Inspector Fernwhistle's Whiskerville Header

Inspector Fernwhistle's Whiskerville

A Victorian Mystery Universe

Whiskerville Village Square

Nestled amongst rolling emerald hills and hushed whispering woods lies Whiskerville, the heart and hearth of every Inspector Cornelius Fernwhistle adventure. As the golden glow of gas lamps flickers along winding cobblestone lanes, one cannot help but feel the gentle pulse of a village where every brick and blossom holds a secret longing to be uncovered.

Explore the World of Inspector Fernwhistle

Welcome to the Whimsical World of Inspector Fernwhistle

+

Step into the enchanting and intricately detailed world of Inspector Fernwhistle, a distinguished Victorian detective, and his indispensable mouse assistant, Pip, as they unravel compelling mysteries in the charming anthropomorphic animal village of Whiskerville and far beyond its cobbled streets. This unique adult colouring book series invites you to immerse yourself in a rich tapestry of captivating characters, meticulously designed locations, and heartwarming, community-focused seasonal mysteries. Our publications are perfect for both avid cozy mystery readers and dedicated adult colouring enthusiasts.

Village Investigation Scene Seasons of Whiskerville

About the Series

The Inspector Fernwhistle series presents lighthearted, comedic murder mysteries where amateur sleuths bring hidden secrets to light within a cozy, community-focused setting. Our vibrant world masterfully blends classic Victorian and Edwardian architectural elements and social customs with a unique anthropomorphic animal society. Each book offers a fresh adventure, frequently weaving in educational content and promoting deeper understanding through the thoughtful resolution of conflicts. The entire series comprises fifteen books, providing a consistent and expansive narrative experience for readers and colourists alike.

The Dynamic Duo: Inspector Fernwhistle & Pip

+
Inspector Fernwhistle and Pip

Inspector Cornelius Fernwhistle (Fox)

At the very heart of every intriguing mystery lies the brilliant detective, Inspector Cornelius Fernwhistle, a clever fox renowned for his dignified and professional bearing. He is always impeccably dressed in a well-tailored coat and his iconic deerstalker hat. Always adorned in his signature deerstalker hat worn at a jaunty angle and wielding a magnifying glass, he approaches every mystery with methodical precision.

Character Development Through the Series:

  • Books 1–2: Establishing his reputation and technique in Whiskerville's spring and musical mysteries.
  • Books 3–4: Delving into family bonds and personal history through The Mother's Day Mystery and The Father's Day Adventure.
  • Books 5–6: Expanding his worldview with cultural explorations in Larkspur Hollow and Liberty Cove.
  • Books 7–8: Navigating institutional respect, scientific intrigue, and community dynamics in the Museum and Orchard mysteries.

Along the way he learns empathy, honours diverse traditions, and embraces unexpected expertise. Though occasionally credited as "Inspector Archibald Fernwhistle" in standalone tales like The Grand Championship, Cornelius remains at the series' heart.

Pip the Mouse

By his side is his indispensable mouse assistant, Pip, who, despite his proportionally small stature, remains perpetually engaged and alert. Pip meticulously notes every detail in his tiny notebook, offering a unique and invaluable perspective. Indeed, Pip's keen observation skills have even led him to become an unofficial consultant to the Inspector, proving his worth repeatedly.

Pip aids investigations by examining pawprints, identifying crystalline patterns, and making crucial observations, sometimes even from a distance using miniature binoculars. He has also demonstrated incredible bravery and resourcefulness, such as saving the theatrical diva Seraphina in "The Phantom of the Footlights" by jamming a wrench into complex machinery to halt a falling platform, proving that "even the smallest of creatures can make the biggest of differences".

Pip's Character Arc:

  • Early Books: An inquisitive apprentice mastering observation and annotation.
  • Middle Books: A confident partner whose fine-scale insights—pawprint analysis, microscopic latch fixes—prove indispensable.
  • Later Titles: An experienced investigator with expertise in hidden passages and mechanical minutiae.

Proportionally small but strikingly visible, Pip's spirited spirit and precise notes have saved the day numerous times: from discovering a clock-tower hatch in The Case of the Midnight Tea to placing a microscopic retaining pin in The Starlight Symphony of Invention.

