, the third book in the SpongeBob SquarePants Mystery middle-grade series, SpongeBob is back with a new partner and a new case that will take them through the mysterious corners of Bikini Bottom's theater world.

The Drippy Lane Theater is on its last legs. Luckily, an eccentric director comes to town to stage a new play, sure to grab everyone's attention--even King Neptune's! If the show is a success, the theater is bound to be saved. But when a series of disastrous mishaps occur, the stage is set . . . for a mystery!

Enter Detective SpongeBob SquarePants and his new partner, Sandy Cheeks. In order to crack this case, they'll have to step out of the spotlight and into the shadows to discover just who is responsible for all this drama. Can they solve the case before the theater is closed for good?

Featuring Black-and-White Illustrations by Award-Winning and New York Times Bestselling Creator Francesco Francavilla