Our children’s book of the month for February is Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens
Unladylike – the blurb
When Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong set up their very own secret detective agency at Deepdean School for Girls, they struggle to find any truly exciting mysteries to investigate. (Unless you count the case of Lavinia’s missing tie. Which they don’t.)
Then Hazel discovers the Science Mistress, Miss Bell, lying dead in the Gym. She assumes it was a terrible accident – but when she and Daisy return five minutes later, the body has disappeared. Now Hazel and Daisy not only have a murder to solve: they have to prove one happened in the first place.
Determined to get to the bottom of the crime before the killer strikes again (and before the police can get there first, naturally), Hazel and Daisy must hunt for evidence, spy on their suspects and use all the cunning and intuition they can muster. But will they succeed? And can their friendship stand the test?
No St Trinians
If you’re like me you grew up reading Mallory Towers, St Clare’s and various other boarding school books about girls whose biggest problems were sneaking a fruit cake past the House Mistress. It’s an experience far removed from most children today so an unusual setting for the book. Especially as it wasn’t set in modern day but in the 1930s. Yet Stevens somehow manages to make it feel timeless. Problems such as racism, moulding yourself to fit in and friendship are just as relevant to today’s children as they were back then. It’s the similarities rather than the differences that Stevens picks on and it works.
That’s not to say the book felt modern. The investigation and reveal were very Agatha Christie. I genuinely found it suspenseful. I didn’t guess the ending and loved how the girls worked it all out. At first I was convinced that there wasn’t going to have been a murder, it was all some sort of drama club misunderstanding. The book twists so well anything could be a possibility. And it was all set amongst a background of bun breaks, hockey sticks and midnight feasts. Bravo to Stevens. The book is fab and was loved equally by my 11 year old.
Book club questions
+++ These questions contain spoilers and should only be used if you have read the book already!+++
- Have you read any books set in a boarding school before? How did they differ from A Murder Most Unladylike. How were they similar?
- What is your favorite biscuit? Can you find out what a Squashed Fly is? Can you even have a go at making them? Dare you eat one!
- Who do you think was the better detective Daisy or Hazel? Could they have solved the murder without the other one or do you think their differing styles both helped to solve the case?
- When Hazel first arrives in England she finds the weather very cold and the food not spicy. What food is eaten in Hong Kong? What is the weather like? Can you find it on a map? Can you draw a poster all about Hong Kong?
- When did you guess the murderer? Did you change your mind as to who it was like Daisy and Hazel did?
- Will you read the next book in the series (Arsenic for Tea)?
If you would like to join in with our Children’s Book of the Month keep your eyes peeled when we announce March’s book in a few days time. Our review with book club questions is usually posted on the last Monday of the month and you can check out previous Book of the Months such as Orion Lost by Alastair Chisholm by clicking on the Young Adult/Kids button at the top of our Home Page. In the meantime we would love to see what you have been reading.
