This review was originally written for the website ListerX.com, which is now defunct. It can also be found on my blog, The Graphic Librarian.

Cover
I would have to say that the cover's design is simplistic, almost to an extreme, with only a small single image of the three main characters. The rest of the cover consists only of the title and large geometric shapes, all of which are rendered in a vivid neon green. The back cover sports similar geometrics in the same eye-popping shade of green and also presents the three main characters once again, only this time they're in chibi form. While it may not seem like much, the cover still manages to convey exactly what you'll find within its pages - a series of stories which although simplistic, are also quirky and fun.

Artwork
The art is also very much like the cover in its simple design. For example, there are next to no backgrounds of any kind. Of course, some people prefer an uncluttered style, so the lack of details (aside from the characters and a few props) isn't particularly a bad thing. However, for those who need occasional eye-candy, you do get to see some detailed backgrounds every once in a while. So, for those who prefer a lot of detail in your manga, you may want to pass this one by. On the other hand, if you enjoy stories where the characters are constantly switching into super-deformed mode, this volume will be a real treat. The manga-ka spends nearly half the time drawing the main characters as their smaller, more adorable selves, a style which is used often to increase the humor of various scenes. The characters by themselves are as simplistically drawn as the rest of the art, but they still have a sort of classic appeal to them. Their body proportions are decent, though not fantastic, but it's hard to cast a fair judgment since the characters are very rarely drawn from any more than the waist up. There is also very little action, which is usually a great indicator of how well an artist can draw proportions, so it remains difficult for me to make a solid judgment.

It appears to me that Noriko's strength is most definitely in her ability to render facial expressions. Not once will you find yourself at a loss when it comes to how a character is feeling. From waterfalls to sweat drops to glaring anger marks, you'll never be confused about the emotional state of any character (unless, of course, Noriko wants you to be.)

Plot
**Possible Spoilers Warning**
Each chapter is an episode in the lives of three friends trying to run their own detective agency. Mitsukazu Hisago is the Chief Manager and Investigator. He used to work for his father's company, but decided he wanted to start his own business (although his dad's still paying all the expenses.) Hisago's co-workers are Nagi Tsukumo and Mori Shimeki. Nagi is young, a bit naive, and constantly trying to equate life with a shojo manga. At first glance Shimeki seems to be the most normal of the trio, but you'll quickly discover he has a scarily obsessive attitude towards his female Pomeranian, Kobayashi-kun.

I'm sad to say that there doesn't seem to be much of an on-going plot in this volume. Each chapter has the title of "Episode" and that's exactly what they are - small episodes in the lives of the three main characters. Each story is amusing and reveals a little bit of background about Hisago, Nagi, and Shimeki, but other than that there's not much going on. Episode 1 focuses on a woman who thinks she's being stalked, but is the stalker really what he seems? Episode 2 features a little girl who hold Kobayashi-kun hostage so that the agency will help her find her pet. Then in Episode 3, Shimeki gets kidnapped by someone with interesting ties to his past and Episode 4 introduces yet another person from Shimeki's earlier years. Episode 5 follows with the trio trying to help a young girl get out of an arranged marriage (with rather unexpected results.) Shimeki tries to help another girl in Episode 6 who's fighting for her boyfriend's affections. . . with his dog. Unfortunately, Shimeki's own unconditional love for Kobayashi-kun leaves him more than a bit biased. In Episode 7 Hisago's father appears and wants Shimeki to set his son up with a girl he knows, but Hisago has other ideas. Finally, in Episode 8, we learn a little more about Nagi, who suddenly discovers she's betrothed, but there's something fishy about her new beau and it's up to Nagi to figure out what's really going on. There's also a short afterward at the end where the manga-ka talks for a bit about random things, only some of which involves the story or the characters.

Content Warnings
Language = None that I can remember.

Violence = Does kidnapping and threatening someone with a knife count?

Nudity = None.

Sexual Situations = None.

Ratings
Cover - 5/10 - Not fabulous, but not entirely terrible either.

Artwork - 5/10 - Left a a great deal to be desired, but wasn't truly terrible - just not my cup of tea.

Plot - 6/10 - Was there one? The stories are cute and mildly continuous, but if there was a real plot I completely missed it.

Overall - 5.5/10 - While this is an adorable manga and worth reading once, I would not spend $10 to put it on my shelf. ( )