By Kaz Penney (author) , Sammy Elgie (illustrator) Part of the Will Shakespeare Mysteries series
"Bursting with hilarious hijinks, this Middle Grade mystery story sees a young Will Shakespeare solve a stinky crime so Master Ronaldo and Judy Capulet can be married."
Paperback In Stock £7.99 £7.19
View All Editions (1)
First book in the Will Shakespeare Mysteries series, Kaz Penny’s The Stinky Stolen Toenails presents a manic mash-up of mystery and history, with the zippy, zany text further enlivened by Sammy Elgie’s characterful illustrations and the book’s excellent design. Think ink splats aplenty and a whole lot of invention on the font front.
“The name’s Shakespeare. Will Shakespeare. Or possibly Will Shaksper. Or Will Shackspeare — I’ve not decided yet”. Thus Will introduces himself to his readers, kicking off a comic crime-caper take on Romeo and Juliet that sees the young self-proclaimed genius resolve to become the “GREATEST PERSON-WHO-SOLVES-CRIMES in the world!”, despite living a humdrum life with his EXTREMELY DULL family in Stratford-upon-Avon, “probably the most boring town in the whole of England, or maybe even THE WORLD”.
Will’s first mission is summed up by his trusty sidekick Tybalt, a passionate poet, as being “the tragic story of Ronaldo and Judy/Their families fell out because their grandads were rude-y”, and begins when Ronaldo Moundsofgoo’s valuable family heirloom (an old bag of Henry VIII’s stinky toenails) goes missing. Believed to possess healing powers, if Ronaldo can’t find the treasure, his marriage to Judy Catapult will be called off. Cue Will stepping in, and stepping up, to solve the crime.
Stacked with a cast of larger-than-life characters that stack the odds against Will and Tybalt, The Stinky Stolen Toenails is a jamboree of comic adventure, and ideal for fans of fast-paced funny fiction.
Will Shakespeare knows he’s destined to be a genius at something, and he thinks that thing is becoming the greatest person-who-solves-crimes in the world. Trouble is, he’s part of a boring family living in Stratford-upon-Avon, possibly the most boring town in England. But, when the famous (for Stratford-upon-Avon) Moundsofgoo Treasure* goes missing, he might finally have a crime to solve.
Read the full description
(*the treasure is an old bag of Henry VIII’s stinky toenails that everyone believes hold healing powers.)If he can find the Treasure, Ronaldo Moundsofgoo will be able to marry Judy Catapult. If he can’t, the wedding won’t take place. Can Will (and best friend Tybalt, but mostly Will) battle sulky squires, wily wool-cleaners and unscrupulous alchemists to reclaim the Treasure and prove that Will is definitely more brilliant than his annoyingly sporty and well-behaved younger brother? Oh, and give Judy and Ronaldo their happy ending, too?
Hilariously illustrated throughout by debut talent, Sammy Elgie. Loki meets Horrible Histories in Stratford-upon-Avon starring history’s favourite genius, a young Will Shakespeare.
'Fizzes with mischief and wit!’ Clare Harlow, Author of the Tidemagic series
‘I love this book’ - Louie Stowell, author of Loki
Kaz Penney is the co-author of seven novels for young adults, including the House of Shadows and Throne of Swans duologies, which she wrote with her sister as Katharine Corr. The Will Shakespeare Mysteries series is her middle grade debut. Kaz loves Jane Austen, cosy crime and all things mythological and mysterious, and lives in Surrey with her husband, daughters and cats.
the best books for 9-12 year olds
Chicken Hill: Frozen Squirrel Rescue Mission
Anisha, Accidental Detective: Christmas Chaos
Eddie Albert and the Amazing Animal Gang: The Amsterdam Adventure
Space Detectives: Extra Weird Creatures
Will Shakespeare knows he’s destined to be a genius at something, and he thinks that thing is becoming the greatest person-who-solves-crimes in the world. Trouble is, he’s part of a boring family living in Stratford-upon-Avon, possibly the most boring town in England.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Will Shakespeare Mysteries : The Stinky Stolen Toenails and determined it is suitable for children aged 7-10 years old
Will Shakespeare Mysteries : The Stinky Stolen Toenails features in the following genres: Featured Books for 7+ readers, Featured Books for 9+ readers, Recommendations, Adventure Stories, Crime & Mystery, Funny, People / Places, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage: General interest
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
Will Shakespeare Mysteries : The Stinky Stolen Toenails was written by Kaz Penney and published by Andersen Press an imprint of Andersen Press Ltd
Will Shakespeare Mysteries : The Stinky Stolen Toenails has 240 pages
Yes it is part of Will Shakespeare Mysteries series
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
©PTC International Ltd T/A LoveReading is registered in England. Company number: 10193437. VAT number: 270 4538 09. Registered address: 157 Shooters Hill, London, SE18 3HP. Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer
The National Year of Reading starts here. Join thousands of families and schools supporting reading for pleasure across the UK.