The Fernwhistle Family Circle

The Fernwhistle Family Tree

Mrs. Vivian Fernwhistle (Fox)

A renowned retired detective and Inspector's mentor. Silver-tipped fur, discerning gaze, and a detective's brooch define her dignified presence. She solved cases such as The Midnight Jewel Mystery and The Case of the Vanishing Mayor. In The Mother's Day Mystery, she passes her vintage magnifying glass to her son, symbolising his rite of passage. The Fernwhistle family lineage is steeped in detective work and academic pursuit. She is a formidable retired detective who personally mentored him from childhood.

Professor Reginald Fernwhistle (Fox)

Inspector's distinguished archaeologist father, explorer of fox-glyph ruins and remote temples. Silver-streaked russet fur, explorer's hat, and a confident scholarly air. Their shared discoveries in The Father's Day Adventure underscore a deepening father–son bond. He is a respected archaeologist whose expeditions to hidden ruins, mountain passes, and ancient temples often provide unique insights into ancient mysteries.

Police Chief Reginald Fernwhistle (Fox)

The Inspector's American cousin, a poised lawman in Liberty Cove, Massachusetts. Silver-furred and buttoned in uniform, he upholds civic order and teams with Cornelius in The Fourth of July Mystery. The family network extends to his American cousin, who assists in the "Fourth of July Mystery" in Liberty Cove, Massachusetts.

Ernest Fernwhistle

The pioneering forebear who founded the Detective Agency in 1882, his legacy forging the series' investigative tradition.

Henry Fernwhistle

Family innovator who introduced fingerprint analysis in the 1890s, forever altering Whiskerville's approach to crime solving.

Whiskerville: The Heart of Inspector Fernwhistle's Mysteries

+

Nestled amidst undulating meadows and dappled woodlands, Whiskerville is the quintessential Victorian village: a place where chiming clock towers greet dawn, and lantern-lit evenings cradle the hushed hush of unsung mysteries. Its snug cottages, bedecked with climbing ivy and scarlet roses, perch along honey-hued lanes. Quaint shops, their windows crowned with lace-curtained displays, beckon visitors to linger and discover hidden treasures.

Map of the Whiskerville Region
"Here, anthropomorphic denizens — fox, rabbit, beaver and hedgehog alike — weave their days in harmony, forging bonds over steaming teacups and shared riddles."

In this "cozy, lived-in community," tradition and innovation waltz in step: a master tailor in Threadneedle Hall refines age‑old stitches beside an inventor's whirring contraptions, while children chase fireflies beneath the stately clock tower that keeps its solemn vigil over Village Square.

Beneath the surface, too, Whiskerville hums with wonder. The Mole Sisters' labyrinthine tunnels — lanterns dancing along vaulted arches — bear silent witness to clandestine gatherings and subterranean clues. Above, Mrs Hedgehog's glasshouse glows like a jewel, its copper quatrefoils framing exotic blooms whose scented petals guide the curious toward botanical enigmas.

At the village's edge stands the Inspector's own cottage: a snug haven of leather-bound journals, brass magnifiers and half‑solved puzzles pinned to a well-worn corkboard. From here, Inspector Fernwhistle and his diminutive partner Pip launch every new case, setting forth into the mist-laced dawn in pursuit of truth.

In Whiskerville, secrets hide in plain sight and mysteries lurk around every corner — awaiting the keen eye and gentle heart of those who dare to look. And it is here, among gaslit lanes and ivy-clad walls, that every tale begins.

Unveiling Our World: Key Locations

+

Our engaging mysteries unfold across a variety of meticulously detailed settings, each brought to life through stunning illustrations with bold black outlines and intricate details, perfect for advanced adult colouring.

Core Infrastructure & Public Spaces

Inspector's Cottage

Located on the village outskirts, this cosy, lived‑in cottage features a well‑worn study filled with detective equipment—magnifying glasses, notebooks, specimen jars, and the occasional half‑solved puzzle pinned to the corkboard.

Mrs Hedgehog's Greenhouse & Botanical Garden

A grand Victorian‑style glasshouse with gleaming copper fittings and stained‑glass panels. Inside, rows of rare potted plants—Royal Purple Violets, Moonlit Orchids, and Spiral Ferns—flourish alongside a labyrinthine maze of hedges. Central to The Vanishing Violets, this greenhouse hides secret alcoves where botanical clues and hidden chamomile sachets unlock subterranean passages.

