Time Stops for No Mouse

I guess I can't resist another mouse tale. Hermux Tantamoq is a mild-mannered work-a-day mouse who lives a quiet life working in his watch repair shop. Despite his apparent averageness, he has an extraordinary sense of optimism. When an exotic and beautiful aviatrix (you gotta love that word) drops off a mess of a watch, Hermux is smitten. He dutifully repairs her watch in a timely manner (nudge-nudge). But when she neglects to pick up the watch, Hermux begins to worry. He becomes especially suspicious when a sinister-looking rat tries to pick up the watch. Hermux decides to investigate.

Meanwhile, Hermux has to deal with his neighbor, Tucka Mertslin, who is in the midst of building a comsetics empire. When Hermux disapproves of Tucka's modern art makeover of their apartment lobby, she accuses him of being ignorant of beauty. So Hermux begins to keep a journal wherein he notes the beauty in the smallest of all things.

This is the coziest of mysteries (the book rates itself as Rated: Not Too Scary). Hermux is the most lovable of heroes. How can you not like someone with a pet ladybug? His cheeriness is contagious. This should certainly appeal to fans of mouse heroes (Stuart Little, Redwall) as well as fans of light mysteries. Some of the satirical stabs at modern art reminded me of the early Cat Who mysteries.