: Look for translations of Ivan Kušan's work, which are often cited for their unique blend of humor and suspense.

The story follows and his band of friends as they enjoy a sun-soaked break near a picturesque lake. The peace is shattered when a string of high-stakes burglaries begins to plague the countryside. Under the cover of night, thieves break into local homes, stealing anything of value. The Twist: Taking Justice Into Their Own Hands

: The children's bravery stands in stark contrast to the dismissive attitude of the adults.

At its heart, the mystery is a "prequel" to a larger saga. While Kušan wrote it later in his career, it chronologically serves as the first adventure of the beloved character . It captures that universal feeling of a summer that changes you forever—where the stakes feel like life or death, and the "magic" of the countryside is tempered by the reality of the adult world. How to Watch or Read If you want to dive into the mystery yourself: