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Brand new for 8- to 12-year-old murder-mystery readers in 2025, debut author Claire Hatcher-Smith’s unique detective heroine Mizzy will steal your heart! Perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Sharna Jackson.“Funny, tautly plotted and twisty debut with a unique and delightful heroine” Guardian‘A brilliant debut’ The Bookseller

Twelve-year-old Mizzy dreams of being a detective and she won't let anything stand in her way — not her reputation for tall tales, or her embarrassing fear of escalators, and definitely not her Down syndrome. Dumped for the summer with cousins who've outgrown her, Mizzy feels even more sidelined than usual. But when she discovers Great Aunt Jane's diaries in a locked wardrobe in their spare room, and realises her aunt didn't die in her sleep but under suspicious circumstances, everything changes. What's more … someone in the family appears to have been involved.

Under the guise of a family-tree project for school, and armed with a brand new set of Pipsqueak markers, Mizzy grabs the chance to prove herself to her cousins — and the world.

""Pacey and funny with a twisty plot and a fabulous heroine in Mizzy, A Skeleton in the Closet explores themes of being underestimated in a brilliant, relatable way. I couldn't put it down!” Phillipa Leathley, author of Inkbound: Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo

""This absorbing, accessible story makes for a perfect ‘first’ murder mystery – packed with all the right ingredients like clues, red herrings, twists and turns, but nothing gruesome or gory. A total delight!” BookTrust

“This makes our Top 10 because of its page-turning murder mystery, endearing heroine and cast of English eccentrics.” The Bookseller Children’s Buyers Guide Spring 2025

""Twelve-year-old Mizzy is a great detective, and when she uncovers an unsolved murder in her own family, nothing will stand in the way of her discovering whodunnit: not unconvinced cousins, disapproving parents or her own Down syndrome. Mizzy the Marvellous is on the case in this funny, tautly plotted and twisty 9+ debut with a unique and delightful heroine” Imogen Russell Williams, Guardian

“A wonderfully engaging and exciting book; fast-paced and full of fun, this story will appeal to children of a curious nature” INIS Magazine
By:  
Imprint:   FAR SHORE
Country of Publication:   United Kingdom
Dimensions:   Height: 198mm,  Width: 129mm,  Spine: 27mm
Weight:   220g
ISBN:   9780008645571
ISBN 10:   0008645574
Series:   The Mizzy Mysteries
Pages:   288
Publication Date:  
Recommended Age:   From 10 to 13 years
Audience:   Children/juvenile ,  Young adult ,  English as a second language ,  Preschool (0-5)
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Forthcoming

Claire has worked with children for thirty years and never met a kid she didn’t like (even the sticky ones). She believes every child has the right to be seen and heard, even if, especially when, it makes other people uncomfortable. Originally from the UK, Claire now lives surrounded by sea on Vancouver Island, with her partner, their son and a Korean rescue dog.

Reviews for The Mizzy Mysteries: A Skeleton in the Closet

'I relate to Mizzy in so many ways — our curiosity, our love for problem solving, and we both have big dreams. We also happen to have an extra chromosome in common, and I love that it's the least interesting thing about her! Mizzy knows who she is and she keeps following her path, even when others don't think she can. Mizzy IS marvellous!” Madison Tevlin, Host, Actor, Model & Advocate “Young readers will adore this unique and endearing new sleuth” Kenneth Oppel ""I loved it. It was fast-paced, tightly plotted and kept me guessing till the last minute. In Mizzy, Claire has created an utterly unique and instantly lovable new detective. I was rooting for her every step of the way and I love that a character like her has been put front and centre, and with such compassion and believability” Tom Vaughan, author of Hercules, The Diary of a (Sort of) Hero “A super detective story full of sleuthing, surprising twists, school projects, and shocking family secrets” Mel Taylor Bessent “I absolutely loved Mizzy! … A page-turning romp with an irresistible, irrepressible narrator, Mizzy truly is marvellous” Joseph Elliott ""A fun read! Mizzy and her family are larger than life in this new mystery caper. Move over Sherlock! Mizzy is here!” Maisie Chan


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