By The Book: Two mystery series that are serious fun for tweens | Parenting News,The Indian Express
Robin Stevens’ 'Murder Most Unladylike' series and Trenton Lee Stewart’s 'Mysterious Benedict Society' series offer adventure, thrill and an exploration of the nature of friendships and what it means to be different
Who doesn’t like reading about mystery and mayhem, when there’s a neat resolution to be had at the end of it? Here’s a look at two series that promise hours of good fun and some rather essential food for thought.
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Murder Most Unladylike Robin Stevens Puffin 325 pages Rs 399 Appropriate for: 12+ years
It is 1934 and despite the turmoil going on in the world, in the elite Deepdean School for Girls in England, girls from some of the country’s wealthiest and most prominent families are still gathering to earn an education and good manners to help them take their place in society. Hazel Wong is an heiress, too, except she’s not British. She has come all the way from Hong Kong to fulfil her father’s dream of getting his brightest child a British upbringing. Wong does her best to fit in, but it’s not always easy. She stands out because of her Asian features; because of the rumours swirling on campus that her father is a drug dealer than the banker that he is. There’s one girl, though, who seems to appreciate Wong’s sharp mind and makes sure that she doesn’t feel too out of place — the Honourable Daisy Wells. A fledgling friendship flourishes between the two, and, then, one night, when Wong sees the body of a mistress in the school gym that disappears by the time she returns with Wells, it seems obvious to both what the girls must do: form a detective society and investigate the case of the missing school teacher.
The first of her 11-part murder-mystery series, Murder Most Unladylike (2014) is a romp of an adventure, reminiscent somewhat of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five or Secret Seven series, but updated suitably to keep up with the times. Its creator Robin Stevens has spoken of the influence of the Golden Age of detective stories on her and it is evident in the way she draws up a canvas true to its time (though gliding over any direct historical references), with all the ingredients of a classic mystery — plenty of red herrings, some daredevilry and a kindly police officer. But what makes Stevens’ book, and the subsequent ones that follow, a treat is the fact that she introduces various important issues that are perfect conversation-starters with adolescent readers — on racism, class disparity and gender. Pick up book one for the unladylike pursuits of Wong and Wells and follow them around through the rest of the series for the ingenious pulse-racing adventures and realisations they bring on.
Rating: 5