Biography

Robin Stevens was born in California and grew up in Oxford, England, across the road from the house where Alice in Wonderland lived. She has been making up stories all her life. She spent her teenage years at Cheltenham Ladies' College, a boarding school in England, reading a lot of murder mysteries and hoping that she'd get the chance to do some detecting herself (she didn't). She then went to university, where she studied crime fiction, and worked at a children's publisher. (Source: author website and Amazon page)

Bibliography highlights

The Wells & Wong series, beginning with Murder is Bad Manners / Poison is Not Polite*: 

Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong are best friends at Deepdean School for Girls, and they both have a penchant for solving mysteries. In fact, outspoken Daisy is a self-described Sherlock Holmes, and she appoints wallflower Hazel as her own personal Watson when they form their own (secret!) detective agency. The only problem? They have nothing to investigate.

* (US vs UK titles! Very Agatha Christie!) 

My reading experience

Since I have also been a fan of Agatha Christie and other classic mystery writers since my early teens, I was instantly intrigued by the premise of the series. But once I started the books, I kept coming back for the marvelous friendship between Daisy and Hazel. Stevens takes the complexities of that relationship seriously, showing both their bond and the places where their paths and lives diverge. The books are satisfying as mysteries, while also taking a real look at the way social, political, and historical events influence the characters. (There’s also a spinoff series, The Ministry of Unladylike Activity, which I haven’t managed to get my hands on yet!)

Whether you love mysteries, historical fiction, or complex female friendships, the Wells & Wong series shine for upper middle grade readers! 

Readalikes

• The Myrtle Hardcastle mysteries by Elizabeth C. Bunce: The Myrtle books are perfect for the Stevens fan who enjoys historical settings and complex relationships, although they’re lighter on social issues. 

• The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place by Julie Berry: Lighter in tone than the Wells & Wong series, The Scandalous Sisterhood does look at complicated friendships and historical attitudes. This one is not a series, although I would read a sequel!

• The Mystery of Wickworth Manor by Elen Caldecott: Although this book is set in the present day, the roots of the mystery reach far back into the past and take a more serious look at the history of slavery and violence in 19th century England.