Little Miss Marple: A Surprise Is Announced

Created by Hargreaves Roger; By (author) Hargreaves Adam
Description:

Agatha Christie’s most famous detectives receive the Mr. Men Little Miss treatment!

Miss Marple meets Mr Men and Little Miss in this new story, written and illustrated by Adam Hargreaves. Loosely inspired by A Murder is Announced, but with a light and humorous twist for younger fans, this is a mystery that only someone with a sharp mind can solve!

Have you met Little Miss Marple – a new Little Miss who may feel more than a little familiar, particularly to Agatha Christie fans?!

Little Miss Marple is intrigued when a surprise is announced in the paper. But the surprise at Little Paddocks turns out to be the first of many and Little Miss Surprise and her friends have no idea who is behind them. Can the ever-observant Little Miss Marple solve the mystery and catch the culprit?

This is the third Little Miss Marple mystery in a mischievous new partnership, publishing alongside Mr Poirot: The Tale of Walter Ackroyd. The first four titles are also available: Little Miss Marple: Muddle at the Vicarage, Mr Poirot: Mischief on the Nile, Little Miss Marple: Bump in the Library and Mr Poirot: Mystery on the Opulent Express.

Review quote:
''The colourful characters have been delighting children since Mr Tickle first appeared on bookshelves in 1971.''
Review quote:
The Independent
Review quote:
''The timeless Mr Men books capture modern stereotypes perfectly.''
Review quote:
The Telegraph
Review quote:
''The Mr Men and Little Miss characters remain a cultural phenomenon, whose impact is felt far beyond the nursery bookshelf.''
Review quote:
The Telegraph
Biographical note:
It all started with a tickle. Roger Hargreaves’ son Adam asked him what a tickle looked like. In response, Roger drew a small orange man with extraordinarily long arms that could reach anywhere and tickle anyone. The idea that a tickle could be a character in its own right sparked an idea in Roger’s mind. Roger was a successful copywriter but he wanted to do something that would enable him to work from home and spend more time with his four children… It all started with a tickle. Roger Hargreaves’ son Adam asked him what a tickle looked like, so Roger drew a small orange man with extraordinarily long arms that could reach anywhere and tickle anyone. Roger went on to create many more Mr Men and Little Miss who have been delighting children and adults for generations. Sadly Roger passed away in 1988, but his son Adam took over the series, introducing new characters and exciting new adventures featuring the much-loved Mr Men and Little Miss.
Promotional headline:

A NEW official partnership of two much-loved classic book series

Feature:

A NEW official partnership of two much-loved classic book series

• A thoroughly mysterious (and mischievous) partnership between two British institutions
• Brand new stories, inspired by classic Christie novels and reverently brought to life by Adam Hargreaves
• Following on from the success of the first two Mr Poirot and Little Miss Marple books, which captured the media’s attention as well as selling well
• Mr. Men Little Miss is one of the best-selling picture book brands of all time and celebrates 55 years in 2026
• Roger Hargreaves is one of only 5 authors to achieve sales of over 20m units in the UK (2025 Bookscan)
• Agatha Christie’s books have sold over a billion copies in English.
• Agatha Christie is the most widely published author of all time in any language

Competition: Sherlock holmes