Children’s / Teenage fiction: Crime and mystery fiction

Book SynopsisSolve the mystery with the Secret Seven - everyone''s favourite detective club! A brand-new, action-packed Secret Seven adventure by prizewinning author Pamela Butchart. When Peter discovers an old skull hidden in his bedroom, it''s time for an urgent meeting of the Secret Seven. Setting off to investigate, the friends see a gigantic hole in the grounds of a local hotel. Could there be any connection between the two strange events? The Secret Seven are determined to solve the mystery.It''s time to look behind the green door of the Secret Seven''s shed again. Enid Blyton''s much-loved detective club are back in a superbly entertaining new adventure. Pamela Butchart is the bestselling and prizewinning author of the hilarious series that started with Baby Aliens Got My Teacher! A huge fan of Enid Blyton, Pamela has been inspired to create a new mystery for her favourite club, the Secret Seven, to solve. Set in the same world and time as the originaTrade ReviewShe brings enormous fun and energy to an all-new mystery, striking the delicate balance of remaining faithful to Blyton's originals while appealing to contemporary children. * The Bookseller *Butchart recreates all the adventure and charm of the originals * Independent i *This is a brand new Secret Seven story written by Pamela Butchart and illustrated by Tony Ross. It's set in the same world and time as Enid Blyton's original series and is perfect for anyone who loves a mystery to solve. * Mini Travellers *

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Book SynopsisA fast-paced historical mystery adventure for readers aged 9+ years, with gorgeous Edwardian period detail. Perfect for fans of Chris Riddell''s Goth Girl series, Enid Blyton and Robin Stevens''s Murder Most Unladylike series.When a priceless painting is stolen, our dauntless heroines Sophie and Lil find themselves faced with forgery, trickery and deceit on all sides!Be amazed as the brave duo pit their wits against this perilous puzzle! Marvel at their cunning plan to unmask the villain and prove themselves detectives to be reckoned with no matter what dangers lie ahead It's their most perilous adventure yet!******Praise for The Clockwork Sparrow:''A wonderful book, with a glorious heroine and a true spirit of adventure' Katherine Rundell, author of RooftoppersA real page-turner, it has murders, spies and gangs of thieves. Thrilling!' Indiana, aged 10 years, LoveReadingforKids reviewer''Dastardliness on a big scale is uncovered in this well-plotted, evocative novel'' Nicolette JonTrade ReviewJolly good fun. * Kirkus Reviews *

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Book SynopsisNOMINATED FOR A GOODREADS CHOICE AWARD 2023Everyone has a secret. Everyone has a motive. But only one of them brought a knife to the party . . .To celebrate the end of high school, Izzy Morales joins her best friend Kassidy and five friends on a luxury 1920s-themed getaway at the glamorous Ashwood Manor. There, Izzy and her friends party in vintage dresses and expensive diamonds - until Kassidy's boyfriend turns up dead.And when a raging storm traps them on the island with two detectives, the sparkling young socialites become the prime suspects in his murder. There's the girlfriend, and the other girl. The old friend, and the new friend. The brooding enigma. And then, there's Izzy - the girl who brought the knife . . .A glamorous and scandalous modern murder mystery, that'll have you reading through the night to find out whodunnit! Perfect for fans of ONE OF US IS LYING, THE INHERITrade ReviewA delicious, twisty, and clever locked-room mystery with loads of glamour and danger that will keep readers rapt until the very end. A can't miss for mystery fans. -- Kathleen Glasgow, New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces and The AgathasContains all the best elements of the classic cosy locked-room murder mysteries, with its own glamorous twist - bittersweet and captivating right through to the final page. * Ravena Guron, author of THIS BOOK KILLS *Agatha Christie meets Karen M. McManus in this suspenseful mystery. . . Izzy narrates in a propulsive present-tense voice. . . Muñoz captures the spirit of the classic mystery, deftly weaving the threads without missing a plot point. A strong debut from a promising new voice. * Booklist *a gripping young adult novel that skilfully weaves together elements of wealthy privilege, immigration issues, and teen drama. It does all this within the setting of an intriguing murder mystery, making it a must-read for anyone looking for a captivating story. [...] It's a book that will leave a lasting impact on its readers, making it a truly unique addition to the young adult literary landscape. * Armadillo Magazine *A stylish and thrilling murder-mystery. * WRDXrta Magazine *

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Roux's use of found photographs, text messages, and excellent chapter hooks will keep readers up late, following the misadventures of the appealingly geeky honor students." -- Booklist

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Book SynopsisHelp Dink, Josh, and Ruth Rose solve mysteries from A to Z!   Kids love collecting the entire alphabet and super editions! With over 8 million copies in print, the A to Z Mysteries® have been hooking chapter book readers on mysteries and reading for years. Now this classic kid favorite is back with a bright new look!   A is for Author . . . A famous writer is coming to Green Lawn! Dink rushes to the bookstore to meet his favorite author, Wallis Wallace, and get all his books signed. But the author never shows up! Where is Wallis Wallace? It’s up to Dink and his friends Josh and Ruth Rose to track him down.

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Book SynopsisJoin everyone's favourite crime-busting ladybird on a trip to the seaside! With a cast of wonderful sea creatures, including a magical mermaid, and plenty of beach fun, What the Ladybird Heard at the Seaside is a brilliant rhyming adventure from the bestselling picture book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks.The clever little ladybird is off on a trip to the seaside, but those two bad men, Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len, are up to their wicked ways again. This time they're planning to steal the mermaid's hair and sell it to a famous star. Luckily, the crime-busting ladybird has a clever plan to stop the thieves . . .The fourth title in the number one bestselling What the Ladybird Heard series – perfect for young children to read aloud!Enjoy more stories from Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks: The Singing Mermaid, Sharing a Shell, and What the Ladybird Heard on Holiday.Trade ReviewAn instant classic * Baby Magazine *What the Ladybird Heard at the Seaside is a sparkling rhyming adventure from writer Donaldson and illustrator Lydia Monks – quite literally. It features glitter on every page * Sunday Post *Bright, sparkling, full of humor, subterfuge and rhyming fun, this is another exceptional title from the award winning pair of Donaldson and Monks. Not only a funny tale of whimsy, it continues to show that even the smallest, quietest and most unassuming characters around us can make the biggest differences and overcome the most difficult of challenges. Themes of friendship, teamwork and communication are prevalent in this series with the fourth installment being just as strong. Expect nothing less than bold, beautiful and brilliance * Included in Askews and Holt Newsletter *

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Book SynopsisPug and his faithful companion, Lady Miranda, are going to be cowboys for the day and first of all they're going horsetrading! But with their noble steed Horsey safely acquired, it's not long before they find themselves on the wrong side of the law. Can Pug the reluctant hero overcome his fears and save the day once more?Cowboy Pug is the second book in Laura James''s beloved illustrated series about roly-poly Pug and his human, Lady Miranda. It is is perfect for fans of Claude and Squishy McFluff.A great book with lovely pictures and typography for five- to seven-year-olds who are starting to read for themselves and like dogs with multiple chins - The Times on COWBOY PUGTrade ReviewGorgeous funny young fiction. * The Bookseller on CAPTAIN PUG *Highly entertaining, wittily illustrated and fun to read alone. * Julia Eccleshare, LoveReading4Kids on CAPTAIN PUG *Captain Pug ... is another great new book for those who are ready for something meatier than a picture book. * Irish Independent on CAPTAIN PUG *Captain Pug is easy to read and the layout and typography is lovely ... it’s a fantastic read! * A Mum Reviews on CAPTAIN PUG *[A] wonderful, very funny, story … My little boy was laughing out loud every chapter as Pug becomes an accidental adventurer. * Home By Teatime on CAPTAIN PUG *

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Book SynopsisThe second novel in Elizabeth George's Young Adult series. This genre-bending work combines Elizabeth's flair for crime and suspense novels with the paranormal.Trade ReviewAction-packed, mysterious, and somewhat creepy ... Raising the bar when it comes to today's YA fiction. * Suspense Magazine *In combining her skills in crime writing with an obvious flair for the supernatural this award-winning author creates a wonderful tale. * My Weekly *The author writes brilliantly and has an incredible ability to set a scene and create characters you want to know more about. * The Sun *Presses all the buttons to make us hoover her stuff up. * Daily Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisAn astounding new feat of storytelling from Brian Selznick, the award-winning creator of The Invention of Hugo Cabret and Wonderstruck.A ship. A garden. A library. A key. In Kaleidoscope, the incomparable Brian Selznick presents the story of two people bound to each other through time and space, memory and dreams. At the center of their relationship is a mystery about the nature of grief and love which will look different to each reader. Kaleidoscope is a feat of storytelling that illuminates how even the wildest tales can help us in the hardest times.

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Book SynopsisLondon’s criminal underworld has risen once again, and a dangerous individual with an air gun is prowling the streets. The capital is in greater need of its protector Sherlock Holmes than ever. Three years have passed since Holmes and the evil mastermind Professor Moriarty fell, locked in combat, into the Reichenbach Falls in Switzerland, and when Doctor Watson collides with an odd-looking old book collector in the street, little does he know that the world’s greatest detective is about to return… Third volume in the Alma Classics Sherlock Holmes stories, this edition contains extra material for young readers, including a profile of the author, a section on the book, a list of characters, a glossary and a test-yourself quiz.

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Book SynopsisMeet Eva, Simone and Ash: best friends, budding journalists, and the stars of this delightful new series about family, friends, and DOGS, from the author of the much-loved MARSHMALLOW PIE and DOTTY DETECTIVE books! Eva has always wanted to be a journalist, so when she and her friends go whippet racing and find some underhand competitive cheating, she might just have found her next story. Can she get to the bottom of it, with a little help from a furry friend?

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Book SynopsisSome people think that museums are boring places full of glass cases, dust and stuff no one cares about: wrong! In a hidden headquarters below the exhibits there's a gang ready to handle dangerous, spooky or just plain weird problems: the Museum Mystery Squad.Techie-genius Nabster, mile-a-minute Kennedy and sharp-eyed Laurie (along with Colin the hamster!) tackle the surprising conundrums happening at the museum. From prehistoric creatures that move and secret Egyptian codes to missing treasure and strange messages from the past, there's no brain-twisting, totally improbable puzzle the Squad can't solve.Someone's sent the museum a blackmail letter threatening to steal a prized exhibit from the brand-new Space Zone. Can the Squad make one giant leap in their investigation, and stop the gravity-defying thief before an out-of-this-world artefact 3,2,1... takes off?In the Case from Outer Space, the Squad investigate puzzling planets, amazing astronauts and marvellous moon rocks to try to solve their latest mystery.Young readers will love the riddles, red herrings and big reveals jam-packed into this fun-filled series of mystery stories by Mike Nicholson. The enjoyable extras like wacky facts and activities, as well as zany illustrations by Mike Phillips, will keep amateur detectives entertained for hours.

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Book SynopsisMitchell is well aware of what will make kids laugh. An observant and captivatingly funny story'Sunday Times Children's Book of the WeekA hilarious adventure for readers aged 9+ from the author of Escape from Camp Boring. When Things Went Wild is also a timely call to protect our environment.When Kit's family move to a crumbling house in the Scottish Highlands, he's got a lot to deal with terrible Wi-Fi, a new school in the middle of nowhere, and, as always, his annoying little brother, Jack. But it's not until the brothers find a strange object on the moors that Kit's problems really begin.A policewoman comes knocking, and the boys learn that they have found a tracker that has been removed from the leg of a golden eagle. The illegal killing of these majestic birds is all too common, and now a pair of nesting eagles are under threat. Kit and Jack start to investigate, soon joined by Tamora the most popular girl in school and her younger sister, Bea.Who is trying to harm the eagles,

