Gondola to Danger: A QUIX Book

By Robert Quackenbush

World-famous duck-tective Miss Mallard tries to track down a missing masterpiece in this engaging Aladdin QUIX mystery.

Miss Mallard finds herself chasing a stolen masterpiece through Venice’s maze of canals while attending an opera festival.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aladdin
• Release date: Jan 8, 2019
• ISBN: 9781534414075

Robert Quackenbush

Robert Quackenbush (1929–2021), the author and illustrator of more than two hundred books for young readers, was a graduate of the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles and also had a master’s degree in social studies and a PhD in childhood education. Quackenbush’s many books include the Henry the Duck series, Detective Mole, the Miss Mallard Mystery series, Pete Pack Rat, and the Sheriff Sally Gopher series. He was the three-time winner of the American Flag Institute Award for outstanding contributions to children’s literature and winner of an Edgar Allan Poe Special Award for best juvenile mystery. He lived in New York City with his wife, Margery, director of NAAP. Their now adult son, Piet, was the inspiration for many of the author’s books when he was growing up.

Book preview

Contents

Cast of Characters

What’s in Miss Mallard’s Bag?

Chapter 1: Art Theft!

Chapter 2: Gondola Ride

Chapter 3: Masked Duck

Chapter 4: Wild Duck Chase

Chapter 5: True Signature

Word List

Questions

Acknowledgments

About the Author

First for Piet and Margie, and now for Emma and Aidan

Cast of Characters

Miss Mallard: World-famous ducktective

El Ducko: A famous artist

Alfredo: A Doge’s Palace guard

Enrico: A Doge’s Palace officer

Gino: A gondolier who takes Miss Mallard around Venice’s canals

What’s in Miss Mallard’s Bag?

Miss Mallard has many detective tools she brings with her on her adventures around the world.

In her knitting bag she usually has:

• Newspaper clippings

• Knitting needles and yarn

• A magnifying glass

• A flashlight

• A mirror

• A travel guide

• Chocolates for her nephew

1

Art Theft!

Miss Mallard, the world-famous ducktective,