Children’s / Teenage fiction: Crime and mystery fiction

Book SynopsisSome authors just write about it. Chris Ryan has been there, done it, and lived to tell the tale. This is the second in the action-thriller Agent 21 series by the real-life SAS hero.In the year since Zak Darke was approached by a shadowy government agency to become Agent 21, his world has changed completely. But there is no time to reflect on this - the undercover operations go on. Zak is sent to a port in west Africa, a known terrorist stronghold, under the guise of working ona charity volunteer project. But charity work could not be further from Zak's real mission - he must sneak onboard an enemy ship, gather information - and then destroy it. Never has Zak's training been more useful: Trust nobody.Trade ReviewRyan's own military experience is evident. It's this that allows him to describe Zak's gadgetry, such as his underwater dart gun, while conveying the emotions of a young man alone on a mission, struggling with issues of trust and morality. 4 stars * Live Magazine *

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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 pre-historic 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.---------------Strange lights, eerie sounds -- something spooky is happening at the museum. The ghostly goings-on centre on a dented Roman helmet. Could it be haunted? The Squad aren't convinced but what better place is there for a ghost to hide than in a museum full of seriously old and rather dead things? --------------------In the Case of the Roman Riddle, the Squad investigate ancient treasure, mystery mosaics and suspicious centurions 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.Trade Review'Mike Nicholson's book focuses on a space that does not receive much attention in children's literature, and there is a clear desire to celebrate museums as spaces of imagination and learning. There is a very interesting interplay between text and image in the book, as the story is interposed by numerous illustrations, graphs and quizzes that visually make the book very visually stimulating.' -- Armadillo'I just finished reading both books -- they are so much fun!'-- Ms Kirke Kook, Manager and Curator, Andrew Carnegie Birthplace Museum'All of the books in this series are fast-moving, filled with interesting facts that should spur readers on to their own explorations, well-written, fun and wonderfully illustrated with black and white drawings by Mike Phillips.'-- Youth Services Book Review'There is so much to love about this book. A quick shout out for those with dyslexic children the font and spacing is good as is the creamy pages. I realise there are many things to look at but it has had the thumbs up from a few customers who need to look at this before a purchase. [...] A great story and characters, lots of hands on interaction/involvement, fun illustrations, terrible jokes and a great read whether you are sharing your story-time or you are an independent reader.'-- Bookworm (indie bookshop, Selkirk)'It made me laugh and I really enjoyed the facts and I think the second one sounds like it will be really good.'-- Mairin, age 7 years'For Jonah, reading is not something that fills him with enthusiasm. Due to dyslexia and the complications it can bring to simply read a text, picking up a book is something that Jonah considers to be hard work. That is until with great enthusiasm he read 'Mammoth'. We had begun to read it together before he went to sleep but he couldn't wait for the story to end and so continued to read on his own! He loved the subject matter - mammoths are a big hit (!) and he really enjoyed the games and the quizzes. Within a few nights the book was finished and Jonah asked if we could buy the other book in the series. Completing a book on his own was a real confident boost to Jonah and he genuinely found the whole experience to be great fun. As a parent this was a joy to see! Thank you Mike for your brilliant books and your excellent storytelling. You captured the mind and imagination of a nine year old boy who never would have thought stepping into a book could be so much fun!'-- Parent of Jonah, age 9 years'My 7yr old loves to read. [...] She loved the museum mysteries which took her about a week to read each one. Her imagination has been gripped [...] All in these books have become a loved part of Anna's book shelves. Perfect for her age group. A page turner she can enjoy on her own with some words and phrases she'd not come across before to challenge her.'-- Parent of Anna, age 7 years'Grace absolutely loved them and devoured each one [both Museum Mystery Squad books] in a day. The characters and the plot really captured her imagination and she really enjoyed the way that facts were interspersed throughout (she loves a good fact!) The games and quizzes at the back were a big hit too -- she really enjoyed doing the "which character are you" quiz. I can always tell how much Grace genuinely enjoys a book by how long she talks about it afterwards -- the Museum Mystery Squad books were a good couple of weeks and would have been more if numbers 3 and 4 had been available. [...] Grace is very much looking forward to the next two books in the series.' -- Parent of Grace, age 8 years'Nicholson slips in fact boxes and a miniquiz as well as some red herrings to confuse matters. Phillips adds coded messages, screen shots, and diary pages to cartoon views of the squad in action. A final word-search puzzle (with answers) serves as both brain teaser and review. [...] The historical information is a bit flimsy, but deduction and slick detective work save the day.'-- Kirkus

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Book SynopsisCollins 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 has adapted her famous detective novels for English language learners. These readers have been carefully adapted using the Collins COBUILD grading scheme to ensure that the language is at the correct level for an intermediate learner. This book is Level 5 in the Collins ELT Readers series. Level 5 is equivalent to CEF level B2+ with a word count of 22,000 30,000 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 words Free online resources for students and teachers atwww.collinselt.com/readersThe plot:Mrs Boynton, a cruel and hated woman, is found dead in the ancient city of Petra. Was it just a weak heart and too much sun that killed her, or has one of Mrs Boynto

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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. 

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Scholastic Montegrappa Prize for New Children's WritingPoppy is thrilled that they're spending the summer at Smuggler'sCove. It might even take her mind off the mystery of her past. ButPoppy is about to make some amazing discoveries - and solve morethan one mystery...

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Book Synopsis'Password Emil!' If Mrs Tischbein had known the amazing adventures her son Emil would have in Berlin, she'd never have let him go. Emil is excited to be taking the train on his own for the first time. He doesn't like the look of his fellow passenger, the man in the bowler hat. Emil will just have to keep his wits about him and his money in his pocket. But Emil falls asleep and when he wakes up the man in the bowler hat is gone - and so is the money! Emil is determined to get it back. He teams upwith a gang of young detectives and so begins a hair-raising chase across Berlin to catch the dirty rotten thief...

