Synopses & Reviews
Two friends form a detective agency—and must solve their first murder case—in this “sharp-witted debut” (
Publishers Weekly, starred review) that is the first adventure in a brand-new middle grade mystery series set at a 1930s boarding school.
Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong are best friends at Deepdean School for Girls, and they both have a penchant for solving mysteries. In fact, outspoken Daisy is a self-described Sherlock Holmes, and she appoints wallflower Hazel as her own personal Watson when they form their own (secret!) detective agency. The only problem? They have nothing to investigate.
But that changes once Hazel discovers the body of their science teacher, Miss Bell—and the body subsequently disappears. She and Daisy are certain a murder must have taken place, and they can think of more than one person with a motive.
Determined to get to the bottom of the crime—and to prove that it happened—before the killer strikes again, Hazel and Daisy must hunt for evidence, spy on their suspects, and use all the cunning, scheming, and intuition they can muster. But will they succeed? And can their friendship stand the test?
Review
"A skillful blend of golden era crime novel and boarding school romp, with a winning central relationship between plump, anxious Hazel, a new girl who has arrived from Hong Kong, and the super-confident blonde English rose, Daisy Wells. The novel works well both as an affectionate satire and an effective mystery story. . . . Top class." Suzie Feay
Review
"Satisfyingly unpredictable. I did not guess the whodunit. Ripping good fun." Financial Times
Review
"Friendship, boarding school, and a murder worthy of Agatha Christie."
Review
"Really cleverly done and unexpected for what I thought would be a straightforward whodunit caper."
Review
"Reading andlt;Iandgt;Murder Is Bad Mannersandlt;/Iandgt; is like drinking cocoa by a fireside: It is warm and witty and deeply satisfying."
Review
"andlt;Iandgt;Murder Is Bad Mannersandlt;/Iandgt; lured me in with a charming British voice, and then, just as I started to get cozy, snap! I was trapped in a serious mystery problem. Robin Stevens develops her girl detectives with a light, deft touch and delivers denouement with a flourish."
Review
and#8220;Robin Stevens's MURDER IS BAD MANNERS is what I wish every mystery could be: a perfectly-plotted puzzle told in a deft and charming voice. The story is a brilliant mixture of classic detective work and contemporary humorand#8212;I enjoyed every page!and#8221;
Review
"Stevensand#8217;s engaging tale shines with the reflected charms of its detecting duo, a winsome combination of thoughtfulness and relish."
Review
"A pitch-perfect snapshot of adolescent friendship... A sharp-witted debut for Stevens, one that will leave readers eagerly awaiting subsequent installments."
Review
and#8220;Nancy Drew, meet Wells and Wong.and#8221;
Review
"[A] first-rate homage to English boarding school adventure and period murder-mystery tales....Middle-schoolers with a taste for Agatha Christie (and perhaps PBS costume or mystery dramas) will eat this up and ask for more."
Review
"[A] delightful romp....This book, the first in a series, is a "jolly good read," one which intermediate girls will enjoy and share."
About the Author
Robin Stevens was given her first Agatha Christie novel when she was twelve, and sheand#8217;s been obsessed ever since. During her BA at Warwick University she took a crime fiction course, and her MA dissertation was on the golden age of the English detective novel. She wrote the first draft of andlt;iandgt;Murder Is Bad Manners andlt;/iandgt;while working at Blackwelland#8217;s Bookstore in Oxford, drawing on her own boarding school experiences at Cheltenham Ladiesand#8217; College to create Hazel and Daisyand#8217;s world. Robin is now the editorial graduate trainee at Orion Childrenand#8217;s Books in London. Originally born in California, she holds dual UK/US nationality.