Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? (You Are the Detective)

Released in 1991, this interactive title emerged at the height of the Carmen Sandiego franchise's popularity. Published by Golden Books, it was designed as a print-based extension of the successful educational software series, which focused on teaching geography and critical thinking through detective-style narratives. The book employs a 'choose your own adventure' style format, placing the reader directly into the role of a detective tasked with tracking down Carmen and her V.I.L.E. henchmen.

Illustrated by John Nez, the book leans into the vibrant, cartoonish aesthetic established by the Broderbund software games. Nez's work focuses on clear, engaging visuals that help younger readers navigate the geographical clues and logic puzzles integrated into the story. Upon its release, it was well-received as an accessible way to engage children with the Carmen Sandiego brand outside of a computer environment, emphasizing the franchise's mission of making learning geography feel like a high-stakes mystery.