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Book SynopsisTrade Review“The pacing is exquisite, a creeping horror that escalates into a waking nightmare and a combustive, satisfying conclusion… Readers who will soon be attending college and love classic literature, writing, or the dark academia aesthetic will find much to appreciate in this queer Gothic tale.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books “In this slow-burn psychological horror novel, Waters (The Restless Dark) creates tension around the pressures of class inequality and impostor syndrome, filtered through Tara’s acerbic first-person narration. Moody and disquieting prose combine with paranormal intrigue to drive this dark tale of exploitation and academic greed.” — Publishers Weekly “Stoker Award winner Waters pens an eerie academic psychological thriller perfect for the upcoming Halloween season… fresh, surprising twists, and an unexpected turn of events creates tension and mystery.” — Booklist “Gothic horror for fans of dark academia.” — Kirkus Reviews Praise for The Restless Dark: “A classic Erica Waters blend of tension, setting so real you can feel it in the room with you, and language so beautiful you can taste it.” — Wendy Heard, author of She’s Too Pretty to Burn “Attentively acknowledges the appeal of true crime while confronting the ways in which it can be exploitative. Employing a touch of the supernatural to create a consistently creepy environment, Waters crafts a smart and memorable thriller.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) “A satisfyingly twisty and refreshingly self-aware examination of human desires for self-knowledge and survival.” — Kirkus Reviews “Waters’ (The River Has Teeth, 2021) atmospheric, creepy psychological thriller combines true crime fandom, a queer love triangle, and a wilderness survival story…. [a] compelling, twisty novel where perception is compromised and reality is illusive.” — Booklist Praise for The River Has Teeth: “This genre-blending contemporary thriller offers a searing indictment of men who prey on women while the book’s fantasy elements offer a form of revenge and resolution… Potent, atmospheric, and wholly satisfying.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “A backwoods murder ballad of a book that draws from the old songs and legends that underpin so many areas of rural America. [The River Has Teeth] is well worth a listen.” — NPR "Soft and seething, with an undercurrent of longing and rage, THE RIVER HAS TEETH is the perfect story for anyone who is tired of feeling helpless. This book has teeth, too." — Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For the Wolf "Waters weaves a spell on the page, seeped with dark and murky magic, both beautiful and terrifying, just as her girls are beautiful and terrifying. Set loose upon the Bend, Natasha and Della are two forces crashing into one another with a strength that makes their world tremble." — Emma Berquist, author of Missing, Presumed Dead "Packed with monstrous magic and a wicked bite, The River Has Teeth is the perfect read for fans of Beware the Wild and Wilder Girls. Fierce and flawless." — Kat Ellis, author of Harrow Lake “Full of fierce women and wild magic, The River Has Teeth is a captivating story of love, grief, and the power of anger. From its eerie opening pages to its gripping finale, it kept me enthralled.” — Kate Alice Marshall, author of Rules for Vanishing “The River Has Teeth is one of those books I could not put down—even when I knew I should. The lush, haunting story gave me the most gorgeous nightmares I’ve ever had.” — Kylie Schachte, author of You're Next “With its witches, monsters, and missing girls, The River Has Teeth is a hypnotic, suspenseful read.” — Wendy Heard, author of She’s Too Pretty to Burn “This horror-tinged tale from Waters (Ghost Wood Song) spotlights issues of racial and socioeconomic injustice…. [A] lushly written story.” — Publishers Weekly “A cathartic portrait of two girls’ anger toward a world whose cruelty and injustice forced them to fight back. The River Has Teeth delivers ferociously good thrills.” — BookPage “Waters’ southern gothic thriller cleverly uses magic as a metaphor for the ways women resist the harm that men do.” — Booklist Praise for Ghost Wood Song: “What a gorgeous, creepy gem of a book, brimming with magic, mystery, music, and so much love that you’ll ache as if these characters were your actual friends. Ghost Wood Song weaves a captivating spell you won’t want to break.” — Claire Legrand, New York Times bestselling author of Furyborn and Sawkill Girls "Ghost Wood Song sings a high and lonesome love song to family, to place, to music, and to love itself. It will make your heart dance." — Jeff Zentner, Morris Award winning author of The Serpent King and Goodbye Days "These haunted pages are full to bursting with intricate family dynamics, a nuanced queer romance, and a crescendo of an ending readers won’t see coming. With notes of southern gothic and mystery, Ghost Wood Song will strike a chord with fans of The Raven Boys and Beautiful Creatures." — Rosiee Thor, author of Tarnished Are the Stars "Strikes the perfect balance of atmospheric chills, dark familial secrets, and a yearning for the warm comforts of home. I could hear the cicadas' call and feel the smothering humidity, even as I shivered!" — Erin A. Craig, New York Times bestselling author, House of Salt and Sorrows "Ghost Wood Song is a dusky, haunting daydream of a debut that hits all the right notes." — Dahlia Adler, author of Under the Lights and editor of His Hideous Heart “A gorgeously written debut filled with ghosts, a queer love triangle, a murder mystery, & a healthy dose of bluegrass. When you finish, you’ll want to turn back to page one and start all over again.” — Amanda Lovelace, author of The Princess Saves Herself in this One “Debut author Waters weaves an intense and spectral atmosphere with vivid prose…Haunting and alluring.” — Kirkus Reviews “Waters' debut features a bisexual lead with both male and female love interests, an atmospheric southern gothic setting, and, for the musically inclined, lots of folk and bluegrass references. For teens with a penchant for eerie ghost stories, this lyrical tale will hit the spot.” — Booklist

