Stevie and Jesse are back solving mysteries in What’s a Daring Detective Like Me Doing in the Doghouse?, the fifth in Linda Bailey’s popular mystery series. This time out, the two intrepid detectives are trying to discover the identity of an infamous prankster who has pulled such notable pranks as stealing the Prime Minister’s underwear and locking a basketball superstar in a broom closet. Things get really complicated, however, when Stevie realizes that the stray dog she has taken in is the same animal that was recently kidnapped from the President of the United States while he was visiting Vancouver.

As with the earlier titles in this series, this book features enjoyable and sometimes quirky characters, a lively, fast-paced story, lots of humour, and a mystery that rewards careful sleuthing on the part of the reader. This novel is set in Vancouver, and the inclusion of well-known Vancouver landmarks, such as the Granville Market, give the story a strong sense of place. Some readers may find the plot a bit too far-fetched, and most will probably miss the element of danger that spiced up the climaxes of earlier stories in the series. Nevertheless, this entertaining mystery is sure to be a hit with young readers.