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The Ministry of Unladylike Activity

Murder Most Unladylike Mysteries (Book 1)

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What to expect

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Britain is at war, and a secret arm of the British government called the Ministry of Unladylike Activity is training up spies. And who better to become a spy than a child? A child can go places, see things and listen in on conversations in a way that no adult ever can.

Enter May Wong and her friends. Trained up at the Ministry, they soon embark upon their first mission: masquerading as evacuees, they are sent to a wealthy manor house to spy on the owner, who is suspected of working for the enemy.

And then the murder happens...

© Robin Stevens 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

Critics Review

As funny, clever, and warm as we've come to expect from Robin Stevens, The Ministry of Unladylike Activity is such a delight
Louise O'Neill
Robin Stevens is Agatha Christie for children: her books have all the rich satisfactions, all the twists and pleasures and the enormous delights of instant mystery classics. I am always hungry for the next one
Katherine Rundell on the Murder Most Unladylike series
Emotionally involving, enjoyably logical and engaging . . . The sense of place, time and voice are carefully created, and whether you solve the mystery before May, Eric and Nuala or not, you will make the 400-page journey - despite deaths on the way - with a spring in your step
Times
A new crew of resourceful children takes the helm . . . Meticulous, lightly worn research and sharp character observation
Guardian
The author of the bestselling Murder Most Unladylike series is returning to what she does best, which is creating a fictional world full of child detectives, period details, sumptuous settings and, yes, murder . . . Spirited and fun, this is a must for young murder mystery fans
Bookseller
Expect excitement, intrigue, friendship and a puzzling mystery
Week Junior
Much superb Agatha Christie-style whodunnitry
Observer
This is an exciting book full of suspense . . . I give it 10/10!
Nat Geo Kids
Rip-roaring stuff
Daily Mail
A fiendishly plotted, astutely observed novel that's equally perfect for avid Stevens fans and new readers. Absolutely thrilling!
Louie Stowell
Author Robin Stevens
Narrator Samantha Shortall, Thaddea Graham, Robin Stevens
Series Murder Most Unladylike Mysteries, The Ministry of Unladylike Activity
Duration 9 hours and 20 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9780241504420
Format Audiobook
Publisher Penguin Random House Children's UK
Genre Children’s / Teenage fiction: Crime and mystery fiction, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Historical fiction, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Military and war fiction, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Friends and friendships, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Racism
Availability AU, GB, IE

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