The Body Under the Piano (Aggie Morton, Mystery Queen #1)

The protagonist makes a remarkable, cool, and likable detective despite some literary dead weight.

Jocelyn keeps readers guessing throughout the book, but the eventual reveal of the perpetrator is believable, carefully clued, and satisfying. A solid dose of tart wit makes it an extra-enjoyable read.

Child sleuths investigate a poisoning in this winning whodunit based on Agatha Christie's childhood. In 1902 Torquay, Aggie Morton, 12, whose father recently died, has what her mother calls a "Morbid Preoccupation." Additionally, the aspiring writer, homeschooled and often shy, likes crafting descriptive variations ("eyes like lime cordial?... Glittering emeralds?"). In a chance sweet-shop encounter, she befriends Belgian refugee Hector Perot, a fastidious boy staying for a time nearby ("our own little immigrant," his hosts call him). After leaving her journal at her dance studio one evening following a charitable "Befriend the Foreigners" concert, Aggie returns to find a disagreeable local woman dead beneath the titular instrument. When an anonymous note with clues to the murderer's identity appears, the children jump on the case, much to the delight of a prolific reporter and the keen frustration of the constabulary. Though Perot's presence adds little more than Easter eggs (e.g., his namesake's phrasing habits) to the otherwise well-plotted mystery, he is set up to play a larger role in future installments. Jocelyn (One Yellow Ribbon) offers an enjoyable entrée to the Queen of Crime and to the genre; the narrative's arch tone, the girl's vital grandmother, and the novel's surfeit of extravagant teas should please. Character portraits and chapter heading spot art from Follath (Joy) add whimsical appeal. Ages 10-up. (Feb.)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Compelling, splendidly surprising murder mystery.

One of CCBC's Best Books for Kids and Teens Fall 2020
One of CBC Books' Best Middle-Grade and Young Adult Books of 2020
One of the Ontario Library Association's 2020 Best Bets selection (Honourable Mention, Junior Fiction category)

PRAISE FOR The Body under the Piano

"Pure delight—brimming with adventure, mystery and fun. I loved every character, every clue and every page. Now that I know all the answers, I have only one question left: why did this book have to end?" —Rebecca Stead, author of Newbery Award winner When You Reach Me

"Finished it at 5:20 am. Truly refreshing — a tour de force." —Gregory Maguire, New York Times bestselling author of Wicked

"Mystery lovers, you need to check it out!" —Kristin Cashore, author of the Graceling series

"Heartfelt, funny and suspenseful, The Body under the Piano is an excellent beginning to what is sure to be a pleasantly gruesome series." —STARRED REVIEW, Shelf Awareness

"Jocelyn offers young readers a cracking good read." —Globe and Mail

"There's a great deal of humour, adventure, excitement, derring-do and midnight scary things." —CBC

"A delightful mystery . . . Fans of Christie and her famous detective Poirot will revel at the thought of these two joining forces as youngsters, and readers unfamiliar with the landmark author will find this an enticement to read more." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Perhaps spring's most sparkling debut." —Toronto Star

"I wouldn't be surprised if 12-year-old Aggie Morton and Hector Perot capture the hearts of today's young readers much the way Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys did the kids of my generation." —Montreal Gazette

"A robust, witty tale that will catch the attention of many readers." —Winnipeg Free Press

"Though mentions of 'newsies' and 'petticoats' may seem oldfangled, the book's themes of women's rights and immigration remain pointedly relevant . . . Aggie Morton can be counted on to reveal the truth — to the delight of middle-grade readers." —Quill & Quire

"Skillfully structured and carefully paced for maximum suspense. Highly Recommended." —CM Reviews

"As the label on Jeever's Lavender Pocket Salts located by Aggie cautions, 'Refuse Worthless Imitations' of this inventive book." —Imaginary Elevators

"[A] delight from start to finish." —Historical Novel Society

"Jocelyn's narrative flows smoothly, her prose is crisp, and the charming old English town setting adds intrigue to the story." —Prairies Book Review

"This book [is] a wonderful way for Christie fans to introduce young readers to this literary hero." —CityParent

"Readers will soon be caught up in the twists and turns of this remarkable novel." —Resource Links