The Very Merry Murder Club
Murder Club Series
What’s inside...
A wintery middle grade mystery collection of short stories by thirteen of the most exciting and diverse authors in children's books today! Co-edited by Serena Patel, the award-winning author of the Anisha: Accidental Detective series and by Robin Stevens, author of the bestselling Murder Most Unladylike series. Sleuthing through the snow, on a merry mysterious day, in disguise we go, investigating all the way. This gorgeous Christmas hardback gift of a collection brings together thirteen of the bestselling, award-winning and exciting debut authors: Abiola Bello, Annabelle Sami, Benjamin Dean, E.L. Norry, Elle McNicoll, Dominique Valente, Joanna Williams, Maisie Chan, Nizrana Farook, Patrice Lawrence, Roopa Farooki, Serena Patel and Sharna Jackson. Join them as part of the Very Merry Murder Club as they lead you on a snow-covered wintery journey of Christmassy crimes, festive foul play and murderously magnificent mysteries!
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
336 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think motivates the characters to solve the mysteries in the stories?
How do the different settings affect the mood and the unfolding of the mysteries?
What qualities do the characters have that help them work together and solve the mysteries?
How do the characters change from the beginning to the end of the stories?
What lessons can we learn about friendship and teamwork from 'The Very Merry Murder Club'?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in the shoes of the characters and ask how they would react in similar situations.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and how the characters collaborate to solve mysteries, highlighting examples from the book.
Ask your child to predict future events or the outcomes of the mysteries before they finish the story, and compare their predictions with the actual outcomes.
Explore the cultural aspects presented in the book, discussing how diversity can enrich problem-solving and perspectives.
After reading, engage in a creative activity like drawing scenes or creating alternative endings to foster deeper connection with the book’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: The characters in 'The Very Merry Murder Club' collaborate to solve mysteries, demonstrating how working together can achieve better outcomes than working alone.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in their communities, learning to share ideas and solve problems cooperatively.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, the young detectives employ critical thinking and problem-solving skills to unravel the mysteries they encounter.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think critically in their daily lives, whether when dealing with personal challenges or school projects, enhancing their decision-making abilities.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding diverse perspectives
Explanation: As the characters interact with different suspects and witnesses, they learn to understand and empathize with various viewpoints and backgrounds.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be more empathetic and considerate of others' feelings and experiences, promoting inclusivity and understanding in their interactions.
Example Lesson: The value of perseverance
Explanation: The young detectives face numerous challenges and setbacks in their quest to solve the mysteries, yet they persist until they find the solutions.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of not giving up in the face of difficulties, encouraging resilience and determination in achieving their goals.