The third in a series of irresistibly charming, beautifully illustrated children's classics - the adventures of Detective Nosegoode and his talking dog, Cody. A famous picture is in danger of being stolen, the headquarters of the Circle of the Aficionados of Checkers has been robbed and an elusive pickpocket strikes at the celebrations to mark the hundredth anniversary of the founding of Lower Limewood. This small town seems to have a attracted quite a number of thieves - a good job they can count the brilliant Detective Nosegoode and his faithful Cody among their residents.