The Mizzy Mysteries: A Skeleton in the Closet (The Mizzy Mysteries, Book 1)

By Author / Illustrator

Claire Hatcher-Smith, Yaroslava Apollonova, Lester Magoogan

Genre

Mystery & Detective

Age range(s)

Publisher

HarperCollins Publishers

ISBN

9780008645571

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

27-02-2025

Synopsis

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

12-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.

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Reviews

Sue

Mizzy dreams of being a detective - 'think Sherlock Holmes crossed with Rachel Bailey' - and is determined to let nothing stand in her way, not her Down syndrome nor her very protective family. Whilst staying with her cousins, Mizzy longs for a mystery to solve and finds one in the shape of her great aunt Jane's missing diaries, which seem to indicate that lady died in suspicious circumstances. Mizzy is on the case . . .

I love a good mystery and A Skeleton in the Closet fits the bill perfectly! Mizzy is a fabulous character. Resilient and determined, she knows she has good instincts for detective work and is positive that she can succeed. The first person viewpoint allows readers an insight into her inner worries: her fears about swimming and escalators; her frustrations - her clumsiness, her family treating her 'like a baby'; and her memories of people like Judy Mitcham at school, who laugh at her for being different, encouraging empathy and understanding of this lively, loveable girl.

Every time her investigations lead her to a dead end, she picks herself up and starts over, claiming to her family that she is doing a school project on her family. Resourceful and tenacious, Mizzy keeps going, even in the face of opposition. A great role model for all aspiring detectives!

Any Agatha Christie lover will quickly spot the similarities between Great Aunt Jane Maypole and Miss Jane Marple. Not only are their family trees full of familiar names, but place names - St. Jude's Junction (St. Mary Mead), Such Pelham (Much Benham), Gossington Avenue - play on the originals too. The plot is full of twists and red herrings, ultimately leading to a very satisfying conclusion which neatly ties everything together and proves that Mizzy the Marvellous is not to be underestimated! I really look forward to finding out what she gets up to next!

288 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher