By Claire Hatcher-Smith (author) Part of the The Mizzy Mysteries series
"Cracking crime caper and proof that not all heroes look the same."
Paperback In Stock £7.99 £7.19
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July 2026 Book of the Month
Mizzy, now thirteen and a bit, finds another case to solve in this cosy but nonetheless exciting new crime adventure and proves without doubt that not all heroes look the same. She is excited to be heading off to spend her half term with cousin Oli, the Watson to her Holmes, but to her immense disappointment, Oli seems to want to spend more time with his other cousins, sophisticated twins Mazza and Zor; worse, he refuses to share her excitement at investigating possibly mysterious goings on aboard the wreck of his grandad’s boat, and actually seems to be keeping secrets from her.
Mizzy is nothing if not determined however, and she sets out to investigate with the cousins’ little dog stepping into Oli’s role. A detective as talented as she is methodical, she uncovers family secrets as well as a plot to harm refugees staying in the village and works out exactly what’s been going on down at the beach.
Mizzy has Down Syndrome, but gives anyone who underestimates her abilities because of that short shrift. The story works on all sorts of levels: it’s a satisfying, well-plotted crime story, a thoughtful examination of people’s loyalties and prejudices, and it gives us insight into Mizzy’s life. Recommended to all fans of junior cosy crime , such as Niyla Farook’s Tariq Twins Mysteries which also feature a neurodivergent young detective.
A mysterious figure on an old fishing boat, anonymous postcards, disappearing cousins - Mizzy is thrilled to have a new mystery to solve! The next instalment in this charming series for middle-grade readers, starring a girl with Down syndrome.
Read the full description
Mizzy is spending half-term with cousins in St Jude's-on-Sea: a seaside town struggling to accommodate an influx of refugees. When she sees a spooky shadow on a wrecked old fishing boat on the shore, she thinks she's found her next mystery. But her cousins seem determined to keep her in the dark about their comings and goings to the wreck, and she's left alone to help their old Greek-Cypriot grandfather Papou sort out his papers.
Then an anonymous postcard arrives for Papou, featuring a picture of the old wreck and the words WHAT REALLY HAPPENS? Mizzy must solve the mystery of the postcard sender and prove once again that she is the best detective in town.
‘A unique and delightful heroine’ — Guardian
Genuinely brilliant neurodivergent representation ... Hatcher-Smith has created a truly unique heroine in Mizzy, who is smart and brilliantly stubborn ... The story is taut and twisting – peopled with a cast of fantastically English eccentrics – and the denouement is pleasingly unguessable. A brilliant debut.’ Charlotte Eyre, The Bookseller
‘A brave, funny and insightful character who you will love and root for from the very first page. Mizzy will inspire you to fight for what you believe in and reach for the stars, as she tries to crack the case and prove whodunnit! A fabulous story, with truly wonderful representation. We do need these books.’ Mel Darbon, multi-award-winning author of Rosie Loves Jack
'I relate to Mizzy in so many ways — our curiosity, our love for problem solving, and we both have big dreams. We also happen to have an extra chromosome in common, and I love that it's the least interesting thing about her!' - Madison Tevlin, Host, Actor, Model & Advocate
'Young readers will adore this unique and endearing new sleuth' - Kenneth Oppel
Claire Hatcher-Smith has worked with children for thirty years and never met a kid she didn't like (even the sticky ones). She believes every child has the right to be seen and heard, even if, especially when, it makes other people uncomfortable.
Originally from the UK, Claire now lives surrounded by sea on Vancouver Island, with her partner, their son and a Korean rescue dog.
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The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Mizzy Mysteries: The Shadow on the Wreck and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
The Mizzy Mysteries: The Shadow on the Wreck features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Books of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Adventure Stories, Crime & Mystery, The Natural World, PSHE: Special educational needs and disability (SEND), Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children’s / Teenage general interest: Ponies, horses and related animals, Children’s / Teenage social topics: Migration / refugees, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Military and war fiction, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Large land mammals, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Mammals, Children’s / Teenage: General interest, Children’s / Teenage: Social issues / topics
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Mizzy Mysteries: The Shadow on the Wreck was written by Claire Hatcher-Smith and published by Farshore an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
The Mizzy Mysteries: The Shadow on the Wreck has 260 pages
Yes it is part of The Mizzy Mysteries series
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
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