Pierre the Maze Detective - The Search for the Stolen Maze Stone by Hiro Kamigaki and IC4DESIGN (Laurence King Publishing)

When is a 'hidden objects' book not just a hidden objects book? When it's also crammed with devilishly difficult maze challenges. Dive into the world of Pierre the Maze Detective!
Do your kids love a challenge? Are they super-observant? Are they fans of "Where's Wally" and other hidden object and character books? Then they're going to truly love "Pierre the Maze Detective - The Search for the Stolen Maze Stone". Hiro Kamigaki and IC4DESIGN have collaborated on this huge thick and immensely immersive puzzle book that will almost put hair on your chest with a ton of fiendish puzzles to explore.

The core story involves Pierre, who along with his friend Carmen stumbles across a new case. A precious artifact - the maze stone - has been stolen and it's wreaking havoc in Opera City and beyond as everything - literally everything - is turning into a twisting, turning maze before their very eyes.

In each page spread, the core objective is to trace your way through the mazes that are presented as locations around Opera City. Think you're in for an easy time? Think again!

Starting off in Pierre's fabulous garage HQ. Can you pick your way through the chaos in several maze challenges?

As you can see from the first scene, Pierre and Carmen will be tested to the very limit not just by the mazes but by the hidden object challenges and 'side mission' requests which they must complete in order to piece together the final clues leading to Mr X - the nefarious thief who has made off with the stone.

Glorious artwork reminiscent of Studio Ghibli completely won us over!

As you can see from the book's glorious innards, there's such a huge amount of detail in each page that this will keep your little ones occupied for hour after hour. A truly beautiful book that's a treat for your eyes and brain at the same time...!

Intricacy is the name of the game! Even the names of the stores Downtown hint at the book's complexity

With observational books becoming the next big thing, it's a timely release from Laurence King publishing to put out a book that sets such a high standard for puzzle books. Even once you've completed the story challenge and various side-challenges, it's just such a thing of beauty that you'll want to dive into it again and again just to pick up anything you might have missed first time round.

Glorious puzzling and observational fun in this luxurious book!

Charlotte's favourite bit: The museum where all the exhibits seem to come to life!

Daddy's favourite bit: Challenging puzzles, truly glorious artwork, a big thick weighty puzzle book that will keep your youngsters occupied (and blissfully quiet) for hours.

(Kindly sent to us for review by Laurence King Publishing)

"Pierre the Maze Detective - The Search for the Stolen Maze Stone"

Written and Illustrated by Hiro Kamigaki and IC4DESIGN

Published by Laurence King Publishing. 

Release Date: 7th September 2015