Chapter 1

Inspector Flytrap #1 TOM ANGLEBERGER & CECE BELL

Chapter 1 My phone rang. "Hello," I said. "Flytrap Detective Agency." A slow voice started asking me questions. "Is this Mr. Flytrap?" "My name," I answered, "is Inspector Flytrap. I am a detective." "Are you really a plant?"

"Yes, I am a Venus flytrap, a rare type of plant that catches and eats flies." "Did you say flies?" the slow voice asked. "Yes." "You eat flies?" "Yes. And any other small insects I can catch." "That's disgusting!" I was starting to get mad. "Listen, pal," I said. "Look me up in the encyclopedia, if you want, but I don't have time to be slowly insulted all day. Do you have a mystery for me to solve or not?" "Yes." "Is it a BIG DEAL mystery?" "Well...," said the slow voice. "It is ...a big deal... to me..." "OK, pal," I said. "Tell me about it. As quickly as possible. I'm in a big hurry!"

"I lost my pickle paperweight." "What's that?" "It's a metal pickle... that's used to hold papers... down on a desk." "Sorry, pal," I said. "I solve only BIG DEAL mysteries!" And I hung up before he could start a slow argument about it. Sheesh! A lost metal pickle! Who cares! That's a SMALL DEAL.

I'm trying to become the greatest detective that ever grew! I don't have time to go around looking for metal pickles!