Mole Sisters' Tunnel Network

An architectural marvel burrowed beneath Whiskerville: branching tunnels, vaulted chambers, and lantern‑lit halls mapped meticulously by Mabel, Matilda, and Millie Mole. These passages are crucial in The Vanishing Violets and The Mother's Day Mystery, revealing hidden rooms, secret caches of heirloom seeds, and a memory chamber preserving mementos of Mrs Vivian Fernwhistle's detective career.

Village Green with Gazebo

Expansive lawns dotted with flower borders and framed by wrought‑iron benches. The central gazebo hosts seasonal festivals: tulip auctions in spring, summer concerts, the Harvest Festival, and the Midsummer Fair—each event woven into a mystery.

Clock Tower

A soaring stone edifice standing over Village Square. Its four faces mark the hours in Roman numerals, and its interior houses an intricate gear assembly. The abandoned teacup clue in The Case of the Midnight Tea was found on its winding staircase, leading Pip to discover a hidden observation hatch.

Village Square

Cobblestone plaza encircling the clock tower, flanked by shops, cafés, and market stalls. The Inspector often sets up impromptu stakeouts here, interviewing townsfolk as festival banners flutter overhead.

Key Businesses & Institutions

Bartholomew Baker's Bakery

On the sunlit main street, Bartholomew Baker's Bakery stands proud as a timber-framed haven of warmth and the sweet scent of freshly risen dough. Inside, polished wooden counters display sugar-dusted buns, honey-glazed loaves and Mrs Badger's lavender-infused pies. Bartholomew himself—pink-cheeked and earnest—greets each customer from behind a flour-dusted apron. This bakery's ovens bore witness to the Midnight Tea paw-print clue and cradled the fateful lavender pie central to The Mother's Day Mystery.

Whiskerville Museum of Natural History

Majestic Corinthian columns flank a marble atrium where the legendary Whisker Stone glints beneath gaslit bulbs. Taxidermied foxes and holographic insects share gallery space with the intricate clockwork of the "Starlight Symphony," installed for the centennial celebration. When the Stone vanished, replaced by an uncanny replica, Inspector Fernwhistle followed hidden passageways within these hallowed halls to unravel The Museum Mystery.

The Curious Tome Bookshop

Beneath a sloping Tudor roof, heavy oak shelves brim with gilded spines and leather-bound tomes. The scent of aged paper mingles with sweet ink, and at twilight the shelves rearrange themselves in whimsical patterns—an ever-shifting puzzle known as "literary consciousness." Locals whisper that only those pure of heart can coax wisdom from these animated volumes.

Threadneedle Hall

A soaring edifice of stained glass and carved oak, Threadneedle Hall is the crowned jewel of Whiskerville's textile arts. Tapestries depict heroic seamstresses and shimmering silks, while the echo of scissors and steam irons resonates through its vaulted chambers. Each spring, the Grand Championship crowns the finest tailor. Yet beneath the surface glamour, Inspector Fernwhistle and the Seams of Deceit unveiled a web of envy when the Golden Shears vanished into the night.

Grand Theatre of Whiskerville

Crimson curtains part onto polished stageboards, and gas jets gleam along ornate proscenium arches. Beneath the footlights lies a labyrinth of trapdoors and tension lines. When Seraphina Silas faced mortal peril under sabotaged stage machinery, Pip's swift intervention and Fernwhistle's intellect saved the premiere in The Phantom of the Footlights.

Whiskerville Library

Arched windows bathe velvet-reading chairs in pale morning light. Scrolls and codices line every alcove, and in The Case of the Midnight Tea, a abandoned porcelain teacup and a cryptic leather notebook appeared on a solitary table, guiding the Inspector through hidden corridors to the clock tower's secret hatch.

Locations Beyond Whiskerville: Expanding Horizons

The series frequently ventures beyond Whiskerville, introducing diverse cultural settings and professional networks that enrich the narrative.

