A Mystery at the Incredible Hotel

 
　　「不可思議大飯店」的蛋糕享負盛名，吸引人們特地前來飯店品嘗美味，就連公爵夫人也每天帶著愛犬馬卡龍造訪。
 
　　某天，不可思議大飯店的經理宣布，今年度的世界烘焙大賽即將在飯店舉辦，而且這次比賽特別請到世界最知名的Tartine主廚來擔任主審！前作The Incredible Hotel中的主角 Stefan再次登場，他非常興奮能被選為城市的代表參加比賽，下定決心一定要做出有史以來最好吃、最巧克力、最不可思議的甜點。Stefan花了整個月苦思嘗試，終於想出機密配方的新食譜，沒想到比賽當天早上，食譜竟然不翼而飛！　
 
　　廚房一陣慌亂之下，幸好這時服務員Matilda自告奮勇，準備出馬辦案。Matilda平時最愛吃蛋糕和讀偵探小說，正等著這個能大展身手的好機會。儘管飯店經理不相信Matilda可以解決難題，但Matilda不畏困難，運用她的偵探技能一路追查，線索最終帶她來到飯店最高級的皇家套房，她能成功揪出誰是小偷嗎？Stefan還來不來得及參加世界烘焙大賽？
 
　　A Mystery at the Incredible Hotel是大獲好評的繪本The Incredible Hotel的續集，墨水、鉛筆與水彩構成線條鮮明的細膩插圖，再搭配精彩的文字，華美細緻的風格讓人彷彿置身不可思議大飯店，一同享受精采的破案過程和甜點。

　　In this follow-up to The Incredible Hotel, a crime disrupts the prestigious baking competition taking place at the hotel. But will detective Matilda be able to solve the case?

　　The World Baking Competition is coming up. It is taking place at the Incredible Hotel and will be judged by guest of honour, Chef Tartine. Stefan has perfected his chocolate cake recipe but on the morning of the event... the recipe is nowhere to be found!

　　Luckily, the best detective in Delaunay is on hand – Stefan’s best friend, Matilda. Who could the thief be?! Everyone has their theory and Mr Starch, the hotel manager, is ready to point the finger at a baking saboteur...

　　From exceptionally talented author Kate Davies and award-winning illustrator Isabelle Follath, this enchantingly illustrated and nostalgic picture book visits the same unique hotel as the previous book, depicted in characterful illustrations and described with whimsical and charming text. With a strong and smart female lead, this is a principled and entertaining story.

　　Kate Davies was born and brought up in north-west London, UK. She studied English at Oxford University before becoming a writer and editor of children's books. She also writes comedy scripts and is the author of the best-selling novel for adults, In At the Deep End, which published in 2019. Kate lives in east London with her wife.

　　Isabelle Follath lives in Zurich, Switzerland with her husband, her daughter and her dog. She has been working as a freelance illustrator for advertising agencies, magazines and publishers for over 15 years, but Joy is her first picture book for children. Her work mainly uses ink, pencils and watercolour, alongside digital techniques.