A 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.

Shortlisted for the Waterstones 2023 Children’s Book Prize

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 when their eyes meet in the audience of the Drury Lane theatre one night, both girls are sure they’ve seen something suspicious on stage.

Lizzie and Belle soon find themselves on the trail of a mystery – and becoming best friends. But can they work out what’s going on in time to prevent a murder?

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 second title in the series: The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Portraits and Poison