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Book SynopsisFrom the internationally bestselling author of Netflix''s hottest new show, One of Us is Lying, comes a new, page-turning thriller . . .True crime can leave a false trail.Four years ago, Brynn left Saint Ambrose School following the shocking murder of her favourite teacher. The case was never solved, but she''s sure that the three kids who found Mr. Larkin''s body know more than they''re telling, especially her ex-best friend Tripp Talbot. He''s definitely hiding something.When Brynn gets an internship working on a popular true-crime show, she decides to investigate what really happened that day in the woods. But the further she dives into the past, the more secrets she finds.Four years ago someone got away with murder. Now it''s time to uncover the truth . . .''Given that her high-school-based murder mysteries read like bingeworthy Netflix dramas, it''s easy to see why queen of teen crime Karen McManus is a bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic'' - ObserverTrade ReviewMcManus...brings that signature blend of high-stakes high-school drama and murderous twists readers won't see coming. * Booklist *Fans of McManus' previous five novels are in for a treat with this one * Forbes *

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Book SynopsisFrom the internationally bestselling creator of Claude and Mr Penguin comes a brand-new tongue-in-cheek murder mystery series, stylishly illustrated in black and white, and perfect for fans of Robin Stevens, Enola Holmes and Knives Out.When the tyrannical family patriarch Sir Ignatious Gristle is murdered on his 90th birthday at his country estate, every one of his gathered family members is a suspect. Trapped by a snowstorm with no way to contact the police, it''s up to his mettlesome granddaughter, Edna, and her trusted tortoise, Charles Darwin, to determine whodunnit!Full of head-scratching clues, page-turning twists and a lot people acting suspiciously this is the first in a funny, spoofy middle-grade murder mystery series from bestselling author Alex T. Smith.

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Book SynopsisThree unlikely detectives, one BIG mystery: the second book in the laugh-out-loud, illustrated mystery series from award-winning journalist and television presenter Nick Sheridan. Scooby-Doo for a new generation, perfect for fans of Pamela Butchart and Sam Copeland. It's the school holidays in Snoops Bay, and Riz, Olly, Drew and Anton are looking for their next adventure. When they decide to visit the town's most unremarkable tourist spot, Bony Beach, they're shocked to discover a long-lost shipwreck that sunk to the bottom of the sea with treasure aboard. But their exploration of the ruin is quickly thwarted when they come face to face with the phantom figure of the ship's captain, Horatio Huxley, and accidentally put a curse on Snoops Bay. Undeterred, our heroes vow to get to the bottom of the mystery once and for all. What kind of treasure is aboard the shipwreck? And who (or what) is so determ

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Book SynopsisIllustrated in full color and packed with character and humor, this is the fifth whodunnit mystery in the awardwinning Detective Gordon series, fun to read alone or aloud. A Case with a Bang is the final book in the series of funny detective stories for early readers set in a friendly forest in which two determinedly fair police—retired-toad Gordon and the indefatigable mouse Buffy—solve the mystery and stop regularly to eat cake. Night brings a horrible humming, scraping sound in the forest. Someone has wrecked the badger’s trash can. Later, three large creatures are spotted up on the mountain. Detective Buffy discovers this seemingly small case really is a dangerous mystery—she comes back from her first investigation flat as a gingerbread, rolled over by something huge and terrifying. Back at the station, retired Detective Gordon is training a new young police assistant, and the cakes have run out in the forest bakery! While all the animals cower at the police station, Buffy remembers Gordon’s stories about trolls. Is it possible they do exist? Taking Gordon’s advice about how everyone thinks differently, she finds a way to communicate with the giant creatures—perhaps not so terrifying after all. The book leaves readers with a memorable Gordon message: Everyone thinks differently, strangers are welcome, cakes for everybody! This final instalment in the awardwinning Detective Gordon series is a multi-layered philosophical story about good detective work involving all, kindness to newcomers and doing the right thing. Winner of multiple awards and accolades, Detective Gordon is a mystery series with depth—perfect for reading alone for emerging readers, wonderful for reading aloud together as a chapter book. Translated from the Swedish edition by Julia Marshall.Trade Review"Just as charming, gentle, wry, and entertaining as the rest of the series and anything that was created by A.A. Milne or Kenneth Grahame." -- Kirkus Reviews"A warm-hearted tale that readers will want to immerse themselves in. Instant classics, this series would make for perfect classroom read-alouds and a just-right match for chapter book readers." -- School Library Journal"Nilsson excels at writing imaginative, gently amusing adventures, laced with unpretentious bits of wisdom." -- Booklist, US"Full of humour, wit and a dash of philosophical whimsy...once you’ve read one you’ll want to devour them all!" -- Readings, Australia"Simple, colorful illustrations are adorable, the creatures and their evident emotions are captivating." -- Youth Services Book Review, US"another multi-layered, fun tale with lovely watercolour illustrations...a great start for kids stepping up to beginner chapter books." -- The Spinoff, New Zealand

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Book SynopsisAfter accidentally injuring his neighbor, Matt Sprouts thinks he has 'the Curse,” a hometown myth that ruins middle schoolers’ lives. To defeat the Curse, Matt decides he needs to solve the mystery—and FAST!—but that’s not easy to do when you’re entering middle school, keeping track of your little brother, trying to defeat the best soccer team, and oh yeah, not breaking any more toes. This book is a New York Times bestseller!NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERUSA TODAY BESTSELLER PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY BESTSELLER Eleven-year-old Matt Sprouts is in big trouble. He didn't mean to hurt his neighbor Jenna with that awesome martial arts move—it just happened! Blame it on morning cartoons or Jenna's lack of coordination. Any­ways, getting grounded is the worst thing that could happen, right?Wrong. After the incident spirals into a series