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Book SynopsisMeet RORY BRANAGAN he eats bad guys for breakfast. Well, not ACTUALLY. But he IS the best detective in town. Fifth in a hilarious comedy-crime series for readers of 8+.Hello. I am Rory Branagan. I am actually a detective.Me and Cat are at the most AWESOME event ever Car Bonanza, where people are doing epic car stunts, jumping out of planes and breaking world records. It is amazing.But then one of the stunts goes TERRIBLY WRONG. But was it really an accident, or did someone meddle with the car?! It's a good job me and the Cat are here, because this is a CRIME, and it needs to be solvedThere are seven books in the RORY BRANAGAN (DETECTIVE) series and this is the fifth.Trade Review Praise for Rory Branagan (Detective) ‘I read it COVER to COVER immediately. I absolutely loved it and it put a smile the size of the Grand Canyon on my face. It is so delightful … Ralph's quizzical, characterful and charming illustrations are the perfect foil to that Clover storytelling magic, full of humour, genuinely thrilling and moving to boot.' Piers Torday, author of The Last Wild trilogy ‘The Rory Branagan books are fun, fast, and child friendly. The perfect link between picture books and full length novels. If your children like books like The Diary of a Wimpy kid, they'll love these.' Adam Baron, author of Boy Underwater ‘I adore Rory Branagan, Detective … perfect for children who love graphic novels, laughter, and actual mysteries. Illustrations (by Ralph Lazar) are hilarious, full of motion, and propel you from page to page because they're irresistible. Gobble up one of these books in an hour or pace yourself to make them last. Five out of five stars!’ Alison McGhee, New York Times bestselling author ‘Words and illustrations are both very funny and surprisingly touching … A great new series for young readers.’ LoveReading4Kids ‘A totally addictive page-turning storyline … Incredibly clever.’ The Bookbag ‘A pure page turner … So good I bought it at lunch and had it finished before I went to bed. Every page is packed with comedy adventure and beautiful illustrations.' Joseph, aged 11 'I loved the book, it was great. It took me one day to read because I couldn't put it down.' G, aged 9 'A very good book. It's very inspirational and shows you to keep trying and don't let anyone put you down. You can be whatever you want to be so follow your dreams. Even if you're small, you can do big things!' Reader, aged 9

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Book SynopsisCollins brings the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie, to English language learners.Collins brings the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie, to English language learners.Agatha Christie is the most widely published author of all time and in any language. Now Collins hasadapted her famous detective novels for English language learners. These readers have beencarefully adapted using the Collins COBUILD grading scheme to ensure that the language is at thecorrect level for an intermediate learner. This book is Level 4 in the Collins ELT Readers series. Level4 is equivalent to CEF level B2 with a word count of 20,000 26,000 words.Each book includes: Full reading of the adapted version available for free online Helpful notes on characters Cultural and historical notes relevant to the plot A glossary of the more difficult wordsPoirot has a new challenge on his hands. The A B C murderer killed Mrs Ascher in Andover, then Betty Barnard in Bexhill, then moved on to Sir Carmichael Clarke in Churston hi

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Book SynopsisIn recent months there has been a spate of burglaries at the houses of players from Danny''s favourite football club, City FC. Danny wants to know who''s behind it all and is on the case. But after scouting out the crime scenes, there are newspaper reports of a young boy having been seen hanging around. Danny needs to find out who''s behind these crimes - and fast. If he doesn''t, he might have turned from crime detective into the biggest suspect of them all...Trade ReviewAn excellent, fast-paced detective novel * The Times *Scores with the precision of a Ronaldo free kick * Sunday Times *

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Book SynopsisTHE SECOND TITLE IN THE EXPLOSIVE NEW SERIES BY BESTSELLING AUTHOR CHRIS BRADFORD''I saw him die right in front of my eyes.''''That you did,'' replies Damien.''But you underestimated his power. Tanas is back and stronger than ever . . .''When Genna''s parents are murdered, the police put the tragedy down to a burglary gone wrong. But Genna knows the truth: the Soul Hunters are back and her nightmare is far from over.With home no longer safe, she flees to America to find Phoenix, the only one who can help her - or so she thinks. While searching for her Soul Protector, Genna meets other First Ascendants like her, and Soul Warriors tasked with protecting the Light.But the Hunters are on her trail and it''s only a matter of time before Genna comes face-to-face with their leader once more. For Tanas has miraculously incarnated into a new body, and is hungry for her soul.Genna must look to her past liveTrade Review'A fast-paced fantasy adventure with a thrilling plot and exciting characters' * BookTrust *A story that doesn't sit still! * Gill Ward, Alexandra Palace Children’s Book Award *Fantastic and a must read. If we could give it more than 5 stars, we would! * The Book Brothers *

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Book SynopsisTHE THRILLING FINALE TO THE SOUL SERIES BY BESTSELLING AUTHOR CHRIS BRADFORDTanas laughs, cruel and cold.''Won''t you Ascendants ever learn?My soul cannot be killed.Only I have the power to destroy souls.''Genna has lost everything. Her home, her parents, and now her only safe sanctuary. Forced to flee Haven, she faces a difficult decision: hide and survive, or stand and fight? Determined not to let Tanas win, Genna embarks on a desperate quest across continents to save the Light of Humanity. But can she and her friends complete their mission before Tanas and her Hunters catch up with them? Time is running out. And the clues to their quest are few and far between. Genna can only hope her soul will survive long enough to save the world . . .

