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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

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