The second book in the thrilling middle grade mystery series, perfect for fans of Robin Steven’s Murder Most Unladylike. Set in eighteenth-century London, with all the fun and zest of Hamilton and inspired by real Black British historical figures.

The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Drama and Danger has been shortlisted for the Waterstones 2023 Children’s Book Prize!

Agents of history. Partners in Mystery. Sisters in solving crime.

Twelve-year-olds Lizzie Sancho and Dido Belle are from different worlds – Lizzie lives in Westminster in her dad’s tea shop, while Belle is an heiress being brought up by her aunt and uncle at grand Kenwood House – but they both share a love of solving mysteries. And after saving Lizzie’s father from attempted murder surely there is no threat too challenging for this detective duo?

It’s the summer of 1777, the night of the grand unveiling of the Sancho-Mansfields family portrait – and a celebration of friendship, family, and freedom! But all too soon things take a dark turn – the painting has been stolen! Now it is time for Lizzie and Belle to put their sleuthing skills to the ultimate test, following a trail of thefts, kidnappings and even poisonings that haunts the twisting London streets.

With a grand conspiracy afoot, and a mysterious organisation threatening their closest friends and family, who can Lizzie and Belle trust?

Once again it is up to the two girls to unveil the truth and put an end to the villainy that plagues the city.

J.T. Williams (aka Joanna Brown) is a writer and educator, and was the runner up but ‘highly recommended’ for the Life Writing Prize 2020 with Birds can be heard singing through open windows, a piece on maternal bonding and loss. Joanna also facilitates creative writing workshops. Last year she was involved in the development of the literary education programme Africa Writes: Young Voices, linking poets with London school students to explore writing from Africa and the diaspora.

Simone Douglas is a full-time illustrator and digital artist based in London. She aims to capture and deliver nostalgia through her artistic style and experimentation. She particularly loves portraiture and creating characters, but has recently found a love for environment art, where she brings life to characters within their worlds. Beyond drawing, Simone enjoys long walks, watching thrillers and playing the protagonist in an action/adventure game.

Look out for the first title in the series: The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Drama and Danger