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Book SynopsisThe New York Times bestselling series returns! Your favourite royal family are back for another thrilling instalment of gossip, drama and romance . . .Beatrice Washington now rules America as its first ever queen, but her family are more concerned about rushing through her arranged marriage to a man she barely knows. No one can know that her heart really belongs to her bodyguard - but even their love is under threat.Meanwhile, Princess Samantha is under more scrutiny than ever before - and she still longs to be with her sister''s fiancee. But with no sign of Bea''s wedding being called off, she''s surprised to find someone else catching her eye.Nina Gonzalez is also tangled up with someone she never expected to be. She and Ethan are both nursing broken hearts, and it''s not long before they find themselves pulled irresistably together.Luckily for Daphne Deighton, Prince Jeff''s grief for his father makes him a prime target for her attentions. She''s the closest she''s been in years to getting what she wants . . . so why can''t she let the idea of her and Ethan go?As the royal wedding of the century creeps ever closer, will these four young women get what they want - or will their hearts be broken forever?Trade ReviewPraise for American Royals: An addictive Jilly Cooperesque saga * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisMeet Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timothy. Together they are THE FAMOUS FIVE - Enid Blyton''s most popular adventure series. All 21 titles also available as audiobooks!In book fourteen, George is not pleased when Berta, a spoilt American girl, turns up at Kirrin Cottage in the dead of night. But George hasn''t got time to be jealous, Berta is in hiding from kidnappers. The Famous Five are the only ones who can protect her - but will they take on dangerous criminals to help out a stranger?This edition features the original cover art and inside illustrations by Eileen Soper.

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Book SynopsisIntroducing an extraordinary series with real codes, real mysteries and real danger.Trade ReviewA must-read series for all fans of mystery adventure novels. * Scottish Daily Record *... plenty of action and adventure, mixed in with generous dollops of facts and information which will definitely appeal to readers who enjoy having their brains challenged as well as their imaginations. * The Bookbag *readers who love to follow clues and solve a mystery will be addicted to this gripping adventure * Julia Eccleshare, LoveReading4kids *This gripping thriller ... will have you on the edge of your seats. * TBK Magazine *Kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way. It was fantastic! * Written Dimension *meticulously planned and very well-written * Carousel Magazine *an utterly thrilling, exciting, intriguing romp. * MostlyReadingYA.com *Humour, despair, fear, excitement... This ticks all the boxes. * Inis Magazine *My favourite part of this tremendous book was the fact it was packed with so much excitement, on every page a new secret was unzipped and leaving you feeling so excited... it is a must read! * Rachie, guardian.co.uk *A beautifully drawn together story -- 01/10/2012 * Parents In Touch *

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Book SynopsisGrouped by genre, this collection of short stories introduces students to a range of fiction genres. Each group includes an introduction to the genre, an example of pre-20th century fiction and reading and writing assignments - helping students explore the characteristics of each genre.Table of ContentsMyths How Winter Came to the Earth retold by Jacynth Hope-Simpson Izanami and Izanagi (Japanese Creation Myth) retold by N. Philip Pandora's Box retold by Anthony Horowitz Pyramus and Thisbe retold by Anthony Horowitz Ghost and Horror A Night at a Cottage by Richard Hughes Who Goes Down This Dark Road? by Joan Aiken Feeding the Dog by Susan Price The Old Nurse's Story by Elizabeth Gaskell Science Fiction A Gnaw of Rats by Robert Swindells The Star Ducks by Bill Brown Compassion Circuit by John Wyndham The Stolen Bacillus by H.G. Wells Crime and Mystery The Hitch-hiker by Roald Dahl Carousel by Carol Silcock Captain Murderer by Charles Dickens The Case for the Defence by Graham Greene

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Book SynopsisOdi isn''t having a good day and it doesn''t get much better when he finds a key attached to a picture of himself, dressed as a clown! Odi is confused - he''s never worn a clown costume and can''t remember ever posing for a photo like this. When Odi confides in his best friend Eli, the two begin an investigation to find out what exactly is going on. Reflect is a series of emotionally powerful fiction and non-fiction with realistic settings, carefully crafted to promote thoughtful discussions and develop higher-level reading comprehension. Written by top authors and developed with Literacy expert Nikki Gamble, these are books you can trust to engage, entertain and support children''s personal development and wellbeing. The books are finely levelled, making it easy to match every child to books with the right depth and complexity, and helping them to progress. Each book contains inside cover notes to help children deepen their understanding and support their reading comprehension. Teachi

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Book SynopsisCammie may be an elite spy in training, but she's just beginning her most dangerous mission - falling in love.Trade ReviewThe most explosive and action-packed so far...absolute pure entertainment * adreamofbooks.com *A great book * Norwich Evening News *This book is absolutely incredible. * Teen Titles *I couldn't put it down. * Katie, 15 *I was so excited when I got this book I read it in 24 hours...11/10! * Toya, 14 *Tore through it in like 4 days, and really loved it. It's a nice guilty pleasure. * Aime, 15 *Best book in the world. * Ellie, 13 *Absolute pure entertainment. * A Dream of Books *A great book for teenage readers. * Norwich Evening News *

