LI CHEN is the author of best-selling graphic novel The Case of the Missing Hat, now our favourite kitten detective is back in the sequel Detective Beans and the Map of Mystery. Read on for a Q&A with the author.
MEET LI CHEN
What inspired Detective Beans and the Map of Mystery, and how did you approach writing a treasure-map adventure?
I’ve always loved treasure-map stories. There are so many fun aspects to it all: finding clues, solving riddles, and uncovering ancient treasure (without setting off any booby traps!). I think everyone has dreamed of going on an adventure like that and I wanted Beans to experience it.
I started by listing classic adventure elements I wanted to include – cryptic riddles, giant rolling boulders, secret tunnels, etc. But I also wanted the story to take some unexpected twists, so I thought a lot about how I could achieve that in a rewarding way. Hopefully, the end result feels fun and familiar, but also surprising and unique.
What can you tell us about the mystery at the heart of this book?
This is a hard one to answer because I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone! Let’s just say the treasure map leads Beans all over town and in the end, the treasure wasn’t quite what he was expecting. But if you’re observant, you might pick up on some clues along the way…
How did you come up with the idea of Cat Town?
The short answer is: I love cats. The long answer is I really, really, really love cats!
I’d wanted to make a comic set in a town of cat residents since 2013, but I didn’t know where to start. Then in early 2021, I was doodling and came up with the idea of Detective Beans. That’s when I realised he could be my main character and I could tell stories about Cat Town through his eyes. Once I had him, everything else clicked into place.
Fun fact: In the story “Beans Finds a Case” in my second book, Detective Beans: Adventures in Cat Town, there’s a panel where Beans gives out his business card and the phone number on the card (2021-02-14) is actually the date I posted my first ever Detective Beans comic on the internet!
What makes Beans and Biscuits such a good team?
Oooh that’s a good question. I think their personalities complement each other really well. Beans is more impulsive and a bit brave, Biscuits is more organised and reserved. But they’re both curious and silly kitties. Together they’re an unstoppable case-solving team!
What was the inspiration behind Captain Scuttlebeard?
This is going to sound weird but I kinda based him on what I’d be like as a pirate! There’s a bit in the book where Captain Scuttlebeard complains about how bothersome it is to actually go and acquire treasure – you have to pack up your ship, sail to the middle of nowhere, then dig up all that sand and it gets everywhere, etc. – that is totally how I would feel about it too. What a hassle. (I also feel very similar about camping. Ugh, bugs!)
What do you hope readers take away from Beans’ big adventure?
I hope they feel like they’ve gone on a exciting adventure with Beans and Biscuits too! I want readers to leave with a greater sense of curiosity about their surroundings and to open their minds to more fun and whimsy. There’s always interesting things happening around us and often in places you least expect, you just have to open your eyes and look!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Li Chen was born in Beijing, China, and moved to New Zealand when she was five (with her parents, not as a solo child explorer, I don’t think that’s allowed). She’s always loved drawing and has been working as a full-time comic artist since 2012. Detective Beans and the Case of the Missing Hat is her first graphic novel. When she’s not drawing, Li likes to hang out with her cats or go on really long walks. Oh, and she drinks a LOT of tea.
Read a QBD interview with Li Chen here.
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