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Book SynopsisThe Times: Summer Reads, Best 20 Children’s books 2020 Toppsta: 100 most popular books of 2020 The Week: Summer Round up, Best reads of 2020 ‘Welcome to the Black Hound - a ship full o’ the cleverest pirate investigators ya ever set eyes upon.’ The captain pauses. ‘You OK, lad? Ya gone paler than a full moon.’ When Flynn applies for the job of cabin boy on the Black Hound, he doesn’t expect it to be a pirate ship! But soon he’s setting sail for the Seven Seas, on a perilous quest to recover ancient treasure bound by a magical curse. The first in a trilogy of three pirate investigator adventures!Trade ReviewThe Times: Summer reads: Best Children's Books of 2020;Toppsta: 100 most popular books of 2020;The Week: Summer Round up, Best reads of 2020;‘A fast-paced adventure with lots of fun, exploring themes of growing up, friendship and the danger of stereotyping.’ INIS magazine;‘A glorious mix of detective work, danger, slapstick fun and outstanding illustrations.' Lancashire Evening Post;'Illustrations that really have the wow factor.’ BookTrust;'I cannot wait to join the crew on their next investigation!’ My Shelves Are Full;'Memorable characters, plenty of playful language, and at almost every turn of the page, a terrific, finely detailed, etching-like illustration.' Red Reading Hub;'A brilliant twist on pirate stories, combining all the best bits with a mystery thriller narrative ... definitely one to watch.' The Book Activist;'An exciting, action-packed adventure highly recommended for children aged 6.+' English Association;'Sure to make a splash with younger readers stepping out on their own' Miss Cleveland is Reading

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Book SynopsisA steam train is slowly making its way through a terrible thunderstorm towards its destination. Suddenly, out of the darkness comes a lonely figure with a haunting message for the passengers This spooky tale, written by Alan Durant, has been beautifully illustrated by Dave Hill.Collins Big Cat Progress books are specifically designed for children at Key Stage 2 who have a Key Stage 1 reading level, giving them age-appropriate texts that they can read, building their confidence and fostering positive attitudes towards reading.Text type: A mystery storyCurriculum links: History; CitizenshipThis book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

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Book SynopsisIt''s the new funniest mystery detective series ever, from the genius behind the bestselling Barry Loser books!Super Weird Mysteries is a hilarious new series, perfect for readers aged 7 and up, and fans of DogMan, Pamela Butchart and Diary of a Wimpy Kid.Melvin, Rhubarb and Yoshi are on the hunt for a new mystery to write about in the Daily Donut newspaper, but little do they know, it's right under their nose there's something spooky in the sandwiches! Soon Rhubarb and co are sure there''s a ghost in her dad''s cool old retro lunchbox, but when no one believes them and the whole town is in danger it's up to the detective duo to investigate the haunted lunchboxes all on their own Things are about to get SUPER WEIRD again!Don''t miss all the other brilliant books by Jim Smith!Barry Loser: I am not a loserBarry Loser: I am still not a loser (Winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize)Barry Loser: I am so over being a loserBarry Loser: I am sort of a loserBarry Loser and the holiday of doom

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Book SynopsisMindblowing new novel from multi-awardwinning author, Margaret Mahy.Roland has everything a young man could wish for good looks, enough money, a cool relationship with his mother, ready wit, intelligence, a sexy girlfriend, a perfect school record. So the fact that he committed a petty crime and that, somehow, one of his teachers knows about it is something he can hardly explain to himself, let alone anyone else.The teacher, Mr Hudson, uses this knowledge to blackmail Roland into befriending the school misfit Jess Ferret. The reason he gives is concern for her wellbeing, but even Roland finds this rather far-fetched. And when Jess doesn''t respond to his confident advances, he becomes intrigued with the girl for his own reasons.Roland discovers Jess''s dark secret and also finds that he has one of his own

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Book SynopsisBuild your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right levelFlash Harriet, together with Gus, her pet tarantula, is back and on the trail of a new crime. Huge footprints have smashed up the local vegetable garden. Is it something to do with Marmaduke Mildew and the Giant Vegetable Competition? Or does the clue lie in the footprints themselves? Find out how our favourite detective solves the mystery.Ruby/Band 14 books give increasing opportunities for children to develop their skills of inference and deduction.Text type: A humorous story.The step-by-step review of the clues that helped Flash Harriet solve the case on pages 46-47 enable children to recap the significant events of the story.Curriculum links: Science: Helping plants grow well; Citizenship: People who help us the local police.This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

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Book SynopsisA stunning new look for Jenny Valentine's debut novel, winner of the Guardian Children's Fiction PrizeThe mini cab office was up a cobbled mews with little flat houses either side. That''s where I first met Violet Park, what was left of her. There was a healing centre next door, a pretty Sixteen-year-old Lucas Swain becomes intrigued by the urn of ashes left in a cab office. Convinced that its occupant Violet Park is communicating with him, he contrives to gain possession of the urn, little realising that his quest will take him on a voyage of self-discovery and identity, forcing him to finally confront what happened to his absent (and possibly dead) fatherTrade ReviewPraise for Jenny Valentine: ‘Valentine has the essential storyteller's gift of making you want to read on – and to know more even after the book is finished.’ Guardian ‘The award-winning Valentine has a keen eye for the idiosyncrasies of young children, and the rhythms of family life.’ The Bookseller ‘[Valentine] has a wonderful ability to take readers right into the hearts and souls of her central characters, and reading her is always a truly vicarious experience.’ The Bookbag Praise for Finding Violet Park: "Finding Violet Park is a wonderful debut." Guardian “Ultra-original and brilliantly written, this will have you laughing and crying, too." Mizz "Clever and totally assured, it is hard to believe that this is a first novel from a new author… [an] ingenious novel from a writer who already has much to offer. *****" Nicholas Tucker, Books for Keeps “Memorable and well-paced, this is a book to help young people grow in spite of adversity." Carousel "This is terrific stuff and quite unlike anything else I've come across…. a powerful and compelling story." Inis “First-time author Jenny Valentine has an original and exciting voice." Writing Magazine