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Book SynopsisDanger. Glamour. Fun. Everything a Girl Needs.Trade ReviewAbsolutely unputdownable and completely gripping...everything that fans of this series will have been waiting for. Brilliant...engaging and ever...a fantastic and intriguing story. 10/10. An incredible series in which each book gets better and better * theguardian.com *Back for a sixth and final mission in the extremely popular, super-twisty and very addictive series * Bookseller *Fast-paced and popcorn-ready! * Publishers Weekly (on Heist Society) *Ally Carter is an author you simply can't miss. * Gripped into Books *Extremely popular, super-twisty and very addictive. * Bookseller *Trendsetting. * Bookseller *Absolutely unputdownable and completely gripping... everything that fans of this series will have been waiting for... 10/10... an incredible series in which each book gets better and better. * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisCelebrate 80 years of the Famous Five with this fabulous edition of the first book featuring a cover by Sir Quentin Blake. Join the adventure! Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the dog find excitement and adventure wherever they go in Enid Blyton''s most popular series - a landmark of children''s fiction, loved around the world for several generations. In their first adventure, the Famous Five find a shipwreck off Kirrin Island. But where is the treasure? The Famous Five are on the trail, looking for clues, but they''re not alone. Someone else has got the same idea! Time is running out for the Famous Five - who will follow the clues and get to the treasure first?Read it and discover out why readers from Lee Child to Gary Barlow, from Michael Morpurgo to Lorraine Kelly, love this classic adventure story.Trade ReviewThe prize must go to the adventures of George and co. Listed as one of the 100 Best Children's Books Ever (Novels) * The Daily Telegraph *The prize must go to the adventures of George and co. Listed as one of the 100 Best Children's Books Ever (Novels) * The Daily Telegraph *One of the 50 books every child should read by Age 16 * essexbaby.co.uk *One of the 50 books every child should read by Age 16 * essexbaby.co.uk *Famous Five books are essential for all children's bookshelves * MADEFORMUMS.COM *Famous Five books are essential for all children's bookshelves * MADEFORMUMS.COM *I thought this series was wonderful. It struck me as a great injustice that they were having adventures and I wasn't * The Sunday Telegraph *I thought this series was wonderful. It struck me as a great injustice that they were having adventures and I wasn't * The Sunday Telegraph *Dangerous criminals are no match for children and a dog. Adults are useless * Country Life *Dangerous criminals are no match for children and a dog. Adults are useless * Country Life *Always popular, always a favourite. And ALWAYS full of adventure * The Big Issue *Always popular, always a favourite. And ALWAYS full of adventure * The Big Issue *This book is so exciting you'll want to play detective yourself * The Week Junior *This book is so exciting you'll want to play detective yourself * The Week Junior *As the first set of 'grown-up' books I ever discovered I could read on my own, the Famous Five have a very special place in my heart. I still remember running through to my parents' room to tell them I could read well enough to go adventuring with the Five without their help. And with 21 books in the series, I had plenty of escapades to look forward to! * The List (Glasgow & Edinburgh) *As the first set of 'grown-up' books I ever discovered I could read on my own, the Famous Five have a very special place in my heart. I still remember running through to my parents' room to tell them I could read well enough to go adventuring with the Five without their help. And with 21 books in the series, I had plenty of escapades to look forward to! * The List (Glasgow & Edinburgh) *I loved so much of Enid Blyton ... the Famous Five were my favourites of all, so much so that I demanded to be called George for most of my early childhood * East Anglian Daily Times *I loved so much of Enid Blyton ... the Famous Five were my favourites of all, so much so that I demanded to be called George for most of my early childhood * East Anglian Daily Times *Pacey and passionate, this truly exceptional book tells a tale that truly needs to be heard * Lovereading4kids *Pacey and passionate, this truly exceptional book tells a tale that truly needs to be heard * Lovereading4kids *"The book is amazing and I can't wait to read the next one." 10/10 William King * Parent Talk *Her captivating stories enticed generations of youngsters to enjoy reading and books. * Sally Jenkins wordpress *Sure to be enjoyed by young readers discovering Blyton for the first time, as well as existing fans. * booktrust *They don't look a day over 12, yet The Famous Five are 70 this year - and their adventures are devoured every bit as enthusiastically by today's children. * Sunday Express *These ever-popular children's classics are still read and loved by today's would-be adventurers. * Springboard Stories Issue 2 *

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Book SynopsisSolve the mystery with the Secret Seven - everyone''s favourite detective club! These timeless stories are perfect for young fans of mystery, adventure or detective series. Also available in audiobook! In book seven, the Secret Seven have a fantastic new hiding place, but somebody else has been using it too. Whoever it is is going there at night, and the gang are determined to catch the cheeky intruder, whatever it takesSolve the mystery! Cover and inside illustrations are by the brilliant Tony Ross, illustrator of David Walliams''s books. The story was first published in 1955. This edition features the classic text and comes with a Bonus Blyton section at the back with quizzes, puzzles and other bonus extras! Enid Blyton , The Secret Seven and Enid Blyton''s signature are Registered Trademarks of Hodder and Stoughton Limited. No trademark or copyrighted material may be reproduced without the express written permission of the trademark and co

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Book SynopsisSolve the mystery with the Secret Seven - everyone''s favourite detective club! These timeless stories are perfect for young fans of mystery, adventure or detective series. In book ten, the gang witness the horror of a house going up in flames. Then there''s the theft of a very valuable violin. Are the two incidents connected? The Seven mean to use all their detective know-how to find out!Solve the mystery! Cover and inside illustrations are by the brilliant Tony Ross, illustrator of David Walliams''s books. The story was first published in 1958. This edition features the classic text and comes with a Bonus Blyton section at the back with quizzes, puzzles and other bonus extras!Have you read all 15 books in the original Secret Seven series by Enid Blyton? And don''t miss these other Secret Seven titles...Mystery of the Skull - a brand-new Secret Seven mystery by prizewinning author Pamela Butchart. Secret Seven

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Book SynopsisMeet Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timothy. Together they are THE FAMOUS FIVE - Enid Blyton''s most popular adventure series. All 21 titles also available as audiobooks!In book nine, the Famous Five are really worried - George and her devoted Timmy have disappeared. Not only that, somebody has broken into Kirrin Cottage. Could there be a connection? Will the Five find George and Timmy and bring them home safe?Fantastic new cover art by Laura Ellen Anderson will draw young readers into this accessible timeless classic.Trade ReviewThe prize must go to the adventures of George and co. Listed as one of the 100 Best Children's Books Ever (Novels) * The Daily Telegraph *One of the 50 books every child should read by Age 16 * essexbaby.co.uk *Famous Five books are essential for all children's bookshelves * MADEFORMUMS.COM *I thought this series was wonderful. It struck me as a great injustice that they were having adventures and I wasn't -- Alexander McCall Smith * The Sunday Telegraph *Dangerous criminals are no match for children and a dog. Adults are useless * Country Life *Always popular, always a favourite. And ALWAYS full of adventure -- Dan Smith * The Big Issue *

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Book SynopsisMeet Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timothy. Together they are THE FAMOUS FIVE - Enid Blyton''s most popular adventure series. All 21 titles also available as audiobooks!In book fourteen, George is not pleased when Berta, a spoilt American girl, turns up at Kirrin Cottage in the dead of night. But George hasn''t got time to be jealous, Berta is in hiding from kidnappers. The Famous Five are the only ones who can protect her - but will they take on dangerous criminals to help out a stranger?Fantastic new cover art by Laura Ellen Anderson will draw young readers into this accessible timeless classic.Trade ReviewThe prize must go to the adventures of George and co. Listed as one of the 100 Best Children's Books Ever (Novels) * The Daily Telegraph *One of the 50 books every child should read by Age 16 * essexbaby.co.uk *Famous Five books are essential for all children's bookshelves * MADEFORMUMS.COM *I thought this series was wonderful. It struck me as a great injustice that they were having adventures and I wasn't -- Alexander McCall Smith * The Sunday Telegraph *Dangerous criminals are no match for children and a dog. Adults are useless * Country Life *Always popular, always a favourite. And ALWAYS full of adventure -- Dan Smith * The Big Issue *

