Could there be a more exciting setting for a crime mystery than the Queen Mary ocean liner, especially as she steams across the Atlantic bidding to break the record for fastest crossing. Alice is on board for the first time, even though her father is the Staff Captain and therefore second in command. She’s supposed to stay in her cabin but sneaks out to explore the ship, stumbling onto a cruel attack on a member of the crew in the luxurious first-class swimming pool. With newly made friends, Alice sets out to uncover the criminals and discovers more than she bargained for, putting herself in danger but also learning more about mysteries in her own life.
Cleverly plotted, with a cast of characters readers will love, and a vividly realised setting, this is a top-notch mystery adventure for young readers. Thoroughly recommended for everyone and especially fans for the Murder Most Unladylike and Adventures on Trains series.
A twisty and heart-pounding mystery at sea, from award-winning A.M. Howell.
July, 1936. As the Queen Mary sets sail across the Atlantic, Alice can't wait for the summer of adventure that lies ahead. She's excited to explore the huge ship, with its shops, animals and even celebrities on board.
But while Alice's sailor father focuses on winning a prestigious race, she witnesses a shocking attack. Alice and her new friend Sonny start to uncover a dark sabotage plot, and as they investigate gold bars, anonymous notes and lost silk gloves, secrets in their own lives come to the surface.
When fog threatens the boat's journey, and dangerous enemies show themselves, Alice and Sonny are in their own race to solve all the mysteries unfolding. But what they discover might change both their lives forever...
'A high-octane nautical adventure, brimming over with secrets and sabotage, and the most wonderful crew of characters you could hope for. I could feel the sway & taste the sea spray. Really marvellous. This is the first in a new series & I can't wait to set sail again.' - Nicola Penfold, author of Where the World Turns Wild
'I was riveted from port to starboard, bow to stern by this brilliant book. Absolutely unputdownable and I'm already looking forward to the next!' - Zillah Bethell, author of The Shark Caller
'Brilliant story which kept me gripped until the very end!' - Ewa Jozefkowicz, author of The Dragon in the Bookshop
'Will appeal to fans of the Adventures on Trains series.' - The Bookseller
'An exquisitely plotted nautical adventure, packed with mystery and derring-do.' Judith Eagle, author of The Accidental Stowaway
Praise for A.M. Howell: WINNER OF THE MAL PEET CHILDREN'S AWARD WINNER OF THE EAST ANGLIAN BOOK OF THE YEAR A SUNDAY TIMES CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE WEEK 'Howell is a hypnotically readable writer, who keeps the pulse racing, while allowing every character slowly to unravel.' - The Telegraph
'Gripping plot as well as authentic historical detail.' - The Daily Mail
'Fans of Emma Carroll will adore this historical tale of derring-do and righted wrongs.' - The Times
'Atmospheric, full of period detail, and most importantly, thrilling.' - The i
Author
About A.M. Howell
A.M. Howell has always been inspired by the stories around her, and how imagination can unlock the secrets of the past. Her thrilling historical mysteries have garnered great critical acclaim and award wins. Since her 2019 debut The Garden of Lost Secrets, A.M. Howell has fast cemented herself as a stand-out author of thrilling middle-grade historical fiction. She has enjoyed widespread critical acclaim, twice being afforded the prestigious Times Children’s Book of the Week slot, and with The Telegraph calling her “a hypnotically readable writer, who keeps the pulse racing”.
A.M. Howell is the recipient of the Mal Peet Children’s Award for The House of One Hundred Clocks which was also the overall winner of the East Anglian Book of the Year Award, the first time a children’s book has won this prize, whose past recipients include Sarah Perry.
After hearing about the discovery of a 100-year-old gardener’s notebook at the National Trust’s Ickworth House in Suffolk, A.M. Howell found herself wondering who it could have belonged to, and so The Garden of Lost Secrets was born. She continues to be inspired by the stories around her, and how imagination can unlock the secrets of the past. Her bestselling series, Mysteries at Sea is inspired by her own childhood travels on ships.
After completing a BA and MA at the University of Manchester, A.M. Howell now writes policy documents for local government. She lives in Suffolk with her husband and two sons
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