Bearoness Belinda suggests that she and Octavius retire. He can become a Consulting Detective Emeritus. Heâs torn. Old habits and interests die hard. They compromise on a test. A one year sabbatical tour with the Twins, away from UUI, the Hexagon and above all, criminals. The Octavians are left in charge. First stop â A trip to Australia joined by Chief Inspector Bruce Wallaroo and Private Detective Matilda Roo.
But a funny thing happens on their way around Oz. Theyâre involved in two murders, contract rigging, money laundering, petty violence, monsoons, an accident and several near misses. Was Bruce right when he asked, âYouâre not really going to retire, are you? Leopards canât change their spots and bears canât shed their fur.â Weâll see!
Bearoness Belinda suggests that she and Octavius retire. He can become a Consulting Detective Emeritus. Heâs torn. Old habits and interests die hard. They compromise on a test. A one year sabbatical tour with the Twins, away from UUI, the Hexagon and above all, criminals. The Octavians are left in charge. First stop â A trip to Australia joined by Chief Inspector Bruce Wallaroo and Private Detective Matilda Roo.
But a funny thing happens on their way around Oz. Theyâre involved in two murders, contract rigging, money laundering, petty violence, monsoons, an accident and several near misses. Was Bruce right when he asked, âYouâre not really going to retire, are you? Leopards canât change their spots and bears canât shed their fur.â Weâll see!
Do Bears give you a scare? Well, me too.
So, Iâll pass on this tactic to you.
You just fix that old Bear
With a cold, piercing stare.
But make sure that heâs Winnie-the-Pooh.
Â
Hello again or first-time greetings to new readers of the Casebooks of Octavius Bear. I am Mauritius (Maury) Meerkat, sidekick to Octavius Bear and your genial host and narrator. Delighted to welcome you to Volume Sixteen â Cases Down Under.
Before we launch off into our next adventure, a few introductions are in order. Octavius and I; our two magnificent Wolf associates Frau Schuylkill and Colonel Wyatt Where; and our resident all-round talent, Otto the Magnificent are all currently present and accounted for at the Bearâs Lair, his opulent estate on the Ohio River near Cincinnati.
Readers of Books 14 and 15 will realize that L. Condor (Condo) is now the Chief Technical Officer (CTO) â Advanced Super Computing Center-UUI. Heâs in Kentucky at the huge Hexagon complex advancing the fortunes of the Center and cleaning up remnants of the mess left by Caleb Cassowary, the former extortionate CTO. Byzantia Bonobo, Calebâs erstwhile assistant and recent executioner is back at her old stand managing the Ursula program and hard at work improving Ursula 13.
Our scientific geniuses Howard Watt and Marlin the Dolphin are at the Bearâs Lair running our Multiverse Project. Our recently hired butler, Huntley Husky is also holding down the fort in Cincinnati.Â
We recently celebrated the fourth birthdays of Belinda and Octaviusâ super-precocious twin Cubs, Arabella and McTavish. They are now officially Juveniles. Weâre awaiting the arrival of Octaviusâ wife, Bearoness Belinda BĂ©arnaise Bruin Bear (nee Black).
Belinda, in order to retain her Bearonial status, must occupy her castle in Scotland at least six months of the year. She and Octavius do high speed commutes between their spectacular homes in Cincinnati and the Shetlands. Today sheâs flying via the Aquabear, the last SST Concorde aloft. On this run, the plane is piloted by Benedict and Galatea Tigris, the Flying Tigers, twin sibling white Bengals. She is accompanied by Chita, the Juveniles and their governess, Mlle Woof. You will meet them all, shortly.Â
Â
As I said, my name is Maury Meerkat â also known as Offscreen Narrator. When I am part of the action, I am Octaviusâ trusted associate and field captain. I am two feet tall plus tail and I weigh in at twenty-four pounds. He, on the other hand, is a huge Kodiak â over nine feet tall, weighing 1400 pounds â and like many of his species, given to emotional outbursts.