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Book SynopsisMeet Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timothy. Together they are THE FAMOUS FIVE - Enid Blyton''s most popular adventure series. All 21 titles also available as audiobooks!In book fifteen, the Famous Five go camping and pitch their tent near a ruined and seemingly abandoned cottage. When Anne hears strange noises at night the others don''t believe her... Until they see the ghostly lights. Is the cottage really haunted, or is there another, equally sinister, explanation?Fantastic new cover art by Laura Ellen Anderson will draw young readers into this accessible timeless classic.Trade ReviewThe prize must go to the adventures of George and co. Listed as one of the 100 Best Children's Books Ever (Novels) * The Daily Telegraph *One of the 50 books every child should read by Age 16 * essexbaby.co.uk *Famous Five books are essential for all children's bookshelves * MADEFORMUMS.COM *I thought this series was wonderful. It struck me as a great injustice that they were having adventures and I wasn't -- Alexander McCall Smith * The Sunday Telegraph *Dangerous criminals are no match for children and a dog. Adults are useless * Country Life *Always popular, always a favourite. And ALWAYS full of adventure -- Dan Smith * The Big Issue *

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Book SynopsisA funny and charming NEW young fiction series from Philip Ardagh, bestselling author of The Grunts series and Eddie Dickens adventures, and illustrated by Rob Biddulph, award-winning creator of Draw With Rob. Puuurfect for fans of Alex T. Smith, Pamela Butchart and Laura James. Meet Furry Purry Beancat – one extraordinary cat with nine extraordinary lives!   Just like every other cat, Furry Purry Beancat loves a catnap. But unlike other cats, when Beancat wakes she finds herself about to embark on a whole new adventure!   All aboard! There’s a mystery on the railway! Join Beancat and her friends as they uncover secrets and spies on the tracks. Who is the ticket-swapping, train-hopping stranger? Is Beancat’s beloved railway in danger? It’s up to our furry (and purry!) hero to solve the puzzle, before it’s too late.

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Book SynopsisEd Clayton is a liar. It started when his dad went to prison and now he can’t seem to stop. When his younger brother, Sam, goes missing one day, nobody believes Ed when he says he can’t remember what happened.He’s used to going without, but living without his brother is impossible. With the police and press asking questions and friends turning against the family, Ed is left trying to find Sam with only the help of his new neighbour, Fallon. When the two stumble on a secret that even Ed could never have imagined, it’s up to the liar to uncover the truth . . .A sensitive and engaging fourth novel about brotherhood, hardship and being yourself from the multi-award-winning author, Kim Slater.

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Book Synopsis'Immensely, cheerily silly' Guardian 'A thunderously good read, so funny and action packed. Children are going to love it!' Serena Patel, author of ANISHA, ACCIDENTAL DETECTIVE Grown an extra head and don't know why? Pocket money stolen by a green blob? Lost your peculiar pet? You need the Space Detectives! What seems like a simple case of a missing pet soon has the Space Detectives completely bamboozled! This is no ordinary pet – it’s a synthpet, where owners mix in different animals to make a totally unique one-of-a-kind pet. The missing pet has the body and legs of a cat, a duck’s bill, long rabbit-like ears and the scaly tail of a crocodile. A creature like that should be easy to spot, right? Not on Starville, the universe’s biggest space station where every inhabitant looks different – it’s like looking for a star in a galaxy. Where should our heroes Connor and Ethan even begin? Another out-of-this-world adventure awaits!Trade ReviewImmensely, cheerily silly * Guardian - PRAISE FOR SPACE DETECTIVES *

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Book SynopsisBob is the stationmaster’s dog at Puddle Train Station and a reporter for the Daily Bark, Puddle's best (and only) newspaper for dogs. It’s up to Bob to make sure the trains are on time every day. He has everything under control until the day he digs up the SCOOP of a lifetime in the park – a DINOSAUR skeleton! Suddenly Bob’s life isn’t running like clockwork, it’s running WILD, as he and the other News Hounds catch the scent of a dastardly dinosaur THIEF. Can Bob pull off a daring dinosaur rescue, or is he on the express train to DISASTER? This young fiction series by the author of Captain Pug is perfect for fans of The Secret Life of Pets and Toto the Ninja Cat.Trade ReviewA great book with lovely pictures and typography for five- to seven-year-olds who are starting to read for themselves and like dogs with multiple chins * The Times on COWBOY PUG *Gorgeous funny young fiction * Bookseller on CAPTAIN PUG *Zany … Even reluctant readers will have a blast * Irish Times on FABIO: CASE OF THE MISSING HIPPO *This neon-bright mystery involves a talent show, a hippo jazz singer, gallons of pink lemonade and, of course, Fabio * Metro on FABIO: CASE OF THE MISSING HIPPO *

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Book SynopsisThe 3rd volume of the beloved Miss Demeanor series is finally here. Red Nose Fred, a professional clown, has come to town to appear at children’s parties. Unfortunately, he’s also a jewel thief.Celia begins her Forensic II summer class following her successful investigation of The Case of the Crooked Cat. She meets Jimmy, a Native American boy from the Cherokee Nation, vacationing at his sister’s home in Connecticut. A new emotion troubles Celia, something she has not previously experienced.Is it love?

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Book SynopsisThings are going great for Hayley LeBlanc on the set of mystery show Sadie Solves It. But one day, things start disappearing from the studio-expensive things. Is there a thief involved? Hayley tries not to get drawn in, but when one of the missing items is found in her trailer, and her favorite makeup artist is blamed, she realizes she needs to do something. With the help of her two best friends, Hayley starts an investigation of her own. Can they find the real culprit before things get worse...?

