As much as I love Peanuts, I'm not an expert on the comic strip.  Therefore, I'm not sure how often Snoopy really played detective in the funny pages.  I do know there was a special in the 70's called It's a Mystery, Charlie Brown.  (Someday, I must see it.  I had a book version as a kid.)  I'm not sure if that special was the inspiration for the third Spotlight on Snoopy ornament or not, but I don't care too much.  The Detective was one of the first in the series I bought.

Released in 2000, this ornament features Snoopy decked out as Sherlock Holmes.  He's wearing a plaid outfit that is red with yellow and blue strips.  Not only is it his jacket and his pants, but even his hat is made out of the same material.  Snoopy is carrying a magnifying glass.  While the glass doesn't actually enlarge anything (it distorts it instead), it does have something in it to make it look like it should.

Woodstock gets into the act as well.  He's decked out in a tiny black suit and black hat.  He's holding a small notepad.  And it makes sense that he would be the Watson to Snoopy's Holmes.

Once again, this ornament is made from solid plastic.  It's lightweight and sturdy for its intended decorative use.  The double bill on Snoopy's cap sticks out pretty far in the back.  It seems solid, but it could be the first part to break off if the ornament were subjected to abuse.

This is the first ornament not to have the release year worked into the main part of the ornament.  There is still a 3 in a triangle on Snoopy's foot, representing the number in the Spotlight on Snoopy series.

Maybe the previous year's instability was a fluke because this ornament is very stable.  Snoopy's two feet and Woodstock all hit the ground on the same plain.

Of course, I always hang mine on my tree.  The little metal circle is actually off to the side of Snoopy's hat to make way for the topknot.  As a result, Snoopy does hang slightly crooked.  Funny, I had never noticed that before.  Obviously, it isn't too bad if I've had it on my tree for 9 years without knowing.

When the Spotlight on Snoopy series started, I only bought the ones I absolutely loved.  (When I realized I owned over half of them, I hit up Ebay to get the rest.)  Even though this one doesn't really connect with the strip as much as some of the others, I bought it the year it came out.  How could a mystery fan and Peanuts fan not love Snoopy dressed as Sherlock Holmes?

Those looking for ornaments directly related to Snoopy and the Peanuts comic strip might not want to rush out and buy The Detective.  Me?  This is still a favorite from the Spotlight on Snoopy series.

This Lean-n-Mean review is my third entry for the Twelve Ornaments Before Christmas Write-Off.

Spotlight on Snoopy Series
1998 - Joe Cool
1999 - Famous Flying Ace
2000 - The Detective (You are here)
2001 - Beaglescout
2002 - Literary Ace
2003 - Joe Cool #2
2004 - The Winning Ticket
2005 - Snoopy the Magnificent
2006 - The Legal Beagle
2007 - Spaceman Snoopy
2008 - Patriotic Pals
2009 - Firefighter Snoopy
2010 - Artist Snoopy 
2011 - Grill Master Snoopy 
2012 - Fisherman Snoopy  

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 9.95