A murdered heiress, a missing necklace, and a train full of shifty, unusual, and suspicious characters leaves Daisy and Hazel with a new mystery to solve in this third novel of the Wells & Wong Mystery series.

Hazel Wong and Daisy Wells are taking a vacation across Europe on world-famous passenger train, the Orient Express—and it’s clear that each of their fellow first-class travelers has something to hide. Even more intriguing: There’s rumor of a spy in their midst.

Then, during dinner, a bloodcurdling scream comes from inside one of the cabins. When the door is broken down, a passenger is found murdered—her stunning ruby necklace gone. But the killer has vanished, as if into thin air.

The Wells & Wong Detective Society is ready to crack the case—but this time, they’ve got competition.

Excerpt

First Class Murder

From the way my father is carrying on, anyone would think that the murder which has just taken place was our fault—or rather, that it was Daisy’s.

Of course, this is not true in the least. First, holidaying on a train was his idea—and inviting Daisy too. And as for Daisy and me being detectives—why, it is just who we are. This murder would always have happened, whether Daisy and I had been here to detect it or not, so how can we be blamed for investigating it? If we did not, what sort of Detective Society would we be?

Naturally, murder is always rather dreadful, but all the same, after our last murder case (at Daisy’s house, Fallingford, in the Easter holidays), when every suspect was someone we knew, this seems rather separate to us, and that is a relief. With one exception, everyone who might possibly have been involved in this crime was a perfect stranger to Daisy and me two days ago. So although we are sorry that one of them is dead (at least I am, and I hope Daisy is too), more importantly we are detectives on the case, with a puzzle to solve and a murderer to bring to justice. And we will succeed, whatever my father tries to do to stop us.

You see, although this murder does not seem as though it will be as upsetting for us as the cases of poor Miss Bell or awful Mr. Curtis, it may well be the most difficult to solve. Infuriating obstacles have been put in our way by grown-ups who want to ensure that the Detective Society is not able to detect at all. This is supposed to be for our own good—like eating vegetables and going for walks in January—but that, of course, is nonsense. Daisy says, Daisy-ishly, that they are simply jealous of our superior intellect. I know they are simply trying to keep us safe, but I wish they wouldn’t. I am older than I was in April—and much older than I was last November—and I can decide for myself whether or not I want to be in danger. I am quite all right with being afraid for a while, if it means that we catch a murderer.

It is funny to think, though, that only a few days ago I was determined not to be a detective this holiday at all.

About The Author

Photograph © Max von Seibold

Robin Stevens

Robin Stevens was born in California and grew up in Oxford, England, across the road from the house where Alice of Alice in Wonderland lived. Robin has been making up stories all her life. She spent her teenage years at boarding school, reading a lot of murder mysteries and hoping that she’d get the chance to do some detecting herself (she didn’t). She studied crime fiction in college and then worked in children’s publishing. Robin now lives in England with her family.

Product Details

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (April 4, 2017)
Length: 320 pages
ISBN13: 9781481422185
Ages: 10 - 99
Lexile ® 800L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®

Raves and Reviews

PRAISE FOR MURDER IS BAD MANNERS

*“Irresistible.”

– Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

*"A pitch-perfect snapshot of adolescent friendship... A sharp-witted debut for Stevens, one that will leave readers eagerly awaiting subsequent installments."

– Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

"[A] delightful romp....This book, the first in a series, is a "jolly good read," one which intermediate girls will enjoy and share."

– School Library Connection

"[A] first-rate homage to English boarding school adventure and period murder-mystery tales....Middle-schoolers with a taste for Agatha Christie (and perhaps PBS costume or mystery dramas) will eat this up and ask for more."

– The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s

“Wells and Wong . . . leave readers eager to read more of their appealing tales."

– Shelf-Awareness Pro

"Stevens’s engaging tale shines with the reflected charms of its detecting duo, a winsome combination of thoughtfulness and relish."

– School Library Journal

“Nancy Drew, meet Wells and Wong.”

– Booklist

"Friendship, boarding school, and a murder worthy of Agatha Christie."

– The Bookseller

"A skillful blend of golden era crime novel and boarding school romp, with a winning central relationship between plump, anxious Hazel, a new girl who has arrived from Hong Kong, and the super-confident blonde English rose, Daisy Wells. The novel works well both as an affectionate satire and an effective mystery story. . . . Top class."

– Suzie Feay, Financial Times

"Reading Murder Is Bad Manners is like drinking cocoa by a fireside: It is warm and witty and deeply satisfying."

– Katherine Rundell, author of Rooftoppers and Cartwheeling in Thunderstorms

"Murder Is Bad Manners lured me in with a charming British voice, and then, just as I started to get cozy, snap! I was trapped in a serious mystery problem. Robin Stevens develops her girl detectives with a light, deft touch and delivers denouement with a flourish."

– Nancy Springer, author of the Enola Holmes series

“Robin Stevens's MURDER IS BAD MANNERS is what I wish every mystery could be: a perfectly-plotted puzzle told in a deft and charming voice. The story is a brilliant mixture of classic detective work and contemporary humor—I enjoyed every page!”

– Jonathan Auxier, author of The Night Gardener and Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes

"Satisfyingly unpredictable. I did not guess the whodunit. Ripping good fun."

– Alex O'Connell, The Times of London

"Really cleverly done and unexpected for what I thought would be a straightforward whodunit caper."

– Melissa Cox, Head Children's Buyer at Waterstones

*"There's solid suspense, humor, and food for thought....'the Detective Society's most exciting adventure yet!'"

– Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

"[A] more than credible take on the Agatha Christie original. . . . both [a] solid mystery and delightful romp."

– Booklist Online