I received this book for free from the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Premeditated Myrtle (Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery 1) by Elizabeth C. Bunce Narrator: Bethan Rose Young
Series: Myrtle Hardcastle Mysteries #1
Published by Algonquin Young Readers, Recorded Books on October 6, 2020
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories
Length: 8 hours 12 minutes
Pages: 368
Format: Audiobook, Paperback
Source: Library, Publisher
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A 2021 Edgar® Award Winner, Best Juvenile
A BookPage Best Book of 2020: Middle Grade
A Mighty Girl's 2020 Books of the YearIntroducing Myrtle Hardcastle, your favorite new amateur detective: a wickedly smart twelve-year-old with a keen interest in criminology and a nose for murder.
Twelve-year-old Myrtle Hardcastle has a passion for justice and a Highly Unconventional obsession with criminal science. Armed with her father’s law books and her mum’s microscope, Myrtle studies toxicology, keeps abreast of the latest developments in crime scene analysis, and Observes her neighbors in the quiet village of Swinburne, England.
When her next-door neighbor, a wealthy spinster and eccentric breeder of rare flowers, dies under Mysterious Circumstances, Myrtle seizes her chance. With her unflappable governess, Miss Ada Judson, by her side, Myrtle takes it upon herself to prove Miss Wodehouse was murdered and find the killer, even if nobody else believes he —not even her father, the town prosecutor.
With sparkling wit and a tight, twisty plot, Premeditated Myrtle, the first in a series from an award-winning author, introduces a brilliant young investigator ready to take on hard cases and maddening Victorian rules for Young Ladies of Quality in order to earn her place among the most daring and acclaimed amateur detectives of her time or any other.
This was great! Myrtle was such an intelligent girl and I loved the fact that the adults in her life supported her and were a significant part of the story. The crime in this story was surprisingly complex and kept me guessing until the end. I was hooked by this story early on and found it almost impossible to set aside. Where were middle-grade books like this when I was younger?
12-year-old Myrtle is a fantastic character. She is more intelligent than most of the adults in the story and is always looking into something and constantly making observations. When a neighbor dies, Myrtle decides that she needs to look into it and she will stop at nothing to get to the bottom of things. The Victorian setting was incredibly well done and only added to the story’s charm.
I listened to the audiobook and thought that the narrator did a fantastic job of bringing this story to life. Bethan Rose Young did such a great job of representing this fun cast of characters. I found her voice to be very pleasant and didn’t want to stop listening. I cannot wait to read the next book in this fun middle-grade series!
I received a review copy of this book from Algonquin Young Readers.
I received this book for free from the publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
How to Get Away with Myrtle (Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery 2) by Elizabeth C. Bunce Narrator: Bethan Rose Young
Series: Myrtle Hardcastle Mysteries #2
Published by Algonquin Young Readers, Recorded Books on October 6, 2020
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Mysteries & Detective Stories
Length: 8 hours 10 minutes
Pages: 352
Format: Audiobook, Paperback
Source: Library, Publisher
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Before the train has left the station, England’s most accomplished new detective already is on a suspect’s trail, and readers will be delighted to travel along.
Myrtle Hardcastle has no desire to go on a relaxing travel excursion with her aunt Helena when there are More Important things to be done at home, like keeping close tabs on criminals and murder trials. Unfortunately, she has no say in the matter. So off Myrtle goes—with her governess, Miss Judson, and cat, Peony, in tow—on a fabulous private railway coach headed for the English seaside.
Myrtle is thrilled to make the acquaintance of Mrs. Bloom, a professional insurance investigator aboard to protect the priceless Northern Lights tiara. But before the train reaches its destination, both the tiara and Mrs. Bloom vanish. When Myrtle arrives, she and Peony discover a dead body in the baggage car. Someone has been murdered—with Aunt Helena’s sewing shears.
The trip is derailed, the local police are inept, and Scotland Yard is in no rush to arrive. What’s a smart, bored Young Lady of Quality stranded in a washed-up carnival town to do but follow the evidence to find out which of her fellow travelers is a thief and a murderer?
Myrtle is on the case in another great mystery! Myrtle is traveling with her Aunt Helena rather reluctantly and it is really no surprise that things don’t go as planned. First, there is a jewel theft which is followed up by a murder. Myrtle is determined to get to the bottom of things in this surprisingly complex mystery. Myrtle and her governess, Miss Judson, definitely have their work cut out for them in this installment.
Myrtle is a fantastic character and I love the fact that the adults in her life are supportive and encouraging. Her Aunt Helena does have some pretty strong opinions about how a young lady should behave but it is evident just how much she really cares for Myrtle. This 12-year-old’s investigative skills are top notch and I am pretty sure that this crime would not have been solved if it were up to the adults in positions of power.
I listened to the audiobook and thought that the narrator did a fabulous job with the series. Bethan Rose Young does a wonderful job of bringing Myrtle and the rest of the cast to life. I am certain that her narration only added to my enjoyment of this story. I do recommend this delightful series to both middle-grade readers and adults. I cannot wait to read the next book!
I received a review copy of this book from Algonquin Young Readers.
I’m glad both of them were good for you.
I’m glad you enjoyed them. I hardly do any middle grade or young adult usually.
What a fun series! The young detective reminds me of Harriet the Spy, a book I loved back in the 70’s.
Sounds like a series I would have loved as a young teen.
These look like fun!
Thanks for sharing. These sound fun!
I don’t usually read middle grade, well not since my kids were middle graders, but this does sound really good. I’ll keep it in mind for when my grandkids get a little older.
This looks like such a fun series! I’m looking for some middle grade books to add in to our school this coming school year and these looks like a good fit. Plus, they look like books I would enjoy as well!