Georgia thought losing the best part in the school play was bad, but then she discovered a body.
Her drama teacher, Mr Truckle was fine during auditions and drama practice. He was his usual kind self, heaping praise on everyone, and making things fun for all involved. Finding him slumped over a desk in the library comes as a shock to Georgia when she comes back to school after forgetting something.
Things get worse as she reports her discovery, only to find upon return, an empty library.
At first, no-one will believe her. When her best friend Billy does, it’s a relief. Things have been sketchy between them lately, as a new girl at school has caught his attention. Wren is rich, pretty, an excellent actress and good at winding people around her little finger.
Billy is supportive but Georgia feels out on a limb, trying to solve a murder everyone else is ignoring. Wren has a family link to Georgia’s past, but she still won’t accept her as a friend. It’s only when Georgia goes too far in her sleuthing that things finally boil over.
The first in the Murder Academy series, set in a fictional school called Mayfield Academy. This series will be perfect for ages 11-13 aged readers who love to follow clues, be misdirected by plot, and enjoy reading about school life and friendship dynamics.
The main characters find themselves in more and more dangerous situations until their actual lives are seriously at risk. Using their combined knowledge which in some instances has made them outsiders at school, they work together to narrow down suspects. These skills also prevent more murders – their own.
Author – Sophie McKenzie
Age – 11+
Publisher – Simon & Schuster UK
Set in – UK / Fictional School / Present
Viewpoints – 1st person – present tense
Orphan? – No
Violence – Threat / Smoke inhalation
Real Life – Yes
Fantasy – No
Sex – No
Blend – YA Thriller / Friendship Dynamics
(2026, Simon & Schuster, Friendship, Crime, Murder, Betrayal, Greed, School, New Girl, Drama Teacher, Play, Fundraising, Body, Following clues, Real Life)