Enchanting Villages & Coastal Towns

Larkspur Hollow

Tucked into a northern vale of wind-swept pines and wildflower meadows, Larkspur Hollow exudes the gentle hush of Midsummer's eve. Timber-framed cottages, adorned with carved runes and garlands of may blossoms, cluster around a moss-kissed forest chapel. Each Midsummer Fair, lantern-lit stalls spring to life beneath twilit skies, until the Inspector's discovery of a plaited wreath transformed into a magpie's feathered art installation in The Midsummer Mystery revealed that enchantment often walks hand-in-wing with mischief.

Liberty Cove, Massachusetts

Where sapphire sails kiss the harbour's edge and red-brick warehouses echo with seagulls' cries, Liberty Cove stands proud as a bastion of early American pride. Patriotic bunting drapes cobblestone streets on Independence Day, leading to the hallowed halls of the Liberty Cove Historical Museum. Within its hushed galleries rests the Liberty Bell Lantern—its crystalline core the key to The Fourth of July Mystery. Nearby, the granite-clad Redtail Family Mausoleum guards the secret blueprints of the Everlight compound, its ivy-bound walls whispering of long-buried innovations.

Applecrest Orchard

At the edge of rolling fields stands a venerable stone farmhouse, its wraparound porch shaded by gnarled Sunset Gold apple trees. Down moss-lined paths, the thrum of the historic cider mill's overshot wheel carries through the dawn mist. Each autumn, festival banners flutter above jam-tasting pavilions and barn dances until underground chambers—where ancestral barrels rest and ancient grafting nurseries bloom—revealed hidden fungal networks in The Harvest Haunt Mystery. Thaddeus Raccoon's watchman's cabin keeps vigil over tunnels etched like silver threads, leading to a candlelit ceremonial chamber.

Tidepoint Harbor, Cornwall

Jagged cliffs rise like sentinels above brine-kissed cottages, their windows flickering with lantern light. Atop a weathered promontory stands Tidepoint Lighthouse, its prismatic lens once thought to trap ocean storms. Below, the Shipwreck Museum—curated by the ingenious Professor Octavius—houses barnacle-encrusted figureheads and whispering conch shells. Tide pools and the "Singing Cave" hum with ancient nautical hymns, guiding Fernwhistle to recalibrate a forgotten tidal mechanism in The Lighthouse Enigma.

Port Kernow

A coastal tapestry of slate-roofed inns and hidden coves, Port Kernow's smuggling tunnels twist beneath cobblestone lanes. The Pilchard Inn's boisterous hearth warmed many a clandestine meeting, while the Tin Mine Museum preserves echoes of underground forges. Clifftop Tea Garden cups the sea breeze, inviting quiet reflection—though beneath its rosemary hedges, the Inspector uncovered The Smuggler's Moon Mystery's secret code carved into tide-polished stones.

Port Blossom

Where fog drifts like silver lace over weatherworn quays, Port Blossom's salt-sprayed lanes lead to Tavia Otter's antiquarian emporium. A cryptic map slipped between carved ebony crates set in motion the hunt for Captain Blueheart's lost hoard in The Sunken Treasure. Mist-bound islets guard forgotten shipwrecks; whispering caves echo with hidden melodies; and a secluded beach of spiralled shells sings when waves retreat. Across dark forest paths and mountain passes, lantern-lit tunnels and a hidden waterfall pointed the way to the Heart of the Mountain—where pirate legend met its final revelation.

A Cast of Memorable Characters

+

The Inspector Fernwhistle universe is richly populated by a delightful and diverse array of anthropomorphic characters, each adding depth and charm to every meticulously crafted mystery.

Whiskerville Residents & Recurring Contacts

Mrs. Heather Hedgehog
(Hedgehog)

A dedicated botanical expert and greenhouse owner, Mrs. Hedgehog is vital for Spring Festival events and assists in creating clues for the "Mother's Day Mystery". She is also featured prominently in "The Vanishing Violets".

The Mole Sisters (Mabel, Matilda, Millie)
(Moles)

These experts in plant pathology and underground infrastructure frequently provide unique and crucial insights. They reveal their mapped tunnel network and a memory chamber in "Mother's Day Mystery," which holds mementos from Mrs. Vivian Fernwhistle's detective career.

Mayor Oldwick Owl
(Owl)

The diligent and authoritative Mayor of Whiskerville. He calls emergency meetings for town events and plays a role in various village-wide mysteries.

