrap's official title wrong - and rather obvious (or ridiculously outrageous) solutions to the BIG DEAL mysteries.
To be honest, I found this to be a bit of trial to read and I suspect that this is one of those MG offerings that will appeal to its target age group, but not necessarily to the adults who may have to read it to or with them. Admittedly, the odd guffaw did escape my stony lips at a few points due to the blatant and silly nature of the comedy, however I do not feel any need to follow up with Inspector Flytrap in his adventures that are yet to come.
This is one of those middle grade reads that blends visual and textual information to its great advantage. The illustrations add immensely to the appeal of the book as one would expect, and are integral to the telling of the story. Keep an eye out for the unobtrusive sloth (the real hero of the tale in my opinion) and Nina the goat for providing much of the visual comedy. Without question, this is another addition to that wealth of middle grade literature aimed at kids who just want to have fun with their reading.
Ten Second Synopsis:
Got a mystery that's a BIG DEAL? Then Inspector Flytrap is your carnivorous plant. No case too big, many cases too small.
Inspector Flytrap is an illustrated, slapstick adventure that has kid appeal in spades. As you can probably tell from the cover, Inspector Flytrap is no stranger to utter ridiculum, given that he gets about on a skateboard pushed by an obliging goat. This series is aimed at the lower end of the middle grade age bracket as it is filled with repetitive gags - such as everyone getting Inspector Flytrap's official title wrong - and rather obvious (or ridiculously outrageous) solutions to the BIG DEAL mysteries.
To be honest, I found this to be a bit of trial to read and I suspect that this is one of those MG offerings that will appeal to its target age group, but not necessarily to the adults who may have to read it to or with them. Admittedly, the odd guffaw did escape my stony lips at a few points due to the blatant and silly nature of the comedy, however I do not feel any need to follow up with Inspector Flytrap in his adventures that are yet to come.
This is one of those middle grade reads that blends visual and textual information to its great advantage. The illustrations add immensely to the appeal of the book as one would expect, and are integral to the telling of the story. Keep an eye out for the unobtrusive sloth (the real hero of the tale in my opinion) and Nina the goat for providing much of the visual comedy. Without question, this is another addition to that wealth of middle grade literature aimed at kids who just want to have fun with their reading.
June 5, 2020
Esta es una serie de casos que el Inspector Flytrap (cazamoscas) toma para resolver con su asistente Nina, la cabra. Comenzando por el hecho de que Flytrap es una planta y por ende no puede moverse, y que Nina lo empuja en skate por la ciudad, está lleno de elementos cómicos e irrisorios.
Me reí y lo pasé muy bien leyéndolo. Buscaría más títulos de este Inspector.
Siento que da para compartir muchos momentos positivos, preguntas increíbles y detalles que en realidad estaban por algo, y que sí tenían importancia.
**SPOILERS**
Me reí mucho con "Da Vinci's cold" en sí mismo, y cuando vi que era por "The Da Vinci Code" me reí más aún.
No me esperaba la conexión de todos los casos en el cuarto episodio. Lo subestimé desde el comienzo como una colección de aventuras, y me sorprendió gratamente que no deje ningún hilo suelto (considerando que simplemente huyen de todos los problemas que causaron).
Me reí y lo pasé muy bien leyéndolo. Buscaría más títulos de este Inspector.
Siento que da para compartir muchos momentos positivos, preguntas increíbles y detalles que en realidad estaban por algo, y que sí tenían importancia.
**SPOILERS**
Me reí mucho con "Da Vinci's cold" en sí mismo, y cuando vi que era por "The Da Vinci Code" me reí más aún.
No me esperaba la conexión de todos los casos en el cuarto episodio. Lo subestimé desde el comienzo como una colección de aventuras, y me sorprendió gratamente que no deje ningún hilo suelto (considerando que simplemente huyen de todos los problemas que causaron).
May 29, 2016
It's so great to see husband-and-wife team Tom Angleberger and Cece Bell team up for a book that continues the tradition of CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS. Our heroes include a mystery-solving flytrap who has delusions of grandeur, and his assistant, a goat named Nina who is an indiscriminant eater and pushes Inspector Flytrap on a skateboard when he needs to visit a crime scene. Flytrap solves the mysteries and Nina adds to the problems for the clients, so by the end of this first volume, Nina and Flytrap find themselves being chased by a mob of angry former clients. Looking forward to other installments in this series!
August 9, 2016
Inspector Flytrap is a detective and solver of BIG DEAL mysteries. And a plant. He gets around by skateboard, pushed by his assistant, Nina the Goat (a goat)! Nina is a great assistant, except for when she eats the evidence. Together the two solve mysteries involving a stinky shoe, a lost pickle paperweight, an odd painting and a missing rose. Husband and wife team of Angleberger and Bell have created a fun and funny illustrated short chapter book that is sure to be a huge hit with readers in grades 1-4. Perfect for fans of Captain Underpants and Elephant and Piggie.
August 25, 2016
Lets talk about a big deal - this superstar literary couple produce a beginning chapter book together and its also a mystery! That is a very big deal. Unfortunately, the story is just flat except when its repetitive for no good reason. It definitely reads like the author was told to write a book for children who needed to practice their reading fluency and he just could not sneak any more interesting plot into the mix. Loved the illustrations by Cece Bell, but cannot give this one a strong yes.
April 30, 2017
4/30/2017 ** A bit silly; definitely lacking in depth. Probably just right for the intended audience. A plant who's a detective? really? a goat in an art museum, eating priceless treasures? Yep. On the other hand, for kids who are just moving beyond I Can Reads, this might be just the ticket: 18 pt font, illustrations on every page, less than 100 pages. For kids who are reading books in the Branches line from Scholastic, this is another alternative. I'll give it a try in my library and see how the kids respond.
January 2, 2017
Madcap antics with plenty of humor that will appeal to emerging readers. As an adult, I appreciated that the disparate threads came together so it was less episodic and more of a complete story. Less rude than Junie B and less potty-centric than Captain Underpants, this will probably be a winner with a lot of parents.
August 20, 2017
I'm disappointed I didn't like this one more, because I really like Cece Bell and Tom Angleberger as people. The characters are abrasive and rude, and the situations are frustrating. I'm sure kids will enjoy it, but there are other goofy kids' mysteries out there that I think are better.
Note: I received a digital review copy of this title through NetGalley.
Note: I received a digital review copy of this title through NetGalley.
December 13, 2020
These are good books, they stick onto characters, and they are rather surprising, with the right amount of humor. So funny. :D There is also mysteries, but not too scary ones, so just right. Also, they are perfect for little kids who aren't into reading or don't have a long attention span. Good for 4-10 ish.
August 16, 2016
bumbling flytrap detective goes about solving only BIG CASES
multiple mysteries in each book
goat secretary usually ruins everything
for kids who like Zany & gross-out humor (capt. underpants etc)
i hated it but i know kids who would like it
multiple mysteries in each book
goat secretary usually ruins everything
for kids who like Zany & gross-out humor (capt. underpants etc)
i hated it but i know kids who would like it
December 23, 2016
Ridiculous adventures of a mystery-solving Venus flytrap. Pretty certain this will tickle the nephew's funny bone. Gift for Christmas 2016:
A huge busload of ostriches was coming right at us.
"Duck!" yelled Wanda.
"No, ostriches," I said.
A huge busload of ostriches was coming right at us.
"Duck!" yelled Wanda.
"No, ostriches," I said.
April 27, 2016
I wish this book had ended on a less heteronormative note, but it's Tom Angleberger and Cece Bell, so I really can't complain. It's pretty darn hilarious.
November 11, 2020
This book will appeal to those who enjoy graphic novel.
It's predictable and repetitive. It's a fast read for pure fun.
If you like a silly read then this is the perfect book for you.
It's predictable and repetitive. It's a fast read for pure fun.
If you like a silly read then this is the perfect book for you.
January 3, 2021
These books are hilarious and zany. I never thought I’d see two of my favorite things, fly traps and goats, in the same place!!
December 27, 2017
I rated the book three stars but it does deserve 5 stars in the wacky genre! This is the perfect book for kids who I can never suggest the right book. These kids have been a BIG DEAL* mystery to me. Why? Because nothing I say wakes them up. These kids need to find a book on their own (like when hearing someone else (not me) reading and laughing and they are curious to find out what's it all about). Well, I have my wake up plan now! First read Elizabite: Adventures of a Carnivorous Plant by H.A. Rey to a class of second graders, then casually mention there is another book about a Flytrap inspector and his assistant, a goat. Place the Inspector Flytrap book in a prominent place, and voilà! It just takes one kid to read it and the word starts getting out. Then I happen to tell a small group that there are two other Flytrap books, and I plan to order them, and I then I wait. Ha! The librarian/wacky in disguise strikes again!
I must mention here that Flytrap is not just for the "not-wanting-the-librarian-to-think-they-want-a-book-kids" or second to fifth graders**, it's for anyone who wants a laugh.
*Thanks, Inspector Flytrap! **I'm at an elementary school
I must mention here that Flytrap is not just for the "not-wanting-the-librarian-to-think-they-want-a-book-kids" or second to fifth graders**, it's for anyone who wants a laugh.
*Thanks, Inspector Flytrap! **I'm at an elementary school
Displaying 1 - 30 of 206 reviews