Why am I passionate about this?

As a child, I spent a lot of time with my head in a book – mostly Enid Blyton mystery stories. My ambition was to write my own mystery stories one day. Thirty years later, I discovered a love of detective stories, and when my daughter, aged ten, complained that she could not find enough mystery and adventure books in our local library, it was the spur I needed to start writing again. Eventually, Eye Spy, a detective novel for children, was born and became the first in a series. And writing these books – creating quirky characters and intricate mysteries to solve – is just such fun! 


I wrote...

Eye Spy

By Tessa Buckley ,

Book cover of Eye Spy

What is my book about?

When twins Alex and Donna set up Eye Spy Investigations and start looking for a valuable missing dog, they soon…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Murder Most Unladylike

Tessa Buckley Why I love this book

I found this book great fun, and guessing whodunnit kept me intrigued to the end.

It is the story of Hazel and Daisy, who set up their own detective agency at their boarding school, before being faced with a real-life murder to solve. I loved the way it is a clever pastiche of both Agatha Christie murder mysteries and Enid Blyton’s boarding school stories.

My nine-year-old granddaughter loved it too.

By Robin Stevens ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Murder Most Unladylike as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 9, 10, 11, and 12.

What is this book about?

When Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong set up their very own secret detective agency at Deepdean School for Girls, they struggle to find any truly exciting mysteries to investigate. (Unless you count the case of Lavinia's missing tie. Which they don't.) Then Hazel discovers the Science Mistress, Miss Bell, lying dead in the Gym. She assumes it was a terrible accident - but when she and Daisy return five minutes later, the body has disappeared. Now Hazel and Daisy not only have a murder to solve: they have to prove one happened in the first place. Determined to get to…


Book cover of The Titanic Detective Agency

Tessa Buckley Why I love this book

I have often wondered what it would have been like to be a child on board the "unsinkable" Titanic.

Lindsey Littleson takes real children who were passengers on the ship, and imagines how they might have entertained themselves before tragedy struck. To pass the time, Bertha, Madge, and Johan set up their own detective agency and look for mysteries to solve.

This fast-paced and engaging story also explores the social divisions on board the ship, and builds tension with unsettling hints of the disaster to come.  Of course, I knew what was about to happen, but the ending was all the more poignant because by then, I cared about the three children.

This book cleverly takes a famous historical event and looks at it through a child’s eyes.

By Lindsay Littleson ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Titanic Detective Agency as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

Unlock the secrets of the unsinkable ship...Bertha Watt, tree-climber and would-be polar explorer, is excited to be on RMS Titanic's maiden voyage, as she leaves Aberdeen behind for the glamour of a new life in America. But Bertha quickly realises that some passengers are behaving strangely, and she determines to unravel their secrets. With new friend, Madge, Bertha sets up her own detective agency to try and solve the mysteries onboard, but they have no idea that disaster is looming for Titanic.Can they help Johan find the hidden treasure and unmask the identity of the enigmatic Mr Hoffman before time…


Book cover of The Afterlife of the Party

The Afterlife of the Party by Darcy Marks,

An interdimensional mixer with angels and other beings brings unexpected trouble for Malachi and his friends in this smart and uniquely funny second book about the squad of teens from hell.

When an angel comes to his home to deliver a message, Malachi immediately knows what’s going on. The seraph…

Book cover of The Clockwork Sparrow

Tessa Buckley Why I love this book

I really enjoyed this fast-paced and cleverly plotted historical novel set in Edwardian times.

The story follows shopgirl Sophie, who works in a big new department store in Oxford Street, but inadvertently becomes a suspect when a valuable clockwork sparrow is stolen from the store.

The race is then on for Sophie to clear her name, with the help of her three resourceful friends. Sophie herself is a likeable and intrepid heroine, and the plot twists and turns in unexpected ways. 

By Katherine Woodfine ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Clockwork Sparrow as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

A gorgeous anniverary edition of the first title in Katherine Woodfine's bestselling debut series, The Sinclair Mysteries. A fast-paced historical mystery adventure for readers aged 9+, with gorgeous Edwardian period detail. Perfect for readers of Robin Stevens' Murder Most Unladylike series and M.G.Leonard's Adventures on Trains.

🔎

'A wonderful book, with a glorious heroine and a true spirit of adventure' - KATHERINE RUNDELL, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF IMPOSSIBLE CREATURES

🔎

You are cordially invited to attend the Grand Opening of Sinclair's department store!

Enter a world of bonbons, hats, perfumes and MYSTERIES around every corner. WONDER at the daring theft of…


Book cover of Rockstar Detectives

Tessa Buckley Why I love this book

I found this comedy mystery great fun, and was pleased to see that it includes a character who is a wheelchair user. This is great because disabled children deserve to see themselves represented more in children’s literature.

This story, written by comedian Adam Hills, introduces twelve-year-old Charley, a singing sensation, and her friend George, a wannabe comedian, who are on tour together. When a valuable painting goes missing, the pair are suddenly under suspicion and must prove their innocence before the tour is suspended.

A great contemporary mystery.

By Adam Hills ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Rockstar Detectives as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 9, 10, 11, and 12.

What is this book about?

'A delightfully funny book with a big, big heart' - David O'Doherty

The debut novel from comedian and presenter of The Last Leg, Adam Hills, featuring a young detective dream team.

When a priceless painting goes missing, Charley - a 12-year-old viral singing sensation - and her best friend George - camera whizz and budding comedian - are shocked to discover they're the prime suspects.

Now Charley and George have to prove they're not international criminals - all while nailing a stellar European tour and keeping up with their homework! But as news of high-profile heists hits the headlines wherever…


Book cover of The Real Boys of the Civil War

The Real Boys of the Civil War by J. Arthur Moore,

The Real Boys of the Civil War is a research about the real boys who served during the war, opening with a historiography research paper about their history along with its 7-page source document. It then evolves into a series of collections of their stories by topic, concluding with a…

Book cover of The Secret Lake

Tessa Buckley Why I love this book

This story starts with a search for a missing dog, but it soon becomes clear that the dog has found its way into a different century.

This is a time-travel tale as well as a mystery, and since I love time-travel stories, it's definitely a winner. The two protagonists, Stella and Tom, discover a way to travel back from the quiet London Square where they live into the same square in Edwardian times.

The short chapters, clever plot, and well-drawn characters move the story along fast, and there is an unexpected twist at the end. 

By Karen Inglis ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Secret Lake as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A lost dog, a hidden time tunnel and a secret lake take Stella and Tom to their home and the children living there 100 years in the past. A page-turning time travel adventure for children aged 8-11. Now enjoyed by over 250,000 young readers! When Stella and her younger brother, Tom, move to their new London home, they become mystified by the disappearances of Harry, their elderly neighbour's dog. Where does he go? And why does he keep reappearing wet-through? Their quest to solve the riddle over the summer holidays soon leads to a boat buried under a grassy mound…


Explore my book 😀

Eye Spy

By Tessa Buckley ,

Book cover of Eye Spy

What is my book about?

When twins Alex and Donna set up Eye Spy Investigations and start looking for a valuable missing dog, they soon have an interesting assortment of suspects. But as they try to make sense of the evidence, they uncover an even bigger mystery closer to home.

As secrets emerge which threaten to cause a family rift, and events spiral out of control, Alex is in a race against time to save Donna from danger, reunite family members, and recover the missing dog.

Book cover of Murder Most Unladylike
Book cover of The Titanic Detective Agency
Book cover of The Clockwork Sparrow

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