Les petites affaires du port

A journey, forty puzzles, and a good reason not to turn the page too quickly.

Lucien Morel spent his career in the police. Now retired, he has lost none of his interest in details that do not fit, overly confident witnesses and conclusions reached a little too quickly.

When his fourteen-year-old grandson Milo joins him on a train journey to the Parc des Lanternes, the former commissioner's memories become the starting point for a game of reasoning. An appointment time, a mysterious parcel, an unexpected route, a few coins or a simple calculation error: everyday little cases can conceal real challenges.

Other characters join the conversation along the way. Each brings questions, ideas and a different way of reasoning. Milo soon discovers that a former commissioner does not always have the last word.

40 puzzles to exercise logic and observation

Inside the book:

• 40 puzzles of increasing difficulty, combining deduction, logic, calculation, observation and strategy.
• A continuous story with engaging characters and mischievous dialogue.
• Two progressive hints for each puzzle when you need a little help.
• Detailed solutions that explain the reasoning, rather than just giving the answer.
• Black-and-white illustrations inspired by the visual world of classic detective stories.

An invitation to think

No police knowledge or advanced mathematics is needed. Each puzzle provides the information required to solve it. Some can be worked out in your head; others deserve a notebook, a pencil and a few minutes of thought.

Designed to be browsed, annotated and returned to at your own pace, the paperback suits train journeys, quiet evenings, holidays and moments of relaxation.

An illustrated puzzle book for adults who enjoy mysteries, gently suspenseful stories and the pleasure of finding a solution for themselves.

Pick up a pencil. The train will wait.