"Beastly Detective:
The Mango Gods" by Anna Starobinets, summary

This book is the fifth installment in the popular animal detective series, created in 2019. The plot completely transports the characters from their familiar forest setting to the scorching African savannah, where completely different social rules and hierarchies operate. Shortly after publication, the work won the Korneichuk Prize for children’s fiction.

Deferred pension and urgent order

The story begins in the Far Forest. The seasoned detective Badger Senior, head of the local police force, is preparing to retire. He dreams of spending his days on the terrace of his home, enjoying the peace and quiet in the company of his adopted son, Badgercat, and his assistant, Barbara. However, fate has other plans: an urgent dispatch arrives from the super-leader of the Union of Mixed Forests, Superbat. Badger Senior is categorically denied retirement. Instead of a long-awaited vacation, he and his team receive orders to immediately leave for the Far Sparse Forest — the local equivalent of the African savannah.

A horrific crime has occurred in the Sparse Forest. A newborn cub named Rafik has been kidnapped from the clan of Exquisite Giraffes. The local police, led by the ambitious Griffon Griffon Vulture, are stumped and unable to find the thief. Badger Senior, Badgercat, and Barbara board a massive griffon plane and depart on a mission.

Arrival and first difficulties

The flight is not without its problems: navigation fails, and the passengers experience numerous inconveniences. Once there, the heroes encounter a harsh climate and unfamiliar customs. The scorching sun, abundant sand, and complete absence of the familiar forest comforts immediately make their presence felt. The local police give the capital’s detectives a rather cold reception. Griffon Griffon Vulture makes no secret of his displeasure at the presence of strangers and tries his best to maintain control of the investigation.

An investigation of the crime scene yields the first clues. Rafik disappeared from his cradle while his mother, a Refined Giraffe, was briefly distracted. Badgercat, using his natural feline agility and intuition, finds the unnoticeable clues. The detectives quickly realize that society in the Far Forest is deeply divided. Refined Giraffes form an elite caste that treats other savannah dwellers with disdain. Such arrogance breeds enemies and envious people. The motive for the abduction could be many.

Expanding the circle of suspects

The primary suspect is a pack of hyenas, known for their long-standing feud with the giraffes. However, during interrogation, it becomes clear that the hyenas have an airtight alibi. The detectives then turn their attention to the baboons. The pack leader is acting extremely nervous and faltering in his testimony. Badgercat decides to act covertly: he infiltrates the apes’ protected territory and finds a crucial clue. As it turns out later, the baboons merely accidentally picked up Rafik’s lost pacifier and had nothing to do with the kidnapping itself.

As the investigation progresses, the detectives encounter local beliefs. The savannah’s inhabitants worship the ancient Mango Gods, believed to control rain and bring life to the arid land. A local shaman confidently declares that the giraffe’s disappearance is a divine punishment visited upon the Long Ones, as giraffes are known locally, for their excessive pride. Badger Senior, a pragmatist, distrusts mysticism. He gets to the root of the conflict: the giraffes have monopolized access to a sacred mango grove, depriving other herbivores of the sweet fruit.

Political intrigues and dangers

Soon, the investigation leads the heroes to activists — beasts "with bright faces" — demanding social justice and equality. Badger Senior begins to suspect that the kidnapping is politically motivated. He studies the financial flows through the local Zverbank and discovers suspicious connections.

While Badger Senior analyzes the facts, Barbara actively helps out in the field, using her feral ingenuity. Meanwhile, Badgercat pines for his beloved Karalina, who remains in the Far Forest. He regularly sends her messages via the qua-count — a kind of local postal service powered by messenger frogs.

The investigation is complicated by constant clashes with Griffongriff Vulture, who persistently hinders the visiting detectives. But Badger Senior is adamant. Shocking details are revealed: the giraffe mother was concealing information that could ruin her reputation. Her status in the Exquisite caste is threatened by secret connections.

Climax and salvation

The trail leads Badgercat into dangerous underground labyrinths. Risking his life, he finds the kidnappers’ lair. During one of his forays, tragedy strikes: Barbara is bitten by a deadly venomous snake, a quabbra. The badger’s life hangs in the balance. In a semi-delirious state, Barbara dreams of speaking with the God Mango himself. The deity asks her for her deepest wish. She asks not for her own healing, but for rain for the thirsty savannah.

Meanwhile, Badger Senior and Badgercat join forces with local forces and storm the lair. It turns out Rafik has been kidnapped by a radical group seeking to blackmail the Exquisite Giraffes into opening the mango grove to all animals. The criminals are captured. The little giraffe is returned safe and sound to his mother.

At that very moment, the sky above the sleigh darkens. The long-awaited torrential rain begins. Barbara’s dream mystically comes true.

Completion of the case

Local doctors manage to administer the antidote to Barbara, saving her life. The exquisite giraffes, shocked by what happened, admit their mistakes. They agree to compromise, change the harsh rules, and allow the other animals to visit the mango grove. Tensions in the Far Forest subside.

The detectives from the Far Woods triumphantly complete their mission. Badger Senior, Badgercat, and a recovering Barbara prepare to go home. In the final scene, Badgercat sits in the Knothole Bar. He takes a frog from the qua-count, spends a long time choosing the right words for Caroline, and finally pronounces loudly, "I’m fine." He understands that a true detective shouldn’t complain about difficulties, even when far from home.