Poison is Not Polite – Shelf Awareness Review
We’ve had a few more lovely reviews of Poison is Not Polite (the US edition of Arsenic for Tea)! The first is from Shelf Awareness, in a review called (wonderfully) The Pleasure of Cosy-Dangerous.
Ali Davis writes:
‘It’s just a few steps from the cozy-dangerous boarding school of Harry Potter to the cozy-dangerous drawing rooms of classic British murder mysteries, via the witty, thoughtfully plotted middle-grade Wells & Wong novels… the U.S. versions retain their agreeable British flavor… Though solving the crime is always the bottom line, Stevens’s books satisfyingly explore the forging of a friendship between the two girls, and quietly make the point that adulthood involves facing uncomfortable facts. Even if you’re an adult fan of classic mysteries, these lightly gruesome tales are highly enjoyable bunbreak reading.’
Mystery & Mayhem reviewed in the Sun
Natasha Harding gave Mystery & Mayhem four stars, and called it: ‘A wonderful anthology of 12 new crime stories … there is something to suit every taste’.
Jolly Foul Play reviewed in the Sun
Natasha Harding, the reviewer, gave Jolly Foul Play four stars, and said: ‘With enough twists to satisfy young readers, it’s an exciting story.’
Jolly Foul Play reviewed in the Spectator
The Spectator has reviewed Jolly Foul Play! ‘It’s Agatha Christie for nine-year-olds with psychological insight from our Chinese heroine. Again, there’s a murder at Deepdean School, where no sensible parent should ever leave a child … I’m told by my child reviewer that the plot is ‘realistic’. Golly!’
Poison is Not Polite reviewed in the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Poison is Not Polite (the US edition of Arsenic for Tea) has had another lovely review in the Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books! They say … ‘The mystery itself is solidly constructed, and the solution is both surprising and logical. Fans of the first book will find this just as rewarding, and kids on the cusp of embracing Agatha Christie will enjoy testing their deductive skills here as well.’
Jolly Foul Play – Sunday Express Review
Jolly Foul Play has had another lovely review this weeknd – this time from the Sunday Express. It was included in their Easter books round-up for 10-13 year olds (along with two of my very favourite new books, The Mystery of the Jewelled Moth and Defender of the Realm). According to the Express, it’s ‘Another cracking mystery’ – I was so pleased with that quote that I bought myself an early Easter bunbreak!
Jolly Foul Play – Four Star Telegraph Review
This weekend, Jolly Foul Play was reviewed in the Telegraph. I’m completely delighted – this is an incredible honour – and they’ve given it an amazing write-up.
From the (four star!) review: ‘Robin Stevens has cleverly created a crossbreed of the detective and boarding school genres … [Stevens creates] a credible portrait of a lost age, but also one in which she can allude to issues familiar to modern readers.’
A Kirkus Star for Poison is Not Polite
I’m delighted to say that Poison is Not Polite, the US edition of Arsenic for Tea, has been given another review. This time it’s from Kirkus magazine – and they’ve given it a star as well! From the review:
‘Wells and Wong return in a classic country-estate mystery… this well-crafted and entertaining detective story, a stand-alone sequel to Murder Is Bad Manners (2014), is solidly set in a fading world of 1930s minor nobility and supported by a cast list and map. A first-rate whodunit, reminiscent of a game of Clue and terrific preparation for the works of Agatha Christie.’
Murder is Bad Manners is an ALA Notable Book
I’ve had more great news about my American books: the US edition of Murder Most Unladylike, Murder is Bad Manners, has been chosen as an ALA Notable Book for 2016!
According to the website, ‘Each year a committee of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) identifies the best of the best in children’s books. According to the Notables Criteria, “notable” is defined as: Worthy of note or notice, important, distinguished, outstanding. As applied to children’s books, notable should be thought to include books of especially commendable quality, books that exhibit venturesome creativity, and books of fiction, information, poetry and pictures for all age levels (birth through age 14) that reflect and encourage children’s interests in exemplary ways.’
This is a huge vote of confidence in my book, and it’s in formidable company.
Booklist starred review for Poison is Not Polite
Happy 2016! I’ve just found out that my year is off to a great start – Poison is Not Polite, the US edition of Arsenic for Tea, has been given its first review, and it’s a star from Booklist!
From the review: ‘After getting off to a good start in Murder is Bad Manners, Stevens perfects her take on the British murder mystery in the second book in the Wells & Wong series . . . Though Stevens handles the mystery element to perfection (the house diagrams are a nice touch, too), what really shines is the depiction of her characters, especially bossy, egocentric Daisy, and loyal, smart Hazel, always aware that she is “other.” A smashing good time.’