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Book SynopsisA Young Adult Mystery Adventure set in Cornwall, by the 2013 winner of The Next Novelist. When fourteen-year-old Holly Champion's father sends her to an exclusive clifftop academy in Cornwall, she must race against time to save the people she loves and expose a chilling plot.

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Book SynopsisOn his return to London after serving in the Second Anglo-Afghan War as an assistant surgeon, Doctor Watson is looking for a place to live. He is introduced to a certain Mr Holmes, an eccentric, pipe-smoking gentleman who shows an interest in chemistry and is currently engaged in a test to detect human haemoglobin. What begins as a simple house-sharing enquiry soon turns into a fully fledged “study in scarlet”, a case of blood, murder and betrayal that will transport the reader from the streets of London to the early settlements of Salt Lake City in Utah…

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Book SynopsisArthur Rackham (1867-1939) was one of the leading illustrators from the golden age of British book illustration. Fairy-tale and fantasy were his forte and in later life he responded to the dark stimulus of Poe's gothic tales with gleeful appreciation of their macabre and otherworldly qualities, claiming afterwards that he had quite succeeded in frightening himself! For lovers of the thrilling and chilling, young and old, Poe's sensational stories cannot fail to hit the spot. This collection contains the best of his prose works, including of course the well-known masterpieces 'The Fall of the House of Usher' (the ultimate haunted house story), 'The Pit and the Pendulum', 'The Tell-Tale Heart' and 'The Murders in the Rue Morgue' (the very first detective story in fiction). First published in 1935 it has been redesigned, re-typeset and republished in a handsome edition which features all Rackham's original colour and black and white illustrations. A perfect gift - though not for the faint-hearted!

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Book Synopsis From the author of The Last Chance Hotel comes a brand new fantastical mystery series! Praise for THE LAST CHANCE HOTEL: 'Blending magical adventure with Golden Age crime mystery, this delightfully atmospheric spin-off from the author of The Last Chance Hotel confirms Thornton's place as one of the most original children's writers around.' WATERSTONES 'A jolly, atmospheric mystery.' THE TIMES Magic must never be misused ... When there's a murder in the village and a hag is heard howling at the local inn, secret witch Raven Charming realizes she could have a rival – one who practises the worst kind of magic. With the help of amateur sleuth, Mortimer Scratch, and Nightshade, a talking cat with a feline sense of detection, she sets out to solve what's been going on ... A magical murder mystery perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Harry Potter Book 1 in a new spin-off series from the author of The Last Chance Hotel, chosen as Waterstones Book of the Month and nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Award Features fan-favourite Nightshade as the star of her very own mystery!

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Book SynopsisBuild your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right levelFollow the life of a little boy called Oliver as he goes from being a workhouse orphan to a life with a group of young pickpockets. Will he ever manage to escape his life of crime? This wonderful retelling of the classic Charles Dickens story was written by Hilary McKay.This is a Band 11/Lime book in the Collins Big Cat reading programme which has longer sentence structures and a greater use of literary language. This is a retelling of a story by a significant author, and supports literacy learning around extended stories and significant authors. This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader. For more guided reading books in this Collins Big Cat band, try Wild Weather (9780007591282) by Chris Oxlade.

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Book SynopsisA nail-biting page turner written with cinematic sparkle - Jennifer Niven, bestselling author of All The Bright Places Think Serial at Malory Towers - Katie Lowe, author of The FuriesWelcome to the Magpie Society...Tragedy has struck Illumen Hall, a prestigious boarding school of tradition and achievement. The body of student Lola Radcliffe is discovered on the beach, and on her back someone has tattooed an elaborate magpie.For new student Audrey, it''s just another strange and unsettling thing about her new surroundings. For her roommate Ivy, the death of her friend Lola is something she''s desperate to get past - and Audrey''s presence isn''t helping. But the two girls are thrown together when a mysterious podcast airs, with a sinister headline: I KNOW WHO KILLED LOLA. AND ONE OF YOU IS NEXT.This edition includes the spine-chilling first chapter of THE MAGPIE SOCIETY: TWO FOR JOY.

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Book SynopsisIntroducing The Famous Five to younger readers with this NEWLY-CREATED story for children aged 5 and up!The Five are on a special mission to help create a little public garden to honour late Mr Tidyworth. But when Timmy digs up a shining silver necklace, they must find out who buried it and just how valuable it really is...Set in the world of Enid Blyton''s best-loved series, this newly created story follows Julian, Dick, Anne, George and Timmy the dog on a special new adventure. The story is broken down into short chapters with vibrant, full-colour illustrations on every page - perfect for shared reading or for newly confident readers to enjoy independently.Also look out for: The Birthday Adventure and Five to the Rescue!, illustrated by Becka Moor.Enid Blyton''s eight original short stories about the Famous Five are also available as early readers illustrated by Jamie Littler. Collect them all!A Lazy AfternoonGeor

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Book SynopsisOut of the Easy is set against the vivid backdrop of 1950s New Orleans. Written by New York Times bestselling author Ruth Sepetys, this novel has something for everyone: love, mystery, murder, blackmail and warmth.Josie Moraine wants out of The Big Easy - she needs more than New Orleans can offer. Known locally as a brothel prostitute''s daughter, she dreams of life at an elite college, far away from here.But then a mysterious death in the Quarter leaves Josie caught between her ambition and a clandestine underworld. New Orleans is luring Josie deeper in as she searches for the truth, and temptation beckons at every turn.Praise for Between Shades of Gray:''This superlative first novel by Ruta Sepetys demonstrates the strength of its unembellished language. A hefty emotional punch'' - The New York Times''. . . moving and heart-wrenching.'' - The GuardianRuta Sepetys was born and raised in

