Murder! By Narwhal!

❔🔐🕵️‍♀️👮

by Alex T Smith

★★★★

Review

I bought Murder! By Narwhal! Based on the glowing reviews that I read online and because murder mysteries are something that I love but don’t read enough of. Although it took me a few chapters to get into the flow of things, I was soon gripped and fully committed to solving the mystery myself before the end of the book! 

This story is incredibly well written and drips subtle clues throughout the story to help you try and solve the mystery yourself. I just admit that I was led astray a few times before finally reaching my final (and I’m pleased to say accurate) verdict. Edna’s investigation is fun, light hearted and very creative, packed full of mystery and excitement. 

Another thing to love about this book is the range of characters, from her ghastly and revoltingly mean grandfather, to her best friend who has lost his voice. Each character has their own mystery and motive to murder, creating a mansion full of whacky suspects. 

I also love the illustrations throughout the book which help the reader to understand the Gristle family tree which is a little complex at the start! Each chapter also begins with an illustration of a family possession that is key to the chapter ahead. These details are brilliantly fun and give you a little hint as to what to expect in the following pages. 

Overall, this is a very fun, clever and mind-boggling murder mystery which would make a great shared read between teacher and students or parent and child, with lots of opportunities for discussion and trying to crack the case before Edna does. There is plenty of humour and the murder and gore is kept to a minimum, making it suitable for age 7/8+! 

Dive Deeper

At a glance

Author: Alex T Smith

Cover artist: Alex T Smith

Release Date: 31st October 2024

Book type: Chapter, 432 pages

Reader level: Confident reader, Shared read 7+ (contains murder!)

Overview

Murder! By Narwhal! follows young Edna’s detective trail around her family mansion when he grandfather is found murdered by a narwhal tusk in his private office. With her whole family staying at the mansion for a celebration, and all doors and windows showing no sign of a break-in, Edna is left no choice but to suspect and investigate her very own family. As her case begins to come together, she soon realises that the perpetrator may well be someone a little too close for comfort. Can she break her family apart, or is the truth sometimes best swept under the very expensive antique family carpet?

Full of head-scratching clues, page-turning twists and a lot people acting suspiciously this is the first in a funny, spoofy middle-grade murder mystery series from bestselling author Alex T. Smith.

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