The Mizzy Mysteries: A Skeleton In The Closet

By (author) Hatcher-Smith, Claire
Description:
Brand new for 8- to 12-year-old murder-mystery readers in 2025, debut author Claire Hatcher-Smith’s unique detective heroine Mizzy will steal your heart! Perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Sharna Jackson. “Funny, tautly plotted and twisty debut with a unique and delightful heroine” Guardian ‘A brilliant debut’ The Bookseller

Twelve-year-old Mizzy dreams of being a detective and she won''t let anything stand in her way — not her reputation for tall tales, or her embarrassing fear of escalators, and definitely not her Down syndrome. Dumped for the summer with cousins who''ve outgrown her, Mizzy feels even more sidelined than usual. But when she discovers Great Aunt Jane''s diaries in a locked wardrobe in their spare room, and realises her aunt didn''t die in her sleep but under suspicious circumstances, everything changes. What''s more … someone in the family appears to have been involved.

Under the guise of a family-tree project for school, and armed with a brand new set of Pipsqueak markers, Mizzy grabs the chance to prove herself to her cousins — and the world.

"Pacey and funny with a twisty plot and a fabulous heroine in Mizzy, A Skeleton in the Closet explores themes of being underestimated in a brilliant, relatable way. I couldn''t put it down!” Phillipa Leathley, author of Inkbound: Meticulous Jones and the Skull Tattoo

"This absorbing, accessible story makes for a perfect ‘first’ murder mystery – packed with all the right ingredients like clues, red herrings, twists and turns, but nothing gruesome or gory. A total delight!” BookTrust

“This makes our Top 10 because of its page-turning murder mystery, endearing heroine and cast of English eccentrics.” The Bookseller Children’s Buyers Guide Spring 2025

"Twelve-year-old Mizzy is a great detective, and when she uncovers an unsolved murder in her own family, nothing will stand in the way of her discovering whodunnit: not unconvinced cousins, disapproving parents or her own Down syndrome. Mizzy the Marvellous is on the case in this funny, tautly plotted and twisty 9+ debut with a unique and delightful heroine” Imogen Russell Williams, Guardian

“A wonderfully engaging and exciting book; fast-paced and full of fun, this story will appeal to children of a curious nature” INIS Magazine

Review quote:

‘Genuinely brilliant neurodivergent representation … Hatcher-Smith has created a truly unique heroine in Mizzy, who is smart and brilliantly stubborn … The story is taut and twisting – peopled with a cast of fantastically English eccentrics – and the denouement is pleasingly unguessable. A brilliant debut.’ Charlotte Eyre, The Bookseller

‘A brave, funny and insightful character who you will love and root for from the very first page. Mizzy will inspire you to fight for what you believe in and reach for the stars, as she tries to crack the case and prove whodunnit! A fabulous story, with truly wonderful representation. We do need these books.’ Mel Darbon, multi-award-winning author of Rosie Loves Jack

''I relate to Mizzy in so many ways — our curiosity, our love for problem solving, and we both have big dreams. We also happen to have an extra chromosome in common, and I love that it''s the least interesting thing about her! Mizzy knows who she is and she keeps following her path, even when others don''t think she can. Mizzy IS marvellous!” Madison Tevlin, Host, Actor, Model & Advocate

“Young readers will adore this unique and endearing new sleuth” Kenneth Oppel

“Fast-paced, tightly plotted and kept me guessing till the last minute. In Mizzy, Claire has created an utterly unique and instantly lovable new detective. I was rooting for her eve