After another dreary term away at school, Grace is desperate to see her mum and brother again. Excited to spend Christmas with them, she arrives in Bath full of expectation and happiness. But the family’s time together is suddenly interrupted when a shocking murder at their hotel throws everything into chaos. And when Grace’s mum disappears soon afterwards, Grace trusts nobody.

With her mum missing and younger brother Billy in tow, Grace enlists the help of new friends Olive and Doug. Streetwise and clever, they help Grace and Billy come up with a plan to find out why Mum left the hotel and what happened to her.

Full of twists and turns, the mystery takes the four friends on an adventure. And as they start to uncover the truth behind the murder, they wonder if anyone at the hotel is really who they say they are.

More exhilarating reads from Fleur Hitchcock:

Murder and mayhem disrupt a family Christmas by the sea – a perfect thriller to keep you gripped this festive season!

George and his family are celebrating Christmas by the sea. But when a body washes up on the beach, George can’t stop thinking about the strange lights he saw on the cliff top… Neither can his cousin, Isla. Together, they follow the clues, and as they draw nearer to the truth, they step further into danger. On land, or at sea, someone is desperate to stop them, whatever it takes. And that someone may be closer to home than they realise…

A gripping thriller for readers who like danger and mystery and chills and spills from the comfort of their sofas… Unputdownable.

The Times and Sunday Times Children’s Book of the Week.

“Much more Junior Line of Duty than Junior Miss Marple” – The Sunday Times

“Just the right level of intrigue and jeopardy” – The Times

When Lucas and Ruby find an abandoned trunk covered in snow, Lucas says there’s bound to be a body inside. Ruby laughs but what if he’s right? Nervously she starts to open it, and immediately wishes she hadn’t. From that moment on, they’re drawn into a thrilling mystery, one that they have to solve before the falling snow smothers all trace of wrongdoing…

Mouse, a foundling, loves her pieced-together family at the Moth Theatre fiercely. When their leading man, Walter, is wrongly arrested for murder, Mouse swears she’ll free him. But another member of the cast has a secret identity ï ¿ ½- as a ruthless killer. As Mouse’s investigation leads her ever closer to their true, deadly nature, can she outwit them without losing everything she holds dear?

A masterfully told adventure from the acclaimed author of The Boy Who Flew and Murder in Midwinter, Mouse Heart is ideal for fans of Philip Pullman, Katherine Rundell and Philip Reeve.

The lead actress in Frost Castle’s winter play is sure she’s cursed! A break-in, a car accident, and now her precious locket is missing. But the cousins suspect a ruthless thief. With a blizzard raging outside and a legendary ghost in the castle corridors, unmasking this villain will take all their bravery and skill…

Fleur Hitchcock is famous for her excellent “thrillers for beginners”. This action-packed series takes 7+ readers on fantastic, realistic adventures.

Cover illustration by Tom Clohosy Cole.

Don’t miss the other Clifftoppers adventures!

The Arrowhead Moor Adventure

The Thorn Island Adventure

The Fire Bay Adventure

Look out for Fleur Hitchcock’s stories for older readers:

Dear Scarlett

Saving Sophia

Murder In Midwinter

Murder At Twilight

The Boy Who Flew

When Viv has a fight with Noah, she doesn’t think it’ll be the last time she sees him. But when she gets back from school, he’s nowhere to be found and there are police cars everywhere, lights flashing and sirens blaring.

Viv is sure Noah’s run away to get attention. But it’s really cold, and getting dark, and the rain just won’t stop falling. So she sets off to look for him, furious at his selfishness, as the floodwaters rise. And then she finds him, and realises that a much more dangerous story is unfolding around them…

From the author of Dear Scarlett, Saving Sophia and Murder in Midwinter

“The story creeps in on you like darkness at dusk – a truly intriguing mystery!” – Chris Bradford, author of the Young Samurai series