Coming December 15, 2026
Unicorn Detective 1: Who Stole the Mermaid's Purse?

A top-secret case. A mythical mystery. And a crime-fighting unicorn detective with no patience for nonsense (or split ends).

Detective Spark Bubblewand takes pride in two things: his flawless mane and flawless case record. He thought he'd seen it all working at the Mythical Bureau of Investigation. But when a fairy causes chaos and a mermaid's magical purse goes missing, Spark finds himself up to his horn in a case that's stranger than a sasquatch's shower schedule.

Spark and his big-footed rookie partner Squatch will have to follow the clues and outsmart the Rainbow Realm's cleverest creatures to crack the case--before it's too late.

Mystery, mayhem, and magical mishaps await in this laugh-out-loud adventure that proves one thing: Not all heroes need capes. Some just need a little bit of magic... and a lot of glitter.

Unicorn Detective is an illustrated chapter book series featuring a clever unicorn detective, his big-foot partner, and mysteries rooted in global folklore and mythology. Who Stole the Mermaid's Purse? is the first title in the series, and the next two in the series--one featuring leprechauns and the other werewolves--will follow in 2027.

"Baines's beat is typically nonfiction, and appended notes on real mermaid purses, mermaid myths, mice, Blackbeard, and more, along with a character guide, show her sure hand. Spark's vanity and silly swears ("Fluffy frog fingers!") and Squatch's earnest misunderstandings add amusement. Marks' goofy line drawings enliven every page. The mash-up of fantastical elements and hardboiled detective story will garner plenty of fans for this series opener. Magic and laughs fuel an engaging and goofy mystery." --Kirkus Reviews

Features: 

• Unicorns, mermaids, sasquatches--oh my! A laugh-out-loud chapter book mystery featuring a cast of mythical creatures, led by an unforgettable unicorn detective and his lovable yeti sidekick.
• Blends wacky humor with social-emotional themes, including teamwork, intuition, fairness, and first impressions.
• For fans of Inspector Flytrap, InvestiGators, and Unicorn Diaries--this is the perfect bridge from picture books to chapter books for ages 6-9.
• Packed with cinematic storytelling, cliffhanger chapter endings, and clever banter, ideal for reluctant readers or classroom read-alouds.
• Mythical world-building meets detective noir, featuring secret organizations, decoy villains, and a mystery with a cheese-based twist no one will see coming.
• Backmatter includes fun facts based on the characters and storylines from the book, presented as Detective Notes.