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Book SynopsisBuild your child's reading confidence at home with books at the right levelWhen Alex''s dad drags him to Boswall and Sons, the local department store, he never expects to find himself thrown into a world of kidnap and spies. Written by Carnegie-nominated author Keith Gray, this fast-paced, exciting book shows that things aren''t always as they seemDiamond/Band 17 books offer more complex, underlying themes to give opportunities for children to understand causes and points of view.A mystery storyA plan of the department store on pages 54 and 55 allows readers to recap the journey the boys make.Curriculum Links: Citizenship: Choices.This book has been quizzed for Accelerated Reader.

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Book SynopsisReaders adore Blackbird:An unputdownable and suspenseful read'A beautifully written, heartbreaking story'A quick paced thriller with an unusual setting. This book will stay with me for a long time!'*************************************************************Olivia disappeared the night the blackbird died.It was New Year's Eve, the night that dead blackbirds descended, hours before Alex McCarthy's sister Olivia vanished from a party.Committed to finding out what happened to her sister, in their isolated Orkney village, Alex knows that dishevelled sometimes intoxicated Detective Inspector Birkens is her best shot.Yet as they uncover the secrets behind Olivia's last night, Alex starts to discover things she may have been better off not knowingPerfect for fans of One of Us is Lying, A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and Riverdale.*************************************************************Praise for N. D. Gomes: Gripping' Pretty Little MemoirsSo beautifully written' Goodreads reviewerTrulyTrade ReviewPraise for N.D. Gomes ‘At its searing best the novel demonstrates how the perpetrator of a despicable act can still be loved, forgiven and very missed’ Financial Times ‘A very important book […] a powerful book that will stay with you.’ Culturefly ‘An exceptional novel on a controversial and relevant subject today.’ The Bookbag ‘An incredibly moving, heartfelt and thought-provoking novel’ Black Plume ‘A gripping, eye-opening YA novel that I wish I could put in everyone's hands.’ Pretty Little Memoirs ‘You know this book is going to go straight to your heart and rip a little bit of it out.’ Long Story Short ‘If you’re after a truly thought-provoking book this is well worth a read.’ Bibliowormed ‘Utterly heartbreaking and so beautifully written.’ Goodreads reviewer ‘Such a clever book.’ Book Angel Booktopia ‘Very well written, and tackles a tough subject well’ – First News

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Book SynopsisCollins Big Cat supports every primary child on their reading journey from phonics to fluency. Top authors and illustrators have created fiction and non-fiction books that children love to read. Book banded for guided and independent reading, there are reading notes in the back, comprehensive teaching and assessment support and ebooks available.When Shinoy downloads the Chaos Crew app on his phone, a glitch in the system gives him the power to summon his TV heroes into his world. With the team on board, Shinoy can figure out what dastardly plans S.N.A.I.R. has come up with, and save the day.Location: Fenton MuseumOperative: Super-sneaky LazloMission: Find out who's behind thefts from the museum. Look out for the cheese!This exciting title is part of the Shinoy and the Chaos Crew series by Chris Callaghan.Purple/Band 8 books offer developing readers literary language, with some challenging vocabulary.Ideas for reading in the back of the book provide practical support and stimulating act

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Book SynopsisCollins Big Cat supports every primary child on their reading journey from phonics to fluency. Top authors and illustrators have created fiction and non-fiction books that children love to read. Levelled for guided and independent reading, each book includes ideas to support reading. Teaching and assessment support and eBooks are also available.A poisoned mouse. No witnesses. No weapon. No footprints. With the evidence pointing to one suspect, Sly is eager to solve her first case and make an arrest before time runs out for poor Molly. But for Detective Snooper something doesn't quite add up Emerald/Band 15 books provide a widening range of genres including science fiction and biography, prompting more ways to respond to texts.Text type: A mystery storyIdeas for reading in the back of the book provide practical support and stimulating activities.

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Book SynopsisBig Cat Phonics for Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised has been developed in collaboration with Wandle Learning Trust and Little Sutton Primary School. It comprises classroom resources to support the SSP programme and a range of phonic readers. The 7+ books are designed for children aged 7+ who need more practice to acquire phonics skills.Peaches the cat loves to sleep all day, but one day she notices a magpie stealing her neighbour''s belongings and she can''t ignore it, so she decides to take action! Will she be able to outwit this clever thief and return the stolen possessions back to their rightful owners?

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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 finds a stray dog outside her home, she might just have found her first case. Can she, along with her best friends at the Newshound newspaper, Simone and Ash, find Wafer's real owner? As the trail leads from one dead end to another, Eva realises that she might not want to get to the bottom of the mystery after all because won't that mean she just has to give Wafer back?With non-binary representation within the cast of characters, join Eva and her friends at the Newshound as they solve exciting new mysteries . . .

