Key Selling Points: This is the sixth book in Michael Hutchinson's Mighty Muskrat Mystery Series. These middle grade mysteries are consistently some of Second Story Press' most popular books. Over 53,000 copies of the series have been sold in North America. Portrays Indigenous experiences through an Indigenous perspective. Michael Hutchinson is Cree, and the Muskrats and their community are inspired by Hutchinson's own Cree community in Manitoba. The Case of the Movie Mayhem takes The Mighty Muskrats to a film set, an exciting development for the community. They attempt to solve the mystery around a missing genny truck while working as caterers for the actors and crew. Michael Hutchinson took inspiration for this mystery from his own experience working in catering for rock concerts and movie shoots.
The story directly deals with Indigenous representation in media and models Indigenous creators and communities taking control. Michael Hutchinson has years of media experience, hosting APTN National News for seven years as well as co-hosting CTV Morning Live Winnipeg. The Mighty Muskrats Mysteries have won or been finalists for several awards, including the High Plains International Book Award, the Forest of Reading Silver Birch Award, the Manitoba Book Award, the Indigenous Voices Award, and more. The series has been praised widely by the Globe & Mail, Kirkus, School Library Journal, Quill & Quire, American Indians in Children's Literature, Anishinabek News, and more for being an excellent representation of a happy and successful Indigenous community with strong family relations and cultural practices. Michael Hutchinson helped create the "We are all treaty people" campaign as a communications officer for the Assembly of First Nations and is currently the Communications Manager at the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre.