Imagine two alligator secret agents flushing through sewers on high-stakes missions, cracking cases with gadgets, grit, and groan-worthy puns—welcome to the world of InvestiGators! Created by the brilliant John Patrick Green, this hilarious graphic novel series has hooked millions of young readers with its explosive mix of mystery, action, and toilet humor. If you’re searching for the InvestiGators books in order, you’ve landed in the right spot. Whether you’re a parent stocking up on summer reads, a teacher hunting for classroom gems, or a book enthusiast diving into the InvestiGators series order, this guide has you covered.
The InvestiGators reading order is straightforward: it mirrors the publication order, as the story chronology builds seamlessly from one caper to the next. Each installment layers on character growth for our scaly stars, Mango and Brash, while sprinkling in recurring villains and clever Easter eggs that reward loyal fans. Skipping ahead? You might miss the flush of continuity that makes these adventures so addictive. Stick with us as we plunge into the full lineup of John Patrick Green InvestiGators Series in order, complete with summaries, tips, and more to supercharge your reading experience.
What is the InvestiGators Series About?
The InvestiGators series follows Mango and Brash, elite alligator agents from the super-secret S.U.I.T. (Special Undercover Investigation Team). Armed with Very Exciting Spy Technology (V.E.S.T.s) and a penchant for traveling via toilet portals, these gator gumshoes tackle absurd crimes—from exploding cupcakes to ant invasions—with slapstick flair and punny prose. John Patrick Green’s vibrant illustrations burst with energy, making each page a visual feast of chases, disguises, and chaotic comedy.
Aimed at ages 7-10, these InvestiGators graphic novels are a gateway to graphic novels for reluctant readers, blending fast-paced plots with themes of teamwork, bravery, and problem-solving. Parents love the clean humor (mostly), teachers appreciate the literacy boost, and kids can’t get enough of the Mango and Brash adventures. Since debuting in 2020, the series has sold millions and earned spots on the New York Times bestseller list, proving it’s more than just kid lit—it’s a splashy success.
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InvestiGators Books In Order: The Complete Chronological Guide to John Patrick Green’s Series
Good news for fans: the best order to read InvestiGators is straight publication chronology, with no pesky prequels or time-jumping twists to muddy the waters. Below, we’ve listed all 10 main books (including upcoming ones as of 2026), complete with spoiler-free summaries to tease the thrills without giving away the plot. We’ve included ISBNs where readily available for easy ordering.
1. InvestiGators (2020)
With their Very Exciting Spy Technology and their tried-and-true, toilet-based travel techniques, the InvestiGators are undercover and on the case! And on their first mission together, they have not one but two mysteries to solve! Can Mango and Brash uncover the clues, crack their cases, and corral the crooks—or will the criminals wriggle out of their grasp?
2. Take the Plunge (2020)
S.U.I.T. headquarters is under attack, and Mango and Brash are going undercover and underground disguised as city sewer workers to unclog a sticky situation. But when their search for the criminal Crackerdile backfires, the toilets they travel through back up—and the InvestiGators take the blame for it! Can Mango and Brash restore their good name and put the real culprit behind bars before the whole city is in deep water?
3. Off the Hook (2021)
Sewer-loving secret agents Mango and Brash fight for the GATOR good in this zany adventure that will have readers HOOKED! The InvestiGators are the best crime-fighting duo in the world. But not even their hi-tech training programs can prepare them for the return of their greatest nemesis, Crackerdile, in a shocking new form! Even worse, he’s creating a team of super villains! Faced with the choice between saving themselves or catching the crooks, can Mango and Brash make sure the gator good prevails?
4. Ants in Our P.A.N.T.S. (2021)
With agent Brash trapped in a mysterious coma, the technicians at S.U.I.T. have designed the ultimate replacement: RoboBrash! This high-tech replica has been programmed with all of the original Brash’s crime-fighting skills and knowhow–but it seems he’s got a few bugs in his system! Will Mango and his new partner be enough to stop the giant ants that are on a rampage in the city? Orchestrated by the spaced-out villain, Maestronaut, and Houdino, the dinosaur escape artist, it seems criminals are certainly upping the ANT-y!
5. Braver and Boulder (2022)
The InvestiGators’ latest case has our sewer-loving secret agents between a rock and a hard place in InvestiGators: Braver and Boulder, the latest chapter in the hilarious New York Times bestselling adventure graphic novel series from John Patrick Green. The InvestiGators are having a hard time keeping a low profile with their new headquarters being a giant robot towering over the city! How can they be SECRET agents if everyone recognizes them? But with their ears to the ground, Mango and Brash hear mysterious rumblings about BOULDER BUDDIES…are they just the latest fad or part of a mob-run scheme? And could a rocky relationship from the InvestiGators’ past be trembling beneath the surface? Find out in their most stone-cold dangerous mission yet!
6. Heist and Seek (2022)
When rare paintings go missing, the InvestiGators are called on the scene…the ART SCENE! Mango and Brash go undercover and under canvas as internationally renowned painters to expose a crook who has truly mastered the art of CRIME! Can they recover the missing masterpieces and save the city art museum’s fundraising gala before it’s too late…and they run out of appetizers?
7. All Tide Up (2023)
Unsinkable detectives Mango and Brash are back in InvestiGators: All Tide Up, a high seas adventure that takes the hit series by John Patrick Green to uncharted waters! When a cruise captain is found drifting at sea and delirious, the search begins for his missing ship and passengers! Did it sink? Was it boat-napped? Are supernatural forces at play? And can the InvestiGators unravel this maritime mystery before a second cruise befalls a similarly unfathomable fate? Seas the day and find out in this new nautical adventure!
8. Class Action (2024)
Multiple-time New York Times–bestselling sewer surfing super-sleuths Mango & Brash are back in the eighth volume of the mega-smash-hit InvestiGators series! The InvestiGators are back…to school?! Mango and Brash have always been a class act but can these alligator detectives convincingly go undercover as average middle-school students? Why has the super-spy organization S.U.I.T. been assigned protection detail for a small-town team mascot? Is it a coincidence that the school happens to be the same one that Agent Mango (just barely) graduated from? Is Mango’s family in danger? Will Brash pass home economics? Is Friday still pizza day? Find out in School Busted, the A+ return of the New York Times bestselling series by John Patrick Green! Read up, because there just might be a pop quiz later!
9. Case Files (2025)
Special agents Mango and Brash are back again, and this time they’ll be asking their readers for help in cracking the case! The gators have been given a brand new add-on for their V.E.S.T.s to help with gathering evidence and making sense of clues – the G.R.I.D. (Gator Reasoning, Inquiry, Deduction) – and with that powerful tool in hand, kids can follow along as they solve six brand-new mysteries! Featuring plenty of familiar faces from investigations past, as well as a few brand new suspects, Mango and Brash and YOU (the reader) will get to the bottom of cases big and small!
10. InvestiGators: Weather or Not (2026)
The InvestiGators’ latest case is a dairy disaster! The city’s water supply has been replaced with milk and the newest feline agents, the InvestiGatos, don’t seem to be complaining. What’s with the simian scientists and why is the rain green?! All will be revealed in this sticky volume of InvestiGators!
Spin-Offs and Related Books
For those craving more S.U.I.T. shenanigans, dive into the Agents of S.U.I.T. spin-off series, set in the same universe but starring a fresh crew of animal agents. Read these after the main series for maximum Easter egg spotting—no strict chronology needed, but they enhance the Mango and Brash adventures.
- Agents of S.U.I.T. (2023): Meet the badger-led team tackling bizarre beasts.
- From Badger to Worse (2024): Escalating animal antics with punny peril.
- Wild Ghost Chase (2025): Spectral sleuthing for the spookiest cases yet. (Released February 2025)
A fourth book, Sew Much Trouble, is slated for 2026. These extended universe tales keep the laughs rolling for fans of kids detective books series.
Why Read InvestiGators Books In Chronological Order?
Jumping into the InvestiGators books in order isn’t just tradition—it’s essential for soaking up the series’ magic. Start with book 1 to witness Mango’s earnest enthusiasm clash with Brash’s by-the-book rigidity, evolving into unbreakable teamwork across volumes. Recurring foes like Crackerdile pop up with inside jokes that land harder when you’ve seen their debut splash.
Plus, Green’s Easter eggs—like V.E.S.T. upgrades or sewer shortcuts—build like a detective’s case file, rewarding chronology with “aha!” moments. Out of order? You’ll miss the pun progression (from “plunge” to “tide up”) that ties the InvestiGators graphic novels into a cohesive, giggle-inducing arc. As one Goodreads reviewer raves, “The growth feels real, even for gators!” Trust us: chronological reading turns casual flips into full-blown fandom.
Tips for Reading the InvestiGators Series
Ready to suit up? Here are pro tips to maximize the fun in your InvestiGators reading order:
- Start Strong: Begin with book 1—it’s a self-contained intro but sets the punny tone for the best order to read InvestiGators.
- Buddy Reads: Pair with a friend or family for shared laughs; discuss clues mid-mystery to mimic S.U.I.T. briefings.
- Activity Boost: After each book, sketch your own V.E.S.T. gadget or map a toilet travel route. Teachers, tie it to writing prompts on “If I were an agent…”
- Pacing It Right: One book per week keeps the excitement bubbling without burnout—perfect for ages 7-10.
Pro tip: Read on a tablet for zoomable panels, but paperbacks shine for bedtime flips. And don’t forget to follow John Patrick Green on socials for behind-the-scenes sketches—link to his author profile for the latest.
Frequently Asked Questions About InvestiGators Book Series
How many InvestiGators books are there?
As of September 2025, there are 9 published InvestiGators books in order, with the 10th, Weather or Not, arriving in 2026. The full InvestiGators series order keeps growing!
What is the best order to read InvestiGators?
The best order to read InvestiGators is publication chronology, as detailed above—it aligns perfectly with the story’s build-up of cases and character arcs in these InvestiGators graphic novels.
Are there any InvestiGators spin-offs?
Yes! The Agents of S.U.I.T. series expands the universe with three books out now (2023-2025), plus more on the way. Read them after the main InvestiGators books in order for bonus Mango and Brash adventures.
Is the InvestiGators series suitable for kids?
Absolutely—InvestiGators graphic novels are ideal for ages 7-10, with mild peril, no gore, and heaps of positive messages on friendship and smarts. Parents and teachers rave about its reluctant-reader appeal.
Conclusion:
From sewer plunges to schoolyard sleuthing, the InvestiGators series by John Patrick Green is a pun-soaked treasure trove of kids detective books series that turns reading into an adventure. With its chronological storytelling, vibrant art, and heart under the humor, it’s no wonder Mango and Brash have captured young hearts worldwide. Whether you’re flushing through for the first time or revisiting old cases, the InvestiGators books in order promise non-stop giggles and gasps. Ready to crack your first case? What’s your favorite pun so far? Drop it in the comments—we’re all ears (or tails)!
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