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Book Synopsis''A deliciously twisted gothic fantasy you''ll want to read again and again, with characters you''ll adore, prose that''ll spellbind you, romance you''ll swoon over, and a mystery that''ll keep you guessing until the last stunning twist''Diana Urban, author of These Deadly GamesMyra has a gift many would kidnap, blackmail, and worse to control: she''s a portrait artist whose paintings alter people''s bodies. Guarding that secret is the only way to keep her younger sister safe now that their parents are gone. But one frigid night, the governor''s wife discovers the truth and threatens to expose Myra if she does not complete a special portrait that would resurrect the governor''s dead son.Once she arrives at the legendary stone mansion, however, it becomes clear the boy''s death was no accident. A killer stalks these halls one disturbingly obsessed with portrait magic. Desperate to get out of the manor as quickly as possible, Myra turns to the governor''s older son for help completing tTrade Review‘A heady blend of the fantastical, the murderous, and the romantic’ Kirkus Reviews, STARRED review ‘A triumphant second novel, Olson's not-to-be-missed tale of intrigue has something for everyone’ School Library Journal, STARRED review ‘Marvelously magical and steeping with mystery, A Forgery of Roses checks all the boxes you could want in a fantasy. With a highly creative magic system reminiscent of The Picture of Dorian Gray and a lush romance, Olson's newest is an absolute stunner that's sure to be a crowd pleaser’ Adalyn Grace, New York Times bestselling author of All the Stars and Teeth ‘A Forgery of Roses is a haunted gallery filled with secrets, ominous footsteps through a fog-wreathed city at midnight, and the fierce magic of a sister's love. Jessica Olson paints a multilayered narrative of romance and mystery that will hold readers in suspense until the final chapters’ Lyndall Clipstone, author of Lakesedge ‘A deliciously twisted gothic fantasy you'll want to read again and again, with characters you'll adore, prose that'll spellbind you, romance you'll swoon over, and a mystery that'll keep you guessing until the last stunning twist. A Forgery of Roses is totally addicting and captivating, and I already can't wait to re-read it!’ Diana Urban, author of These Deadly Games ‘Both fascinating and novel . . . it will attract fantasy fans as well as the artistically inclined’ Booklist

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Book SynopsisMabel Jones is ready for her second unlikely adventure - another hilarious story by Will Mabbitt, illustrated by Ross Collins.What would you do if hungry vines emerged from your wardrobe and stole your baby sister?If you''re Mabel Jones and afraid of nothing, you''d follow!Between Mabel and her goal is a dangerous jungle, filled with deadly monsters and poisoned jelly babies. Can she defeat the Witch Queen and rescue her sister, or is this the last we''ll see of Mabel Jones . . .?Trade ReviewThe irreverent wit plus fabulous embellishments by Ross Collins will swash your buckles * Sunday Times *Delightfully nasty, bonkers piratical fun. I laughed out loud on the Tube!' * Robin Stevens, bestselling author of Murder Most Unladylike *Think The Mighty Boosh for 8-year-olds with a dash of Lemony Snicket thrown in. Although Mabbitt has a voice all of his own. * The Times *Anarchic, adventurous and extremely funny, this is a fantastic debut at the younger end of middle-grade. * The Bookseller *

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Book SynopsisElla Black seems to live the life most other seventeen-year-olds would kill for . . . Until one day, telling her nothing, her parents whisk her off to Rio de Janeiro. Determined to find out why, Ella takes her chance and searches through their things.And realises her life has been a lie.Her mother and father aren''t hers at all. Unable to comprehend the truth, Ella runs away, to the one place they''ll never think to look - the favelas.But there she learns a terrible secret - the truth about her real parents and their past. And the truth about a mother, desperate for a daughter taken from her seventeen years ago . . .Trade ReviewBarr is superb at evoking the heightened emotions of adolescence: the exhilarating thrill of first love, the intensity of fear and rage at adults' deception and the need to discover one's own identity. With disturbing undertones, vivid characters and authentic dialogue, this is a worthy successor to her wonderful debut, The One Memory of Flora Banks * Daily Mail *Evoking Ella's intoxicating new surroundings while skewering the facile assumptions of "poverty tourism", Barr's second YA novel is a fast-paced, dramatic search for answers to the secrets of the self * Guardian *Colourful setting and pacy plot. If you like dark fiction you'll devour it * Heat *Emily Barr already proved she could hit all the right teen-fiction notes in last year's The One Memory of Flora Banks. This taps the same vein. Ella's parents are doting to the point of smothering but they don't know about the dark and twisty part of her that threatens to destroy everything * i *

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Book SynopsisA reissue of a much-loved adventure which has stood the test of time and is as exciting today as when it was first published nearly 70 years ago. It all begins when Nick breaks the classroom window with his football, and the Headmaster says Nick has to pay for the damage. Nick has no more hope of raising the money than of going to the Moon, so that''s when rivalling Ted''s and Toppy''s gangs decide to sign a truce and plan Operation Glazier to get the money for Nick. The plan goes smoothly and soon the money has been collected, but when it goes missing the boys turn detective to try and find the culprit.

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Book SynopsisEveryone''s favourite game maker, Mr Lemoncello, is testing out his new FABULOUS FACT-FINDING FRENZY game! Kyle must compete in a great race - by bicycle, bookmobile, and even Mr. Lemoncello''s corporate banana jet! - to find fascinating facts about famous Americans.But then a few surprising ''facts'' surface about Mr Lemoncello . . . Could Kyle''s hero be a fraud? Kyle and the other kids will have to dig deep to find out the truth before it''s GAME OVER for Mr Lemoncello . . . !Trade ReviewAn ode to libraries and literature that is a worthy successor to the original madman puzzle-master himself, Willy Wonka * Booklist *Just as much of an adventure as the first * Washington Post *

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Book SynopsisA suspenseful psychological YA mystery; perfect for fans of We Were Liars and 13 Reasons Why. ---------------Jessa Whitworth needs to uncover the truth about her ex-boyfriend''s death. She didn''t belong in Caleb''s room. But she couldn''t deny she was everywhere. Even in the dragonfly necklace in his jeans pocket... the one she gave him to look after on that day. His family blame her for his death, but still make her box up his room. As she packs up his life, piece by piece, memories are triggered that make Jessa realise Caleb may not have been how she remembers. Did she ever really know him at all? And what really happened the night he died?

