The Case of the Stinky Stench by Josh Funk July Book of the Month

It was about a year and a half ago that I had the privilege of reading and reviewing the fun yet quirky children's book Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast. The story was a huge favourite with both myself and my kids so when I heard that there was a sequel to be read I was more than a bit eager to get my hands on a copy and once I did I knew it had to be my book of the month. 

The Case of the Stinky Stench follows Lady Pancake, Sir French Toast along with French Toast's nephew Inspector Croissant on the trail of a very smelly mystery indeed but just where could this foul odour be coming from?

There’s a stinky stench in the fridge—and our favorite foodie friends must solve a smelly mystery! Sir French Toast’s nephew, Inspector Croissant, begs him and Lady Pancake for help in finding the source of the foul odor. Could it be the devious Baron Von Waffle? A fetid fish lurking in the bottom of Corn Chowder Lake?

What I immediately loved about this book was the familiarity of it, it felt as though we were being reunited with old friends. The story takes as back into the depth of the fridge way past Trifle Tower, the lovely Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast seem to be having a wonderful vacation by the Marshmallow Coast when all of a sudden a panicked Inspector Croissant comes along to spoil their peace.

He needs their help and quick sharpish.

"Uncle", Croissant said, "the fridge is in trouble! A horrible stench turned a whole shelf to rubble! I'm the last hope or the fridge will be lost!"

The question is can Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast really help?

As they set about solving the case we are introduced to more characters both old and new. Could the pesky Baron Von Waffle be behind all of the commotion this time or could a Red Herring be the source of all the problems? We're taken on another foodtastic journey from Onion Ring Cave to Casserole Cliff, with so many obstacles encountered.

Josh Funk has managed to create another delectable story. The rhyming wordplay with food makes it so easy to read and alongside the illustrations from Brendan Kearney what lurks in the fridge is really bought to life, I mean I certainly didn't know that so much went on in there, must keep an eye on that Miss Brie!

"Someone destroy him!" said Pancake. "Right now." Sure." replied toast, "but I can't fathom how."

My girls loved the added pull out page at the end of the story which is an illustrated map of the journey the gang of super sleuths took. I think our fridges may have secret compartments as there are a lot of destinations to stop at.

This is one of the best sequels I've read and it had the kids immediately digging out our copy of Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast to re-read. I think these two have become our favourite breakfast duo and along with Inspector Croissant, it is another crazy adventure that you won't tire reading about. Modern time classics in the making.