Murder most unladylike by Robin Stevens
Wells and Wong mystery, bk 1. Corgi Books, 2014. ISBN
9780552570725
(Age 11+) Recommended. UKYA
Book Bloggers Awards 2014 Best Crime/Mystery. It is 1934, and
at the exclusive Deepdean School for Girls, Daisy Wells and Hazel
Wong have set up a secret detective agency hoping to investigate
thrilling mysteries, and when Hazel discovers the body of the science
mistress, Miss Bell, in the gym, it looks as if their dream has come
true. Then the body disappears. The girls are certain that a murder
has taken place and as they search for the body, they uncover
secrets and motives that show there are many people who may have
wanted to kill Miss Bell.
Lovers of mysteries will revel in Murder most unladylike.
Its combination of boarding school mystique, two unlikely friends
and lots of danger keeps the reader glued to the page as Daisy and
Hazel begin to unravel the mystery in the school. The girls have to
use all their intelligence and ingenuity as they follow intriguing
clues and red herrings.
Murder most unladylike also won UKLA
Book Bloggers award for Best Friendship and it is this facet
of the story that makes it such an engaging read. Daisy Wells is an
upper-crust, highly intelligent and popular young lady, who is
always certain that she is right. Hazel Wong, who comes from Hong
Kong, is also highly intelligent and insightful, and had to use her
cunning to overcome the initial racial prejudice that she faced when
she arrived at the school. The friendship between the pair develops
throughout the book with each girl beginning to appreciate the
skills that the other has. The narrative is vividly told in Hazel's
voice, and the author skilfully shows the differences between the
background of the two girls, their interests and their acting
ability when hiding just how smart they are. Touches of humour add
spice to the narrative and ease some of the suspense in the book.
Readers who enjoy Nancy Drew books or boarding school books will
delight in the intrigue in the book as they follow the clues and red
herrings and are sure to want to read more in the series.
Pat Pledger