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Book SynopsisTFW you wake up and realise you''re trending... #GirlOutoftheWoods Arty has always lived in the Clearing, a commune hidden in the forests of south India. But her happy life, separate from the rest of the world, is shattered after a terrible event. For the first time, Arty must leave her home, and head into the intriguing but frightening outside world. On the streets of India, a chance encounter leads to her becoming an unwilling overnight celebrity. As she embarks on her journey, she discovers she is being followed by thousands of strangers, who seem to know her every move...Forced to fight against mysterious hashtags and being constantly photographed, how can she find the help she desperately needs? Everything is changing too fast for this girl who came out of the woods... could she be running into a trap? The new thriller from the acclaimed author of The One Memory of Flora Banks, perfect for fans of Karen McManus, E. Lockhart and Sophie McKenzie.Praise for The Girl Who Came Out of the Woods:''Compelling and brilliantly written''- Fabulous Magazine''Barr brilliantly captures Arty''s naivety and eager innocence as she''s swept up in the globalised world of capitalism and social media''- The Observer ''A pacey, original thriller'' - The Guardian ''Arty''s fresh insights into the world make for an amusing, poignant story'' - The Sun

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Book SynopsisThe New York Times Bestseller ''An addictive Jilly Cooperesque saga'' Guardian''A fun, fast-paced read packed with drama, scandal and romance'' The SunCrazy Rich Asians meets The Crown in this completely addictive modern-day royal romance.The Washingtons have ruled America for almost 250 years. They''re gorgeous, fiercely famous and the beating heart of the most glorious royal court in the world. But behind the glittering ballrooms, elegant gowns, and seemingly perfect public personas lie forbidden romances and scandalous secrets. Together four young women will navigate gossip, drama, and the eyes of the world upon them. There''s everything to play for - but there can only be one queen.This is the story of the most famous family in the world.This is the story of the American royals.Trade ReviewScandals, romance and betrayal abound [...] pure escapism * Mail on Sunday - 'Must-Read Books of the Year' *An addictive Jilly Cooperesque saga * Guardian *A fun, fast-paced read packed with drama, scandal and romance * The Sun *With the seemingly endless influx of new novels hitting the real and virtual bookshelves every day, the choice can seem overwhelming. But, occasionally a novel comes along with the promise of delivering escapism by way of a subject matter - royals, romance and a Gossip Girl-esque scandal - that is a no-brainer must-read . . . American Royals [is] just such a novel set to ignite and delight book clubs and literary-loving fans of The Princess Diaries, Gossip Girl, The Crown or even just the real-life British royals. * Vogue Australia *There's enough palace intrigue, royal shenanigans, and even a smidgen of sex to satisfy anyone who loves a bit of gossip . . . An entertaining royal family modeled after the residents of Buckingham Palace. * Kirkus Reviews *McGee crafts a deliciously soapy American royal family . . . McGee's characters are well-crafted and flawed, giving the narrative emotional texture that elevates it above the dramatic formula * Publishers Weekly *For readers looking for intrigue-and for those who like their royal fever with a twist-this is a quick and delicious read * Booklist *A fun twist on history as we know it, and the ending will have readers hoping for a sequel * School Library Journal *I really enjoyed this book. For me it was The Crown meets Gossip Girl which was always going to be a fun combination. The structure, pace and characterisation made this an easy and very enjoyable read. * BookBag *Relatable, believable, fantastical, aspirational, and completely addictive . . . I loved, loved, loved this book * Sara Shepard, author of Pretty Little Liars *Inventive, fresh, and deliciously romantic - an absolute delight! * Sarah J. Maas, author of Throne of Glass *

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Book SynopsisA set of 6 much-loved stories from classic English literature for children, brought together by Puffin Classics in beautiful paperback cover designs.From the strange case of ''The Red-Headed League'' to the extraordinary tale of ''The Engineer''s Thumb'', Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr Watson grapple with treachery, murder, and ingenious crimes of all kinds. But no case is too challenging for the immortal detective''s unique power of deduction.In the same collection:PETER PANOLIVER TWISTALICE''S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLANDFIVE CHILDREN AND ITGULLIVER''S TRAVELS

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Book SynopsisPhilip Pullman was born in Norwich and educated in England, Zimbabwe, Australia and Wales. He studied English at Exeter College, Oxford.His first children's book, Count Karlstein, was published in 1982. To date, he has published thirty-three books, read by children and adults alike. His most famous work is the His Dark Materials trilogy. These books have been honoured by several prizes including the Carnegie Medal, the Guardian Children's Book Prize, and (for The Amber Spyglass) the Whitbread Book of the Year Award - the first time that prize had been given to a children's book. Pullman has received numerous other awards, including the Eleanor Farjeon Award and the Astrid Lindgren Award. He was knighted in the 2019 New Year's Honours List for Services to Literature.Trade Review[Serpentine] brings with it all the familiar delights of Pullman's work: its effortless clarity, its intelligence, its ineffable mix of coziness and darkness, innocence and experience.—Lev Grossman - New York TimesTom Duxbury's linocut-inspired illustrations give Serpentine a handsome look and accessible feel . . . Serpentine offers aficionados a poignant return to Lyra and Pan.—Wall Street JournalForeshadowing the events of The Secret Commonwealth, this gorgeously illustrated volume is a treat for fans of the fantasy.—Sunday Mirror

