A cozy mystery series for ages 5–9

Whiskers & Clues Nina, the Cat Detective

Whiskers & Clues: Nina, the Cat Detective is an illustrated cozy mystery series by Jonia Epp for children ages five to nine. Every book presents a gentle, self-contained mystery with fair clues young readers can solve alongside Nina.

Cover of Nina and the Mystery of the Missing Necklace
Cover of Nina and the Case of the Vanishing Cupcakes
Cover of Nina and the Mystery of the Mayor’s Medal

Three gentle mysteries with fair clues, short chapters, and pictures throughout.

Every book presents a complete case, so families can begin with the mystery that catches their child’s interest. Reading in order lets children follow Nina, Emily, and Paris through new mysteries in Whiskerville.

Cover of Nina and the Mystery of the Missing Necklace
Available now

Book One

Nina and the Mystery of the Missing Necklace

A treasured sapphire necklace disappears overnight, leaving an open window and an empty velvet box. Nina is on the case.

Explore Book One
Cover of Nina and the Case of the Vanishing Cupcakes
Available now

Book Two

Nina and the Case of the Vanishing Cupcakes

The festival cupcakes vanish from a locked bakery on the biggest morning of spring. Time for Nina to follow her nose.

Explore Book Two
Cover of Nina and the Mystery of the Mayor’s Medal
Coming soon

Book Three

Nina and the Mystery of the Mayor’s Medal

Days before Founders’ Day, the Mayor’s Medal vanishes from locked Town Hall. Nothing is broken, and nothing else is missing.

Preview Book Three
Coming November 18, 2026

Gentle mysteries children can solve alongside Nina

Fair clues

The important details appear before the reveal, giving children a real chance to solve each case with Nina.

Cozy, not scary

Each puzzle creates curiosity and gentle suspense without frightening scenes or a heavy mood.

Short chapters

Manageable chapters support growing readers and make family read-aloud time easy to pause and resume.

Kindness at the heart

The answers lead to honest conversations about friendship, community, mistakes, and making things right.

Meet the detectives

Nina, the gray-and-white cat detective

Nina

The Cat Detective

A gray-and-white cat with bright green eyes and a nose for trouble. Nina notices the small, quiet things everyone else walks right past.

Emily, Whiskerville’s librarian and Nina’s best friend

Emily

Town Librarian & Best Friend

Emily keeps her notebook close and her yellow pencil ready, recording every clue Nina finds along the way.

Paris, the energetic tortoiseshell kitten

Paris

The Bouncy Helper

A round little tortoiseshell kitten with endless energy, plenty of theories, and no intention of missing the excitement.

The storybook streets of Whiskerville

Whiskerville

A cozy town of cobblestone streets and flower-filled gardens, where the warm smell of fresh bread drifts down the lane and a robin sings on the edge of the fountain.

It looks like an ordinary, quiet place. But mysteries have a way of turning up when you least expect them, and every single one begins with a clue.

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Why readers return to Nina’s mysteries

★★★★★

“I read this book to my 6 and 5 year old boys. They absolutely loved it and didn’t want me to stop reading it. It kept everyone’s attention all the way through the book.”

★★★★★

“An excellent mystery adventure for children. As a librarian, I have added the entire series to our storytime, much to the children’s delight.”

★★★★★

“This is a simple, evenly paced story and like every good detective tale, it follows a trail of little clues that ultimately solve the mystery. It also highlights the importance of kindness and honesty.”

Ela Sharp · Goodreads review · Book Two

The Whiskerville activity pack

Every Club member receives a printable activity pack with crosswords, mazes, spot-the-difference puzzles, and coloring pages inspired by Nina’s cases.

Crosswords

Whiskerville-themed puzzles that turn new vocabulary into a game.

A-maze-ing mazes

Help Nina follow the trail from the first clue to the big reveal.

Spot the difference

Train those detective eyes on cozy scenes from the books.

Coloring pages

Bring Nina, Emily, and Paris to life in your own colors.

Get the free activity pack

Join the Whiskerville Club. Free, unsubscribe any time.

Be ready when the next clue appears

Join the Whiskerville Club for monthly Letters from Whiskerville, book news, printable activities, and occasional surprises from Nina’s cozy town.

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