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Book SynopsisAn addictive thriller crossed with the darkest of fairytales that''s guaranteed to keep you up all night...THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED SEQUEL TO INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING NOVEL THE HAZEL WOOD Alice has fought hard for a normal life. Having escaped the Hinterland - the strange, pitch-dark world she was born into - she has washed up in New York City, determined to build a new future for herself. But when her fellow survivors start being brutally murdered, Alice must face the fact that the Hinterland cannot be so easily escaped. And that, from the shadows of her past something - or someone - is coming for her...Praise for Melissa Albert: ''Magical, mesmerising and inventive'' Karen McManus, bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying ''This book will be your next obsession'' Stephanie Garber, bestselling author of Caravel ''Insidiously beautiful'' GuardianTrade ReviewA lush and enchanting tale. Albert effortlessly draws on a wide range of literary references and builds a world where magic really does emerge from pages and where books are not just figurative but literal doors. Dreamy and disturbing in equal measure, it's the perfect antidote to a grey winter's day. -- Irish TimesAlbert's legion of fans will relish her return to the bloody, terrifying, seductive world of her debut and the inventive brilliance of her storytelling. -- GuardianDarker, bloodier and even stranger than THE HAZEL WOOD, THE NIGHT COUNTRY invites the wolf from the forest inside your home. A sinister jewel of a novel, like splitting a pomegranate and finding the inside filled with blood and rubies, every sentence of this book thrilled and chilled me to the bone. -- Melinda Salisbury, bestselling author of The Sin Eater's DaughterA charming, mysterious fable that unpacks what it means to be a story and whether we are all simply the stories we hear and tell. -- Cassandra Clare, author of the Mortal Instruments seriesWhat Albert renders on the page is audacious: with resounding success, she keeps a firm grip on her characters and their stories, and her prose weaves a magic of its own, animating the ever-expanding fantastical premise through lyrical language, striking metaphor, and a mastery of tone that forces readers to feel the magic along with the underlying emotional stakes. -- BooklistMelissa Albert deftly weaves her magic once again between our world and the fairy tale realm of the Hinterland. The Night Country is a new modern classic filled with wondrous delights and daring forays into the dark. Not to be missed! -- Kim Liggett, author of The Grace YearThe Night Country is so deliciously creepy?the kind of puzzle box nightmare you have to see through to the end. One of the most unputdownable books I've read in a long time. -- Emily X. R. Pan, author of The Astonishing Color of AfterPraise for The Hazel WoodThis eerie debut YA novel puts such a terrifying twist on classic bedtime stories, you'll not sleep a wink * Heat Magazine *Simultaneously enticing and fearsome, much like the Hazel Wood of the title ... insidiously beautiful * Guardian *A bewitching, elegant blend of contemporary thriller and dark fantasy * Observer *MAGICAL, MESMERISING AND INVENTIVETHE HAZEL WOOD KEPT ME UP ALL NIGHT . . . as I fell completely into the dark and beautiful world within its pages. Terrifying, magical, and surprisingly funny, it's one of the very best books I've read in yearsA WINDING, CREEPY, INSIDIOUSLY DELICIOUS NOVEL. UTTERLY SPECTACULAR - I read it in one sittingTHIS BOOK WILL BE YOUR NEXT OBSESSION. Welcome to the Hazel Wood, where bad luck is a living thing, princesses are doomed, and every page contains a wondrously terrible adventure - it's not safe inside these pages, but once you enter, you may never want to leave.Darker, bloodier and even stranger than THE HAZEL WOOD, THE NIGHT COUNTRY invites the wolf from the forest inside your home. A sinister jewel of a novel, like splitting a pomegranate and finding the inside filled with blood and rubies, every sentence of this book thrilled and chilled me to the bone. -- Melinda Salisbury, bestselling author of The Sin Eater’s Daughter

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Book SynopsisEnthralling children''s fiction for everyone who loves Robin Steven''s Murder Most Unladylike Mysteries and Frances Hardinge''s The Lie Tree.Twelve mysteries.Twelve authors.One challenge: can YOU solve the crimes before the heroes of the stories?These are twelve brand-new short stories from twelve of the best children''s crime writers writing today.These creepy, hilarious, brain-boggling, heart-pounding mysteries feature daring, brilliant young detectives, and this anthology is a must for fans of crime fiction and detection, especially the Murder Most Unladylike Mysteries, The Roman Mysteries and The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow.The Crime Club are twelve UK-based authors who are mad about crime fiction. Clementine Beauvais, Elen Caldecott, Susie Day, Julia Golding, Frances Hardinge, Caroline Lawrence, Helen Moss, Sally Nicholls, Kate Pankhurst, Robin Stevens, Harriet Whitehorn and Katherine Woodfine can be found anywhere there is a mystery to be solved, a puzzle to be cracked or a Trade ReviewI can't pick a favourite of the twelve because they were all so different and gripping; all I can say to all you other young sleuths out there is track down a copy of this book and read it. 5 stars out of 5 in my opinion. -- BookieCookie Guardian Children's Books The variety contained in these pages is breath-taking. There are poisonings, dog-nappings and a good number of crimes that seem, at first glance, simply impossible to commit. You'll be whisked from contemporary Britain to the eighteenth century and to Victorian London. You'll find yourself in theatres, grand country houses and the American suburbs, and you'll discover enigmas and puzzles concerning pearls, pineapples, poisons and poodles (to employ just one letter of the alphabet). All the clues are there on the page, there's no cheating or actually-I-never-told-you-but, so you can set to and get to the solution before Emily, Minnie, Marcel and co, or you can sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. You'll laugh, you'll gasp with shock, you'll admire their cleverness (and your own!) and you'll occasionally grind your teeth as adults step in at the last minute and take all the credit. But most of all you'll have lots and lots of fun. -- Linda Lawlor The Bookbag

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Book SynopsisExplorer: The Mystery Boxes is an exciting anthology of short graphic works by established artists and innovative newcomers in the comic and animation fields, who have each created a unique story on a central theme: a mysterious box and the marvels, or mayhem, inside. Collected and edited by Kazu Kibuishi these well-written, beautifully illustrated stories reflect a range of styles from the humorous to the fantastic.

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