Branching Out: Books for Fans of Murder Most Unladylike

Historical setting – tick. Dastardly villains -tick. Mansion house setting – tick. Poor girl -tick. Rich girl – tick. Yes, this book has all the ingredients for a fantastic, edge-of-the-seat historical spy adventure.

The combined themes of war and espionage will make this book one that children will want to read and a good addition to the canon of World War 2 stories suitable for slightly younger readers. It is a bit of old-fashioned daring-do, coupled with real historical detail and jeopardy. The tension is palpable throughout the story and the desperation of the heroines feels real. There is nothing here that slightly younger KS2 readers would find difficult, with only mentions of what is happening to Jews in Germany at the time and the violence is at a minimum.

The interesting part of the story is about the differences in the lives of the two girls due to their class and circumstances. The postscript at the end of the book makes it clear how the upper classes were really able to get away with things due to their standing in society and the two girls are like a microcosm of this class divide.

This is a tremendously exciting read, one I could not put down and read all in one go.

The first book in the ‘Lizzie and Belle Mysteries’ series sees the young best friends and amateur detectives use their skills to investigate odd goings-on in a theatre, which in turn reveals further mysteries and crimes which they must solve.

Set in Georgian London, this book illuminates the multiracial history of Britain, and the struggles and injustices faced by Black people in a place where many powerful people thrived on keeping slavery alive. It also demonstrates that White people had an important role, as well as responsibility, to offer support to Black anti-slavery activists and to challenge the White slave owners of the time. Many of the characters and events in this book are based on real people and things that happened, and there is a lot of scope to research real stories. The real Elizabeth Sancho was daughter of the African-British writer and abolitionist Ignatius Sancho. Dido Belle was the daughter of Maria, an enslaved young African woman, and John Lindsay – captain in the British Royal Navy.

This is a fantastic mystery story, which could also lead to discussions about race, theatre, slavery and family history.

Author JT Williams also visited our blog to discuss the role of fiction in bringing history to life for children.

A new series from Holly Webb, A Girl’s Guide to Spying, introduces sisters Phyllis and Annie who join the Guides and soon find themselves wrapped up in a First World War mystery involving secret messages, spies, war secrets and Watergate House – headquarters of MI5.

The Girl’s Guide to Spying focuses a lot on girls being brave and capable. Phyl and Annie show that girls can be trusted, can think for themselves, and can help others, including during hard times like war. This is a great message for young readers, especially girls, and ties well into the book’s interest in the history of Girlguiding, while also touching on Suffragettes, gender stereotypes and the role of women on the home front.

One of the strongest parts of the book is the relationship between the sisters. It shows how important it is to work together, look out for each other, and stay loyal. Children reading this can relate to having siblings or friends and learning how to support one another. The Girl Guide skills in the story also show that learning practical skills, solving problems and working as a team really matter. The book also introduces life during the First World War without being too scary or confusing. It helps children see how normal people were affected and how everyone tried to do their part.

Overall, this book is good for children because it builds confidence and shows that even young people can make a difference. It encourages kindness, courage, and believing in yourself.

This story about twins who can stop time to solve mysteries is a delicious combination of mystery and fantasy – there is enough gore in here to keep it tense and thrilling and enough magic to make it unexpected.

The premise of the story, that a set of twins can see back and forwards in time, gives a twist that children will enjoy. There is a disappearance (or is it a murder?) to be solved and seeing back in time might come in very handy. Whilst the twins may look identical, their different personalities come through clearly in the story. Twins often fascinate people, and it is not such a stretch to imagine that they might have unusual abilities. The villain is vile and reminded me of a James Bond villain, stroking his rabbit rather than a cat. Even the rabbit seemed to have villainous tendencies!

In many ways, the setting steals the limelight. Who wouldn’t be interested in exploring an old house, with a fire-damaged wing and secret rooms? I could almost smell the mustiness of the old house and I would have wanted to explore the house and grounds in the same way. I can’t help feeling this book lends itself to a sequel, though I would miss Fox House if it did not feature in that sequel.

Murder at The Ivy Hotel is suspenseful, charming and full of heart.

Set in Dublin, this cosy crime story follows sisters Meredith and Macy, who have an unusual and fun-filled lifestyle within the hub of the busy but grand Ivy Hotel. When a mysterious guest is found dead, their world of wonder turns into a race against time. With their mum under pressure from cost-cutting new owners and a close friend wrongly accused, the girls, alongside their new ally Colin, must uncover the truth.

The pacing, divided into daily chapters, builds tension well while the looming deadline adds urgency. What shines are the characters – Meredith’s calm empathy, Macy’s sharp intelligence and Colin’s quiet resourcefulness make for a delightful trio who drive the investigation.

With an elegant setting, clever clues and a motive you won’t see coming, this is a perfect debut read for super-sleuths of all ages!

A Victorian murder mystery that has plenty of twists and turns and is difficult to put down.

All Violet Veil has ever wanted is to be taken seriously and to become an apprentice in her family’s business, Veil and Sons’ Undertakers. Unfortunately, she is denied this opportunity simply because she is a girl. When there is a spate of killings, business appears to be good for Mr Veil. That is, until one rainy night when one of the dead bodies comes back to life! In the undertaker’s back room, Violet meets Oliver, a young boy who lives on the streets, and together they embark on an investigation to solve Oliver’s own ‘murder’. They are accompanied by Violet’s loyal greyhound, Bones, who has an affinity for the graveyard that lies next to the Veil’s house and business. In spite of her parents’ disapproval, plucky Violet vows to solve this mystery and Oliver is allowed to stay. When Violet’s father is later accused of these murders, Violet, Oliver and Bones must uncover the truth once and for all in a bid to save Mr Veil’s life.

This book has a strong female lead with a loveable sidekick. Violet’s headstrong nature and sense that justice must be done make her a character that you can’t help but root for. The story takes its readers along on the journey of the investigation and is nail-biting in places.

A must-read for lovers of detective stories, ghostly tales and historical fiction. There is a sense of dark adventure and foreboding throughout and this makes the spooky nature of the story very appealing. 

Agatha was born a detective and now, finally, the big break she’s been waiting for seems to finally be hers!

The city of London needs saving from the rancid red algae that has taken over the city’s water supply, causing mayhem. Agatha must use all of her sleuthing novels to solve her biggest case yet, and with the help of her best friend (a professor who is not all she seems) and an ally in the unlikely form of one of the most popular girls at school, she must track down the person behind all of the chaos.