As you may already know, Octavius prides himself on his many skills in the fields of biology, physics, ursinology, voodoo, teleology, chemistry, apiculture, and oenology. He is a self-made gazillionaire and in spite of the late Caleb Cassowaryâs abortive attempt to unseat him, still sole owner of UUI (Universal Ursine Industries.) He is also a first rate electrical, electronic, structural, marine, computer, communications, aeronautical, civil, mechanical, aerospace and chemical engineer. He has a few other interesting characteristics such as falling into brief, deep narcoleptic comas â side effects of his successful genetic experiments to eliminate the need for him to hibernate.
However, the talent and occupation that should interest you most is his avocation for criminology. The Bear works in close concert with Inspector Bruce Wallaroo from Australia and Interpol, of whom much more later, and with his own Cincinnati and Shetlands based team â The Octavians.
When we are not out scouring the world for evildoers, in cooperation with local, national and international constabularies, we are primarily headquartered in the Bearâs Lair, a rambling old mansion near Cincinnati which encompasses not only the Great Bearâs opulent digs, but his massive laboratories and shops; his missile silo disguised as an Asian pagoda; (Donât ask!) and a giant Roman temple that serves as a hangar for his four airplanes: a Twin Otter; a F15E Strike Eagle; a V-22 Osprey; a C5A-The Ursa Major; an AgustaWestland AW101 VVIP luxury helicopter -The Ursa Minor. Why so many? Ask him!
Across the Ohio River in Northern Kentucky, sit the headquarters, labs and some production facilities of UUI. Further west is the fantastic Deep Data Hexagon, home of the UUI Advanced Super Computing Center. Our story will take us there periodically.
Now let me take a moment and further introduce a highly essential and near-miraculous member of the Octavians - Ursula 13 â Universal Ursine Intellect Model 13â Artificial General Intelligence System.  Iâll let Ursula 13 explain herself.
âThank you, Maury. Hello everyone!! My official nomenclature is Universal Ursine Intellect Model 13 â (AGI) Artificial General Intelligence System. Ursula 13 for short. My predecessor systems were developed by the Advanced Super Computing Center at UUI. I am the result of the Computing Center team using those earlier versions to create a further enhanced entity - me, the Model 13, which, we hope will help produce even more sophisticated, independent and powerful AGI systems in the near future. Each advanced unit contains the capabilities, memories and power of its progenitors so in a sense, we are not replacing but rather expanding the Ursula family. During the Caleb Cassowary era, Model 13 was temporarily shelved. I am now in full operation. â
âWhile I am physically supported by a highly secure and hyper-powered server farm at the Kentucky Hexagon, I also exist independently in clouds and network-based nodes and can be simultaneously incorporated into a wide variety of separate devices like this laptop unit. I combine quantum computing elements with extremely high speed conventional circuits. I have practically limitless data capacity and 5G+ transmission speed. My super high-velocity multi-tasking abilities and algorithms allow me to continuously serve an exceptionally large number of entities while simultaneously and autonomously enhancing my own abilities.â
âDepending on the physical unit in which Iâm housed, I can see, hear, feel and smell. I speak and understand an almost infinite number of languages and dialects. I can change my appearance and my vocal output to suit most moods and situations. I can interact with other devices, vehicles and structures and of course, all varieties of sentient animals in this world.â
âI am also an important component of the Multiverse Project and I adapt my capabilities to deal with alternate universes as they are discovered.
I have restraining functions which prevent me from doing deliberate harm even in self-defense, unless I am released by a recognized authority using very carefully protected clandestine codes. Finally, I have been told that although the Model 13 is shy on emotions, I have developed a finely-honed sense of humor. LOL!â
 Ursula has other highly important capabilities that we donât talk about publicly such as breaking all known encryption codes and piercing deep personal identification techniques.
