But Hazel's hopes of relaxing amongst the beautiful spires, cosy libraries and inviting tea-rooms are dashed by the danger lurking in the dark stairwells of Maudlin College. Daisy's glamorous mother is throwing a tea party for Daisy's birthday, and the whole family is invited, from eccentric Aunt Saskia to dashing Uncle Felix.

Murder Most Unladylike - Penguin Books UK Murder Most Unladylike - Penguin Books UK

There's a puzzling array of suspects: a magician, a spiritualist, a wronged brother, a Russian Countess, and a British policewoman in glamorous disguise. Two instances of “bloody” as a British swear word, with Hazel commenting on how shocked she is that a teacher uses the word. But in the end, it is the impenetrable motivations of the untrustworthy adults around them that is the real mystery for protagonists and readers.It’s a blend of historical novel – set in the early 30s in a boarding school for girls – and old-school detective novels a la Sherlock Holmes.

Murder Most Unladylike - Robin Stevens

But when fellow passenger, Mrs Daunt, is brutally murdered and her diamonds stolen, Hazel and Daisy instinctively swing into action. I often find myself utterly unable to believe that children are better at this than actual detectives and also: what-are-these- children-doing-investigating-murders-don’t-they-know-how-dangerous-that-is?e. teachers are having sexual affairs, there are secret illegitimate children, people are murdered to cover up their sexual pasts and from passion and jealousy). An out-of-wedlock child sets many events in motion, and Hazel's school adventure begins, she says, when her father's concubine fails to produce a son. But the smart girls in this story need to hide the fact that they're smart to get along with their peers.

Murder Most Unladylike: A Murder Most Unladylike Mystery Murder Most Unladylike: A Murder Most Unladylike Mystery

I (40) got this for my daughter (8) but stole it and adored it so much that it is now MY book for good. But the Detective Society is never far away from danger, and it's clear there's trouble afoot at the Rue. Miss Griffin had become an unmarried mother, which at the time was not considered normal and would have affected her chances of becoming headmistress.Robin's books are: Murder Most Unladylike (Murder is Bad Manners in the USA), Arsenic for Tea (Poison is Not Polite in the USA), First Class Murder, Jolly Foul Play, Mistletoe and Murder, Cream Buns and Crime, A Spoonful of Murder, Death in the Spotlight and Top Marks for Murder.

Murder Most Unladylike: A Murder Most Unladylike Mystery: 1 Murder Most Unladylike: A Murder Most Unladylike Mystery: 1

Overall the book was a great addition to the series and wrapped everything up nicely- although it would have been nice to read about Beanie and Kitty! Robin is now a full-time author and the creator of the internationally award-winning and bestselling Murder Most Unladylike series, starring Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong, and the brand-new Ministry of Unladylike Activity.My favourite thing about the book though – beyond Hazel’s voice – is the girls’ own fraught relationship.