The Pasta Detectives

Rico is an unusual boy. Sometimes he's laughed at because he mixes things up in his head and he doesn't know his left from his right. But Rico is brilliant at noticing the little things that nobody else does. Like a piece of pasta lying on the pavement. Or the strange goings-on in the apartment block where he lives. But it isn't until his new friend, the gifted but anxious Oscar, is kidnapped that Rico gets the chance to put all his special skills-and tenacity-to the test. An outstanding and distinctive new voice, Andreas Steinhofel is one of Germany's most highly regarded authors. Exciting, touching and funny mystery, exploring the friendship between two unusual boys who notice the things that others miss: the mildly autistic Rico and the brainy but anxiety-ridden Oscar. The first of three curious crime-solving adventures, quirkily recorded by Rico in his journal.