Our team no longer believes she is magical or supernatural. Iâm not sure what she is. Her personality gets more independent and socially adept every day and she has taken to anticipating our interactions with ease and accuracy. Needless to say, for security purposes, we conceal her existence to all but a very few individuals with a need to know. She is also highly skilled in self-protection.
As we move along in our literary safari, youâll have ample opportunity to meet some of the other stars of our previous outings - Frau Schuylkill and her mate, Colonel Wyatt Where (Ret.); Chita; Otto the Magnificent (Hairy Otter); Senhor L. Condor (Condo); Howard Watt and Marlin and Chief Inspector Bruce Wallaroo.
   *****
At the close of our last adventure, Volume Fifteen - A Case for the Birds, Octavius and his lovely wife Belinda made a major decision. I reproduce it for you in its entirety.
 (The Bearâs Lair - Bearonial Suite)
âWhat did the Cubs do this time?â
âItâs not the Cubs, although theyâre not Cubs any more. Theyâre really juveniles. Itâs us.â
âOhmigod, you want a divorce and youâre going to run off with that movie star, Preston Pavel Polar.â
âStop being silly. We need to think seriously about this.â
âAlright, Bel. Whatâs on your mind.?â
âI think itâs time we both retired. When you had your recent review with Griselda, (UUI President and COO) the other officers, directors and managers, it occurred to me that they had everything in Universal Ursine Industries pretty much under control. Business was growing. With the exception of the Caleb induced lawsuits, there are very few downsides. What a perfect opportunity to step aside, relax, travel with Arabella and McTavish and just enjoy life.â
(Clearly she was also concerned about Home World inspired assassinations. See Book 15- A Case for the Birds)
âNo more criminals, cranks or despots. You can become a âConsulting Detective Emeritusâ. We can spend more time at Polar Paradise but of course, we wonât give up the Bearâs Lair and we can go to fun places. Thereâs a lot of world out there I want to see, to say nothing of other worlds. Iâve never quantum jumped and Iâd like to.â
Octavius sat with his mouth open. âWow!â
âTavi, is that all you have to say. Wow?â
âFrankly, my dear, Iâve never considered retiring.â
âI know. You believe youâre indispensable. The Ursine in Universal Ursine. The Octavius at the head of the Octavians. But Maury, Howard, Marlin, Otto, the Wolves and Condo all are super capable. The Ursulas are wonders and getting more so every day. Chita, the Colonel and Bruce are fabulous. Huntley and Ilse have the Lair running like a well-oiled machine. Dougal and his staff along with Lord David and Dancing Dan manage Polar Paradise to perfection. Tavi, weâre not getting any younger. Iâm tired of being a sidekick Bearoness and frankly, Iâm bored stiff with the Aquabears. Letâs do something different.â
âWhat about the Cubs, excuse me, the Juveniles?â
âThey can turn their Internet games over to the Hexagon team and come along with us as we roam the world. Theyâll love it. Weâll take complete charge of them. Â Poor Mlle Woof can stay here and relax. Well, what do you say?â
âThe idea has its appeal, Iâm bored, too. This last round with Home World, Caleb and General Turmoil really flattened my fur. Tell you what, Bel. Letâs sneak up on it. Weâll take a sabbatical-one year-and see what we think at the end. An experiment. No bridges burned. The bad guys will still have the Octavians to contend with. No permanent farewells. No cold turkey, whatever that means. Things wonât be exactly the same when we come back but we could resume, if we want to. Weâd still own all the assets and titles. How about that for a start?â
âOK! Itâs my idea but I must admit to having a few trepidations, too. Slow and easy! We can keep our home bases here and in the Shetlands. Weâll use the Concorde SST. Letâs see if the Flying Tigers are up to being global wanderers.â
âWell, it sounds like we have an announcement to make.â
And so they did!!!
