The Rooster Is Dead! A Henhouse Whodunnit

Anders Sparring & Per Gustavsson

“No fox gets out of here alive! I thought I’d made that clear!”

“But I’m innocent!” said Pip.

Franko sighed. “Fine. If you find the killer, I might make an exception.”

“Thank you!” cried Pip.

“I said might!” Franko growled. Then he cocked his head. “I’ve heard you foxes are pretty clever.”

“I’ve heard that too,” said Pip.

After a stormy night, the little fox cub Pip wakes up in the henhouse. Lost in the forest, she had followed the most delicious scent, which led her here. The hens and the rooster Jonny are not happy when they discover a fox in the henhouse, but Beata, who is the highest in rank and has laid eggs her entire life without ever having a chick, is overwhelmed by maternal feelings and decides that Pip should stay. Jonny insists, Pip is really a killing machine. And maybe Jonny is right? Because the next morning, he is found dead on the floor. But is it really Pip who has blood on her paws?

A new world created by the duo behind The Pinchers! A farmyard universe with original characters and sharp humor. Here lives the bonvivant Porker, the dangerous dog Franko, a bunch of hens, and the little fox cub Pip.

 

Awards

Winner of the Crimetime Award 2026 (Sweden)

“Who murdered Johnny the rooster? Could it be little fox cub Bim, with blood on his paws? A cleverly crafted murder mystery where humour and suspense work together perfectly, both in the text and in the wonderful illustrations. Well written, delightfully puzzling, and utterly charming. A book that is just as entertaining to read aloud as it is to listen to.”

Books by Anders Sparring & Per Gustavsson