Dr. Owlson
(Owl)

The academic museum director, serving as a key contact for scientific inquiries at the Whiskerville Museum of Natural History. He invites Inspector Fernwhistle to review museum security for its centennial celebration.

Rupert Raccoon
(Raccoon)

Initially the museum janitor, he is secretly a brilliant scientist who created a replica of the Whisker Stone to protect visitors from the radioactive original. He later becomes the museum's respected research director, showcasing themes of hidden genius and institutional recognition.

Miss Penelope Pagewhistle
(Owl)

The elderly and deeply literary owner of "The Curious Tome" bookshop, whose profound connection to literature enables its unique "literary consciousness" phenomenon where books mysteriously rearrange themselves.

Sergeant Burroughs
(Rabbit)

A portly rabbit constable who consistently assists Inspector Fernwhistle in local investigations, notably distraught over the vanishing Victoria Sponge in "The Golden Whisk".

Seraphina
(Swan)

The theatrical diva whose performance is threatened in "The Phantom of the Footlights," requiring Pip's heroic intervention.

Mrs. Badger
(Badger)

Owner of the Bramblewood Tea Rooms, a traditional baker whose Victoria Sponge vanishes, sparking "The Golden Whisk" mystery. She ultimately wins the Golden Whisk and champions the preservation of culinary heritage against industrialization.

Characters from Other Locations

Professor Octavius
(Octopus)

A brilliant inventor and museum curator from Tidepoint Harbor who assists in "The Lighthouse Enigma" by adjusting crystal arrays in the lighthouse lantern room.

Victoria Redtail
(Fox)

A returning resident of Liberty Cove who evolves from an initial antagonist, seeking her family's proprietary formulas, into a scientific ally in "The Fourth of July Mystery." She, along with Professor Bartholomew Beaver, forms a new research foundation to develop peaceful applications for their scientific discoveries.

Hazel Applecrest
(Squirrel)

Elmer's granddaughter in "The Harvest Haunt Mystery," who secretly champions traditional cider-making using ancestral recipes found in an underground chamber, becoming the orchard's future steward and resolving its financial problems.

Octavia 'Tavia' Otter
(Otter)

The clever and resourceful owner of the antique shop in Port Blossom, who introduces Inspector Fernwhistle and Pip to a new mystery after their "Sunken Treasure" adventure.

Reginald Foxworth
(Fox)

The Master Tailor at Threadneedle Hall, whose Golden Shears and revolutionary suit pattern are stolen in the "Savile Row Mystery." His financial desperation is a key plot point, and he eventually agrees to fund guild scholarships as part of his reconciliation.

Elder Bjornson
(Bear)

An imposing bear and the tradition keeper in Larkspur Hollow, who helps resolve the "Midsummer Mystery" by embracing artistic innovation within traditional ceremonies.

The Art of the Cozy Mystery Colouring Book

+

Our books are meticulously designed specifically for adult colouring, adhering to strict visual guidelines to ensure a premium, immersive, and satisfying creative experience.

Table with Investigation Details

Essential Technical Specifications

All illustrations are rendered in a bold black outline style with no shading or grey tones, purely clean black line art on a white background. This ensures optimal results for coloured pencils, markers, or gel pens. The page format is a consistent 1:1 square ratio.

Artistic Quality

We pride ourselves on the intricate details captured within each illustration, from nuanced facial expressions and textures of clothing, fur, and feathers, to elaborate architectural elements, finely crafted furniture, and lush plant life. Scene compositions are thoughtfully balanced, offering both highly detailed areas and simpler expanses.

Series Consistency

Inspector Fernwhistle's dignified bearing and Pip's tiny, yet always engaged and observant presence, are consistently portrayed across all books, creating a recognizable and beloved duo. Crucial mystery elements such as magnifying glasses and subtle clues are seamlessly and artistically integrated into the illustrations.

Immersive Storytelling

Each book offers a "gentle story that unfolds as you colour", making it a truly "story-driven" experience from cover to cover with no random filler pages. With 30 to 40 beautifully detailed illustrations accompanying a complete narrative, these books offer "hours of immersive, stress-relieving creative enjoyment".

"You'll love this concept where you read a short chapter in the story and then bring the illustrations to life yourself with markers and colored pencils. What fun and what an enjoyable story too!"