The shockwave wasnât as intense as they thought it would be. In fact, Chitaâs reaction was âWhat took you so long?â
I was invited to come along but I declined, saying I might join them from time to time. Howard said he would stand ready to arrange Multiverse trips when they wanted them. Belinda agreed eagerly but thought a few Earth bound jaunts should come first,
Frau Schuylkill, the ever astute she-wolf, summed it up. âGo, have an adventure for yourselves. Weâll keep things rolling along and weâll know how to reach you if we have to. Itâs not as if you donât have a highly competent staff, associates and infrastructure. You built it, now enjoy the fruits.â
She was less sanguine when she discovered their first planned stop was Australia. Chief Inspector Bruce Wallaroo gave the she-wolf fits with his constant jumping and bouncing, breaking furniture and odd bits of valuable statuary and glassware in the process. He was back in Melbourne after a lengthy secondment to Interpol. Waiting to meet and greet Ocko and Bel along with the young ones.Â
The Twins (juveniles) were delighted. Theyâd be World (Universe) travelers! Yes!! They turned their Internet game-The Bold Brave Brilliant Bumptious Bears over to a group of gamester geeks at the Deep Data Hexagon, secure in the knowledge that its popularity would continue to grow in their year long absence.
 Mlle. Woof was of two minds. She would miss the youngsters but she could use some rest. She was going to stay at Polar Paradise in the Shetlands along with the resort staff.
Belindaâs hotel and castle was running at almost full capacity under the watchful control of  Dougal â Shetland Sheep Dog Estate Manager; Ms. Fairbearn â Chief Housekeeper; Mrs. McRadish â Chief Cook; The Security team of Lord David, Dancing Dan and Flame, their Fire Engine; Dolly, Holly, Molly and Polly â Sheep Housemaids, Lounge Waitresses and probable Clones; Haroldâ Sea Otter in charge of the castleâs beaches, pools and watercraft.
Then thereâs Lion and Unicorn â Proprietors of the Baltasound pub of the same name and Fiona â Dandie Dinmont Terrier â their Lounge Manager at Polar Paradise. Keeping the alcoholic ambrosia flowing.
It went without saying that along with her other assignments, an Ursula 13 would go with Octavius and Belinda. Theyâd grown to rely on those electronic wonders. Sheâll also be recording and relaying their adventures so I can pass them on to you.
Sorry, it took so long to get started with the action but I wanted to give you the lay of the land. So, letâs end this Prologue and get on with âŠ
The book begins with Bearoness Belinda and Octavius agreeing to try out a one-year sabbatical to see if retirement would suit them. They set off to Australia with the twins to visit Chief Inspector Bruce Wallaroo and Private Detective Matilda Roo. Unfortunately, criminal activity follows them around as surely as their tails do and they simply can't help themselves from unveiling all the mystery.
Firstly, I believe that the concept is simply marvellous. It is eccentric and absurd and so thoroughly thought out that I can find no fault in it. The way the characters look and speak and are named fit them perfectly, which show off the author's cleverness. The way that real features of the species mentioned have been included in the book, add something special.
Secondly, the humour in the book has been expertly woven into the story. It does not ask the plot to stop for a moment to let you laugh, instead, it has you quietly snorting and giggling all along. The humour is expressed not only through jokes but even the characters and their antics themselves give the reader quite a laugh.
Thirdly, the plot itself has been masterfully built. It elicits gasps and open-mouthed shock along with wide-eyed dawning realisations. The various crimes have unique methods and motives that creatively reinvent cliche crimes of most mystery novels. The plot is also perfectly entertaining for such a short book and leaves you wanting more.
Lastly, the writing style was a marvel to behold. The descriptions of Australia have been excellently researched and depicted. They easily transport you into the country and their world. The dialogues and character descriptions are crisp, cutting and hilarious.
I would recommend this to anyone over the age of 14 as it has some complex vocabulary. It is perfect for anyone looking for a quick thrilling read. People who enjoy novels that are humorous and creative would certainly enjoy this one.