The Detention Detectives: Murder By Mistake

'Ideal for fans of Robin Stevens' - The Week Junior 
 
THE DETENTION DETECTIVES ARE BACK! And there's been another murder... 
 
Headstrong LYDIA leads the new case. As a school reporter, she’s great at getting the facts. But when someone unexpected arrives at Gran’s, it’s clear she’s missing some clues… 
 
Sensitive DANIEL is convinced this case is linked to their first. As a young carer he’s got a lot on his plate, so he needs the trio to work on this together. He just needs to persuade… 
 
Not-so-new-boy JONNO, who’s settled in at Hanbridge High. But he’s so distracted by his new band – maybe solving crimes just isn’t cool anymore? Or maybe he’s scared of finding out the truth… 
 
Can you solve the case before THE DETENTION DETECTIVES? 
 
Praise for The Detention Detectives series: 
 
‘Top-grade misbehaviour’ – The Guardian 
 
'a fresh new take on the murder mystery genre' - The School Library Association 
 
'Friendship, trust, courage and determination are at the heart of this extremely funny murder-mystery tale' - BookTrust 
 
'Lis Jardine is an exciting new voice...This new school set crime series is well worth investigating' - LoveReading4Kids

Lis Jardine grew up in London and the Black Country. She has been a lifelong reading addict and is rarely spotted in the wild without a book, often a Golden Age murder mystery or a comic fantasy. She currently lives with her daughters in Cheshire where she combines the two best jobs in the world: secondary school librarian and children’s novelist. 
 
 
Lis studied English Literature at the University of Warwick and completed the MA in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University. She has not won any prizes since a General Knowledge quiz at primary school, but in 2024 Lis was longlisted for the Branford Boase Award and shortlisted for both the James Reckitt Hull Children’s Book Award and the CrimeFest Best Crime Novel for Children Award. 
In her spare time, Lis likes to watch TV, learn Norwegian (2000+ day Duo streak!) and umpire her cats. 
 
 
Follow Lis Jardine on Threads and Instagram @LisJardine.

The second book in the thrilling contemporary murder-mystery series by Lis Jardine. A perfect next read for fans of Sharna Jackson's The High-Rise Mysteries, Fleur Hitchcock's Murder in Midwinter, and Robin Stevens' Murder Most Unladylike. 
 
‘Top-grade misbehaviour’ – THE GUARDIAN 
 
THE DETENTION DETECTIVES ARE BACK! And there's been another murder... 
 
Headstrong LYDIA leads the new case. As a school reporter, she’s great at getting the facts. But when someone unexpected arrives at Gran’s, it’s clear she’s missing some clues… 
 
Sensitive DANIEL is convinced this case is linked to their first. As a young carer he’s got a lot on his plate, so he needs the trio to work on this together. He just needs to persuade… 
 
Not-so-new-boy JONNO, who’s settled in at Hanbridge High. But he’s so distracted by his new band – maybe solving crimes just isn’t cool anymore? Or maybe he’s scared of finding out the truth… 
 
Can you solve the case before THE DETENTION DETECTIVES?

The Detention Detectives

'Ideal for fans of Robin Stevens' - The Week Junior 
 
"Finding a dead body at my new school was a pretty rubbish way to start. But actually getting mixed up in the case? I was bound to get into deep, deep trouble for that!" 
 
Murder comes to Hanbridge High, and three Year Seven misfits want to solve the crime: 
 
New boy Jonno hopes playing detective will convince his parents that moving to Hanbridge was a big mistake. 
School reporter Lydia thinks her news story will sweep everything else off the front page. 
And young carer Daniel needs the police to arrest the right culprit - for his mum's sake. 
 
They may not be friends, but they're about to become. . .The Detention Detectives. 
 
'a fresh new take on the murder mystery genre' - The School Library Association 
 
'Friendship, trust, courage and determination are at the heart of this extremely funny murder-mystery tale' - BookTrust 
 
'Sharply drawn' - The Guardian

Top-grade misbehaviour...Lis Jardine's first novel is a compelling addition to the new canon

Friendship, trust, courage and determination are at the heart of this extremely funny murder-mystery tale. Featuring a hugely entertaining cast of characters, the intriguing plot is full of twists and turns, and will keep readers guessing to the very end.

Lis Jardine is an exciting new voice in the canon of authors brilliantly sending young readers sleuthing. The Detention Detectives is cleverly plotted, the characters quirky but convincing, the action perfectly paced.

The story is as funny as it is clever...The interweaving and strengthening of the bond between the three children gives emotional depth and veracity to the narrative. However, when the murder seems to be solved, there is one final twist at the end of the book which signals a further, hitherto unnoticed suspect-and, happily, the stage is firmly set for a sequel.

This brilliant detective debut really is in a class of its own...plot twists and turns to keep your mini-investigators working their little grey cells right up until the end

Lucy Brandt, author of the Leonora Bolt series

Clever, comical and clue-packed adventure in a sparkling new series from Lis Jardine...with an addictive, up-tempo prose and lively dialogue that children will recognise and love, Jardine’s dazzling debut is brimming with skulduggery, secrets and some super entertaining sleuthing

Misfits and murder meet in this brilliantly fun new mystery series by debut author Lis Jardine. A perfect next read for fans of Sharna Jackson's The High-Rise Mysteries, Fleur Hitchcock's Murder in Midwinter, and Robin Stevens' Murder Most Unladylike. 
 
Finding a dead body at my new school was a pretty rubbish way to start. But actually getting mixed up in the case? I was bound to get into deep, deep trouble for that! 
 
Murder comes to Hanbridge High, and three Year Seven misfits want to solve the crime: 
 
New boy Jonno hopes playing detective will convince his parents that moving to Hanbridge was a big mistake. 
School reporter Lydia thinks her news story will sweep everything else off the front page. 
And young carer Daniel needs the police to arrest the right culprit - for his mum's sake. 
 
They may not be friends, but they're about to become. . .The Detention Detectives.

Lis Jardine

Send Lis Jardine to the top of the class! I wish we'd had the Detention Detectives when I was at school. Nail-biting crime for all ages!

Antony Johnston, author of Can You Solve the Murder?

The Detention Detectives may have solved their last mystery, but when a local teen disappears they suddenly realize the cases are connected. The problem is . . .<ul><li>Star Trek superfan DANIEL takes the lead, but his anger towards their main suspect might be getting in the way of their investigation.</li><li>Music-lover JONNO is totally distracted by the school talent competition. And it may seem silly to the others, but Daniel’s got the people skills and Lydia’s got the brains - so do they even need him?</li><li>School reporter LYDIA has a separate unsolved crime to deal with, and a newspaper to edit too! She really doesn’t have time for the boys’ dramas…</li></ul>Can Daniel bring the Detectives together to crack their BIGGEST case, before it’s too late?

Lis Jardine

Books by Lis Jardine

Series by Lis Jardine

The Detention Detectives

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