Mizzy is spending half-term with cousins in St Jude’s-on-Sea: a seaside town struggling to accommodate an influx of refugees. When she sees a spooky shadow on a wrecked old fishing boat on the shore, she thinks she’s found her next mystery. But her cousins seem determined to keep her in the dark about their comings and goings to the wreck, and she’s left alone to help their old Greek-Cypriot grandfather Papou sort out his papers.

Then an anonymous postcard arrives for Papou, featuring a picture of the old wreck and the words WHAT REALLY HAPPENS? Mizzy must solve the mystery of the postcard sender and prove once again that she is the best detective in town!

Perfect for fans of Murder Most Unladylike and High-Rise Mystery!

Praise for book 1 in The Mizzy Mysteries, A SKELETON IN THE CLOSET:

‘A unique and delightful heroine’ — Guardian

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!” 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 every step of the way and I love that a character like her has been put front and centre, and with such compassion and believability” Tom Vaughan, author of Hercules, The Diary of a (Sort of) Hero

“A super detective story full of sleuthing, surprising twists, school projects, and shocking family secrets” Mel Taylor Bessent

“I absolutely loved Mizzy! … A page-turning romp with an irresistible, irrepressible narrator” Joseph Elliott

"A fun read! Mizzy and her family are larger than life in this new mystery caper. Move over Sherlock! Mizzy is here!” Maisie Chan

Claire has worked with children for thirty years and never met a kid she didn’t like (even the sticky ones). She believes every child has the right to be seen and heard, even if, especially when, it makes other people uncomfortable.

Originally from the UK, Claire now lives surrounded by sea on Vancouver Island, with her partner, their son and a Korean rescue dog.