CLUES, CHAOS, AND A DOG

Singer, Marilyn (1950– )

A Nose for Trouble [Illustrated Juvenile Mystery]

New York: Henry Holt & Company, 1985. First Edition, First Printing.

A lively and lesser-seen juvenile mystery introducing Samantha (‘Sam’) Spayed, a canine sleuth paired with the well-meaning but inept detective Philip Barlowe. Marilyn Singer crafts a playful detective narrative with strong pacing and humor, while Andrew Glass’s illustrations elevate the work with expressive, atmospheric linework.

The visual program is a key feature—Glass employs a textured, tonal drawing style reminiscent of pen-and-ink cross-hatching, giving the book a slightly noir-inflected feel uncommon in children’s detective fiction of the period. The title spread and interior plates reinforce character and mood, bridging chapter-book storytelling with a more sophisticated illustrative approach.

Physical Description: Octavo hardcover; 9.25 inches tall; 84 pages. Illustrated throughout with black-and-white drawings by Andrew Glass. Dust jacket designed by Susan Hood. First Edition, First Printing.

Condition: Near Fine in a very good price-clipped dust jacket.
The bindings are tight and square. Text is clean; light, even age-toning. Minimal shelf handling wear.

Historical Significance —
Part of a broader 1980s movement toward more visually engaging juvenile fiction, A Nose for Trouble reflects a shift in children’s publishing where illustration regained importance beyond early readers. The anthropomorphic detective theme places it within a long tradition of animal-led mystery narratives, while its tone aligns with light parody of classic noir detective tropes.

Subjects: children’s detective stories, anthropomorphic animals, Andrew Glass illustration, 1980s children’s literature, canine characters, juvenile fiction, mystery, illustrated books

Item #21889
ISBN: 0030013291

Price: $24.00