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Book SynopsisBrought to you by Puffin.Fans of THOR and THE INCREDIBLES will not want to miss this epic superhero adventure with a twist from Radio 1 broadcasters and bestselling authors of KID NORMAL and THE GREAT DREAM ROBBERY.Super hero. Super DEAD!It''s just another day at the office for world-famous superhero Doctor Extraordinary as he battles his arch-nemesis Captain Chaos in yet another epic showdown. Unfortunately this one doesn''t quite go to plan and they both get blown up inside a giant robot.Dr Ex''s number-one-fan, twelve-year-old Sonny Nelson, is devastated. A world without heroes is totally rubbish! But things take an even more extraordinary turn when Doctor Ex returns as a ghost and only Sonny can see him . . .Readers LOVE The Great Dream Robbery:''I wanna be a member of the Dream Bandits!''''Escapist and daft and just a whole lot of fun''''Thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to c

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Book SynopsisFrom award-winning YA author Alison Gervais comes a contemporary mystery about a teen writer determined to discover what happened to a missing classmate, who finds herself caught up with a pair of very familiar detectives named Watson and Holmes. All her awakening powers of observation will be put to the test as she finds that the thing she thought was holding her back just might be her greatest strength.Attending the prestigious Ashford College’s writing seminar is a dream come true for Jules Montgomery, but the summer isn’t unfolding as she hoped. Navigating London with her recent hearing loss is difficult, and hiding it from her classmates is a challenge. Even worse, she can’t seem to shake a case of writer’s block. When a fellow student goes missing, neither the police nor their teacher, Professor Watson, seem that concerned. Jules and her new friends Percy and Suruthi are determined to get to the bottom of the case and they’

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Book Synopsis'A clever page-turner that I couldn’t put down.' —Natasha Preston, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author​Determined to escape menacing families, two desperate teens fake their own deaths in this queer contemporary thriller perfect for fans of Karen McManus. In one week Maude will be dead. At least, that’s what she wants everyone to think. After years of research, Maude has decided to fake her own death. She’s figured out the how, the when, the where, and who will help her unsuspectingly. The why is complex: revenge, partly. Her terrible parents deserve this. But there’s also 'l’appel du vide,' the call of the void, that beckons her toward a new life where she will be tied to no one, free and adrift. Then Frankie, a step-cousin she barely knows, figures out what she’s plotting, and the plan seems like it’s ruined. Except Frankie doesn’t want to rat her out—F

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Book Synopsis★ 'A razor-sharp sequel' —Kirkus Reviews, starred reviewNew York Times bestselling author Ellie Marney returns with an electrifying, chilling thriller that follows junior FBI consultants Travis Bell and Emma Lewis with a new case that may unravel everything they’ve been working for. After a harrowing encounter with juvenile sociopath Simon Gutmunsson, junior FBI consultants Emma Lewis and Travis Bell went their separate ways: Emma rejected her Quantico offer, and Travis stayed to train within a new unit of the Behavioral Science division. But the unit’s latest case is feeling eerily familiar, and Kristin Gutmunsson—Simon's eccentric twin—reaches out to Travis to send a warning: Emma is in peril.   When new evidence points to a copycat of Daniel Huxton, the serial killer that she escaped, Emma returns to Quantico and is thrown back into her past traumas. Compelled to prevent more tragedy—even if it means putting herself in danger—she looks to Simon once again. But can he be trusted to help stop the killer before time runs out for his next victims?

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Book SynopsisJada Sly, a hilarious and spunky artist and spy, explores New York City on a mission to find her mom in this fast paced, fun illustrated novel from an acclaimed author (School Library Connection).Ten-year-old Jada Sly is an artist and a spy-in-training. When she isn''t studying the art from her idols like Jackie Ormes, the first-known African American cartoonist, she''s chronicling her spy training and other observations in her art journal.Back home in New York City, after living in France for five years, Jada is ready to embark on her first and greatest spy adventure yet. She plans to scour New York City in search of her missing mother, even though everyone thinks her mom died in a plane crash. Except Jada, who is certain her mom was a spy, too.With the stakes high and danger lurking around every corner, Jada will use one spy technique after another to unlock the mystery of her mother''s d

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Book SynopsisThe team of code-crackers face a new code that has never been solved. Brodie, Hunter and Tusia are back at Station X, the secret code-cracking station at Bletchley Park. And they are still wrestling with the great unanswered question: what secret lies behind the ancient, coded Voynich Manuscript? Their first adventure left them with a musical box that plays a tune by the composer, Elgar. Elgar loved codes. At once they are off on a new search which takes them to the stories behind Elgar''s famous music and a coded letter he wrote to a young friend, Dorabella. The ''Dorabella Cipher'' has never, ever been solved. Now our team of code-breakers are on a twisting trail via medieval book burnings in Florence, a mysterious boy known as the Orphan of the Flames, and a one-time famous prisoner in London''s Newgate Prison who wrote about King Arthur. Where is it all leading? And will they survive, when hot on their trail is a secret organisation that has always thwarted the search forTrade ReviewA beautifully drawn together story. * parentsintouch.co.uk *Dennis mixes complex code breaking theories with humour and excitement to produce this action packed adventure * School Librarian *Dennis mixes complex code breaking theories with humour and excitement to produce this action packed adventure. * School Librarian *

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Book SynopsisAn extraordinary series with real codes, real mysteries and real danger.Trade Review'... 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 *Fast-moving, exciting and full of suspense, this is an excellently constructed novel that will enthrall readers and have them guessing all the way through * Parents In Touch *'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 *Fast-moving, exciting and full of suspense, this is an excellently constructed novel that will enthrall readers and have them guessing all the way through. * Parents In Touch *

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Book SynopsisHilarious action adventure for readers aged 8 and up, featuring the world's most unexceptional spies. You think spies are clever and cool and mysterious? Think again . . . The second book in a hilarious new series about unexceptionals from author Gitty Daneshvari!Trade ReviewDivided into chapters and accompanied by black and white illustrations, it contains plenty of mystery, mayhem and humour. * Book Trust *

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