By Jennifer Bell (author) , Sarah Horne (illustrator) Part of the Buck & Ears Pirate Detectives series
"A duo of failed pirates get a fresh lease of life as swashbuckling sleuths in this puzzle-and pandemonium-packed start to a series."
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May 2026 Book of the Month
Brimming with character and verbal and visual puns (Sarah Horne’s illustrations are a joy), Jennifer Bell’s Buck & Ears: Pirate Detectives sees a pair of hapless pirates discover they have a talent for solving mysteries. As such, it’s excellent read for 7+-year-olds who love deciphering clues, and like their fiction to be fast, funny and filled with adventure.
Framed as a book that’s being read by “Agatha Fishty, the most famous mystery writer on the Seventy Seas”, the story starts with Buck fresh from having failed at his first attempt at being a pirate captain, with the always-positive Ears as his trusty first-mate. In need of new occupations, the duo think they’ve found their calling as pirate detectives when they encounter the fearsome Captain Bloodfang and accept a risky ultimatum: failure to find Bloodfang’s missing mermaid chef in three days will see them turned into stew!
With stacks of clues speckled through the story, including references to Agatha Fishty herself, Buck & Ears: Pirate Detectives is a high-energy story packed with quirky characters and outlandish twists that are sure to keep kids hurtling through the pages faster than a brigandine on the high seas.
Two terrible pirates ... two brilliant detectives! The first book in a hilarious illustrated pirate mystery series for readers 6-9, crammed with puzzles and clues for the reader to solve. Young fans of funny books like Invesitgators and Grimwood and puzzle books like Cluedle and Murdle Junior will love this series!
Read the full description
Buck and his loyal rabbit, Ears, are officially the WORSE PIRATES on the Seventy Seas! When they bump into the terrifying CAPTAIN BLOODFANG, she gives them an ultimatum: follow CLUES to find her missing chef, or else be turned into pirate stew!
Along with their MISFIT CREW, can Buck and Ears SOLVE THE CASE and save themselves from a horrible fate?
Laugh out loud as you spot the clues and try to solve the mystery before pirate detectives Buck and Ears!
"Buck & Ears is the funniest book of 2026! Hilariously bonkers and full of brilliantly twisty puzzles to solve, this is as fun and as fab as a book can be!" Elle McNicoll, author of A Kind of Spark "Five stars on the seven seas for this brilliant new series." Andy Shepherd, author of The Boy who Grew Dragons "A funny mystery story with perfectly plotted clues and stunning illustrations. The perfect reading for pleasure series." Mel Taylor-Bessent, author of Race to Imagination Island " Buck & Ears Pirate Detectives invites you to enter a colourful and distinctly smelly world. You just want to pinch your nose and dive right in!" Alasdair Beckett-King, author of Montgomery BonBon: Murder at the Museum "A rollicking read packed with humour and heart. I can't wait to read Buck & Ears' next adventure!" Rachel Chivers-Khoo, author of The Wishkeeper's Apprentice
Jennifer Bell worked as a children’s bookseller at a world-famous bookshop before becoming an author. She began working in children's books as a specialist bookseller at Foyles, Charing Cross Road - one of the world's most famous bookstores. Here, she looked after the shop's five not-so-deadly piranha fish as well as recommending children's books to celebrities, royalty and even astronauts. After having the privilege of listening to children talk about their favourite books for many years, she started writing one of her own
Her debut novel, The Uncommoners: The Crooked Sixpence , was an international bestseller. Jennifer came up for the idea of The Crooked Sixpence while packing for a holiday and wishing she could just disappear inside her suitcase and be there already. The world of Lundinor is inspired by sayings from traditional English nursery rhymes as well as the stories Jennifer grew up with about the Cockney markets her grandparents used to visit.
She is also the author of Agents of the Wild , an adventure series for younger readers; Wonderscape , which was selected as a Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month and is inspired by some of her favourite heroes from history and her love of gaming; and Legendarium, which celebrates incredible legends from around the world. Magicalia: Race of Wonders is the first in an exciting new fantasy series.
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Two terrible pirates ... two brilliant detectives! The first book in a hilarious illustrated pirate mystery series for readers 6-9, crammed with puzzles and clues for the reader to solve.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Buck & Ears, Pirate Detectives and determined it is suitable for children aged 7-10 years old
Buck & Ears, Pirate Detectives features in the following genres: Featured Books for 7+ readers, Featured Books for 9+ readers, Books of the Month, Recommendations, Adventure Stories, Crime & Mystery, Funny, Activity and Puzzle Books, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Humour and jokes, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Hobbies, quizzes, toys and games, Children’s / Teenage: General interest
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
Buck & Ears, Pirate Detectives was written by Jennifer Bell and published by Walker Books
Buck & Ears, Pirate Detectives has 218 pages
Yes it is part of Buck & Ears Pirate Detectives series
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
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