It was exactly 10:31 PM. Cedric leaned back in his leather chair, slouched his shoulders, lifted the remote off the tea table, and switched on the radio. The cold wind swirled through the lively city as snowflakes danced and piled up on the Manhattan streets below.
Cedric, now in his early 40s, had a routine that was as eccentric as the man himself. Every morning, he morphed from his dark green speckled pajamas into his trademark outfit: a peanut-butter-coloured trench coat, ………….. but kept the haircut.
Though New York’s finest detective, Cedric wasn’t well-liked. His bluntness and general disregard for social norms often rubbed people the wrong way. But no one could deny his brilliance—or his addiction to crepes and cheap cigars.
New York City itself was a cacophony of chaos. If you can imagine a flock of macaws barking in your face all day long, you’d get close to the city’s soundtrack. The streets were strewn with litter, both human and animal in origin ……………… and Cedric.
His office, tucked into a back corner of the Midtown Police Department, was small and stale. There was just enough space for four humans (or three humans and one very large ego). A low tea table separated two mismatched chairs: a plain wooden one for clients and a luxury swivel throne for the sleuth himself.
Cedric's cases were usually short and simple, but that night felt different. Something strange lingered in the air—he could feel it in his moustache.
Click here to purchase the full story!
The man slipped on a marshmallow and fell headfirst into a vat of caramel.
The boy was safe. The criminal? Sticky. And Cedric?
Well, he lit a cigar and said:
“All in a night’s work.”
Reading Comprehension Exercises
1. Who is Cedric, and how is he described in the beginning of the story?
Describe his appearance, habits, and personality using examples from the text.
2. What makes Cedric different from other detectives in New York?
Provide two details that show how he stands out.
3. What clues did Cedric and Dave find that led them to the candy factory?
→ List at least three key clues and explain their importance.
4. What role does humour play in this detective story?
→ Identify one funny or exaggerated moment. What effect does it have?
5. How does Cedric respond to the case emotionally or professionally?
→ Use a quote to support your answer.
Creative & Critical Essay Prompts
1. “All in a night’s work.” — What makes Cedric both an effective and entertaining detective?
Write a short analytical essay (2–3 paragraphs) exploring Cedric’s methods, flaws, and personality traits using evidence from the story.
2. Reimagine the story from the boy’s perspective.
What did he see? How did he feel when he was taken? What was it like when Cedric found him?
3. Create a missing poster for the boy based on clues in the story.
Include name, last seen location, details of his clothing, and how someone might help.
4. Write the next case in the Cedric series.
Use the same quirky tone and style. Bonus: include an unusual clue or funny twist.
Discussion Starters: Theme, Tone, Voice, and Perspective
Theme:
What themes can we find in this story? (e.g., justice, perception vs. reality, appearances, odd heroes)
How does the setting (New York) reflect or exaggerate these themes?
Tone:
What tone is established from the very beginning?
How does humour mix with suspense in this story?
Voice:
The narrator uses vivid, exaggerated imagery. Why?
How would this story feel different if told from Dave’s point of view? Or the boy’s?
Perspective:
Do you trust Cedric’s judgment?
What do we learn from the interaction with the old lady in pink pajamas?
How does Cedric’s style contrast with traditional portrayals of detectives in fiction?