The Case of the Cursed Dodo by Jake G. Panda Series: The Endangered Files #1
Published by Woolly Family Studios on October 3, 2017 (first published 2014)
Source: Author
Genres: Middle School, Mystery
Pages: 2 hrs 34 mins
Format: Audiobook
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If you're looking for trouble, you've found it. The name's Jake G. Panda, and trouble seems to follow me wherever I go. I work in the protection racket at a flophouse for endangered critters called the Last Resort. I'm the hotel snoop. The resident fuzz. It's my job to keep these guests safe and outta harm's way. This is the first of my many misadventures. A wild and woolly mystery involving a lost suitcase, a green bird, and a bunch of double-crossing animals. I'm calling this jungle noir The Case of the Cursed Dodo.
I listened to the full cast audio of The Case of the Cursed Dodo. I am not used to listening to books with more than one, or at most two, narrators, so it did take me a chapter or two to get into the groove of it. It was an interesting set-up though. The book is written in kind of a screen play style, so on audio it felt like you were listening to an old-style radio show, which was pretty neat.
I liked the characters, all endangered species, and the hotel that serves as the base of operations. Jake is a good semi-hard-boiled detective, gruff and tough, but also loyal. We’ve even got a dame, although condors are not really my idea of sexy birds. My one complaint is that there are a few too many bad guys, it got a bit confusing who was on which side and why. I also expected to learn a bit more about the various endangered species, other than just their names. The end was little weird too, but i’m pretty sure kids would just accept it.
Overall, it was a fun book to listen too. I so think some of the jokes and comments would go over the heads of middle schoolers, but since they’d enjoy the adventure, it might make it perfect for a family car trip.
About Jake G. Panda
Jake G. Panda is a wildlife investigator. A hardboiled Winnie-the-Pooh. He likes bamboo and saving endangered animals. He is the author of The Endangered Files, a mystery series about his misadventures in the protection business.
His partner in crime, the fella who helps write these books because, let’s be honest, it’s not easy typing with big, clunky bear paws, resides somewhere in New England. He has written his fair share of stuff, mostly for the big screen. And some of it has actually been projected. He likes to keep a low profile and lets Jake do all the talking.
Kids are more accepting of things like weird endings. I bet this would be a hit with the younger set.
I think so too. Amber would have liked it when she was younger,especially because all the characters are animals.
The cursed dodo, lol
And yet at the end there are three living dodos.