The Midwatch
By Judith Rossell Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Judith Rossell has made a name for herself as one of those rare creatures who can both write like a dream and illustrate her writing with quirky charming memorable images. She has illustrated many picture
PD McPem’s Agency for Mysterious Mysteries #3 The Baffling Beach Bandit
Written by Anna Battese Illustrations by Ruth-Mary Smith Reviewed by Melissa Elk The Baffling Beach Bandit is Case 3 in this engaging series of mysteries written for newly independent readers by author Anna Battese. It follows Case 1: The Recorder Racket, and Case
Detective Beans & The Case of the Missing Hat
By Li Chen Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Li Chen was born in Beijing, China, and moved to New Zealand when she was five. Detective Beans and the Case of the Missing Hat is her first graphic novel. Detective Beans, in trench coat and
Copycat
By Kelli Anne Hawkins Reviewed by Sophia Evans Copycat is the third children’s book by Australian author Kelli Anne Hawkins. Her previous books include The School for Talking Pets (2021) and Birdbrain (2022). Copycat begins with Chapter One titled - THE END which
The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-Bottomed Boat
By Charlie Archbold Reviewed by Sarah Custance Charlie Archbold received much critical acclaim for her first book Mallee Boys which became a CBCA honour book for older readers. The Sugarcane Kids and the Red-Bottomed Boat is her first middle-grade novel and was
The Dog Squad: The Newshound
by Clara Vulliamy Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Clara Vulliamy is also the author of Marshmallow Pie The Cat Superstar and the illustrator of The Book Cat, both of which show off her talents as writer and illustrator. With The Dog Squad she has
Riz Chester: The Counterfeit Bust
By R A Stephens Illustrated by Em Hammond Reviewed by Mia Macrossan R A Stephens runs publishing houses Wombat Books and Rhiza Edge, and also writes and edits individually both for their own company and for other publishers. They are primarily interested in
Rock Star Detectives: Murder at the Movies
By Adam Hills Illustrated by Luna Valentine Reviewed by Sarah Custance Australian born comedian Adam Hills is best known as the host of the comedy show The Last Leg, Murder at the Movies is his second book for children and the second
Astonishingly Good Stories
By R. A. Spratt Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd A. Spratt is a NSW-based author best known for the hilarious middle grade series Nanny Piggins, Friday Barnes and The Peski Kids. She also launched an extremely popular podcast, ‘Bedtime Stories with R. A.
Honour Among Ghosts
By Sean Williams Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Sean Williams has written over fifty novels including the CBCA Notable Her Perilous Mansions. Here he has created an intriguing fantasy mystery, characterised by the same quirky original magic of the world of Her Perilous Mansions.
Miss Penny Dreadful and the Midnight Kittens
By Allison Rushby & Bronte Rose Marando Reviewed by Barbara Braxton 1872. Miss Strickland’s School for Girls of an Enquiring Mind and Penny Pickering's mind is wandering, as it often does, in Miss Pugh's lessons. She's sketching ideas about what might happen
The Detective’s Guide to New York City
By Nicki Greenberg Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd The Detective's Guide to New York City is the sequel to Nicki Greenberg's debut middle grade mystery novel, The Detective's Guide to Ocean Travel. In the first book, we were introduced to thirteen-year-old Pepper Stark and
The Violet Veil Mysteries: A Case of Misfortune
By Sophie Cleverly Reviewed by Sarah Custance UK author Sophie Cleverly is best known for her middle-grade series Scarlet and Ivy, which is comprised of 6 books. The Violet Veil Mysteries is Cleverly’s newest mystery series with A Case of Misfortune being
Rockstar Detectives
By Adam Hills Illustrated by Luna Valentine Reviewed by Margaret McKay-Lowndes Comedians writing children’s novels is a thing. It started with David Walliams’ highly successful The Boy in the Dress. Funny men David Baddiel and David O’Doherty have also contributed to this trend.
Einstein the Penguin
By Iona Rangeley Illustrated by David Tazzyman Reviewed by Mia Macrossan This charming animal story is the debut novel of a young Oxford graduate illustrated in a zany cartoon style that perfectly suits the subject. It is set in London in late December. The
Once Upon a Crime: Murder Most Unladylike #11
By Robin Stevens Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd American-born British author Robin Stevens is the mastermind behind the incredibly successful middle grade series Murder Most Unladylike. The series includes nine full novels and two short story collections; Once Upon a Crime is the
The Detective’s Guide to Ocean Travel
By Nicki Greenberg Reviewed by Annaleise Byrd Picture book author Nicki Greenberg's debut middle grade novel, The Detective's Guide to Ocean Travel, is a riveting mystery story set aboard the opulent RMS Aquitania during the golden age of steamships and grand voyages. It's
Friday Barnes #9: No Escape
By R.A. Spratt Reviewed by Sarah Custance R.A. Spratt is the well-known Australian author of the Nanny Piggins, Peski Kids, and Friday Barnes series of books. Friday Barnes: No Escape is the 9th book in the series and the first to be
Scoop McLaren: Waves of Mystery
By Helen Castles Illustrated by Beatriz Castro Reviewed by Sarah Custance Helen Castles is still a fairly new author with Waves of Mystery being her second novel and the sequel to Scoop McLaren: Detective Editor. Click! the online newspaper that Scoop McLaren and best
The Lost Moustache
By Vikki Conley and Caterina Metti Reviewed by Mia Macrossan Vicki is the author of the charming Little Puggle's Song, also reviewed in StoryLinks. Caterina is a self-taught artist who studied science before pursuing illustration as a career. Together they have created
Premeditated Myrtle (Myrtle Hardcastle #1)
By Elizabeth C Bunce Reviewed by Zewlan Moor This book is like the younger readers version of Alan Bradley’s Flavia De Luce mysteries and Philip Pullman’s Sally Lockhart quartet. It features an unconventional, intelligent protagonist, with that arch tone commonly found in
Eco Rangers: Wildfire Rescue
by Candice Lemon Scott illustrated by Aska reviewed by Yvonne Mes This story of two adventurous, independent and eco-aware children on a mission is the third book in the series featuring Ebony and Jay, friends and eco rangers. In Wildfire Rescue, Ebony and Jay
Scoop McLaren Detective Editor
by Helen Castles Reviewed by Sarah Custance Helen Castles is a real life newspaper reporter with ‘Scoop McLaren Detective Editor’ being her first published book, the beginning of a series. Helen has wonderfully blended her actual reporter experience as (I’m sure you
A Girl Called Justice
by Elly Griffiths reviewed by Mia Macrossan This traditional murder mystery set in a 1930s girl’s boarding school has all the ingredients of a classic whodunnit. Justice Jones is sent to Highbury House School for the daughters of gentlefolk after her mother
The Pyramid Puzzle Starring Olive Black
by Alex Miles illustrated by Maude Guesne reviewed by Tyrion Perkins When I first picked up this book with its yellow picture of camels, pyramids and, girl in Cleopatra style costume, I thought it was going to be a mystery set in ancient
