McKenzie, Sophie – The Bell Bookshop

Lessons in Death

Emma — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The first book in a new murder-mystery school series set at Mayfield Academy from Sophie McKenzie, the bestselling author of million-copy-seller, Girl Missing.

It’s a week into the summer term, the last day of April, and murder is the last thing on my mind . . .

Life at Mayfield Academy seems normal enough – that is until Georgia discovers the drama teacher, dead, in the school library. Then, when she goes back to look for him, having gone for help, his body has vanished.

Georgia knows what she saw, but only her best friend Billy believes her.

Determined to find out what has gone on, Georgia and Billy hunt for evidence with new girl, Wren. But with friendship dynamics also at play there’s a lot more at stake than dead bodies. And it’s not long before it becomes clear that someone is prepared to go to any lengths to stop their investigation . . .

Praise for Girl, Missing:
‘Page-turning’ The Independent
‘Will have you gripped for hours’ Sunday Express
‘Please read this book: it is brilliant!; The Guardian
‘Whenever I hear the phrase YA thriller I only ever think of one name – and that’s Sophie Mckenzie. Why? Because noboody does it better’ Phil Earle, award-winning author
‘Sophie’s thrillers are brilliant… you can’t stop reading’ Robert Muchamore, bestselling author
‘Brilliantly described, scary and touching’ The Daily Mirror

10 YEARS OF AWARDS FOR Girl, Missing
Manchester Children’s Book Awards
Bolton Children’s Book Award
Soilhill Book Award
Winner of the Sakura Medal
Red House Children’s Book Award
Richard and Judy Best Kids’ Book
Lewisham Children’s Book Award

Storm of lies

Emma — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Secrets and Lies are everywhere you look! And the storm is coming! The new teen thriller from Sophie McKenzie, the bestselling author of Girl Missing

Hollie has spent her whole life on the quiet south coast. She’s faced some tough challenges, but then who hasn’t? When she and her best friend, Parker, start a research project on the local sea-wall defences, the last thing she expects is to uncover a trail of lies that lead her – and those she loves most – into terrible danger. Soon Hollie finds herself at the centre of a growing storm, where she must fight to save everything: her friends, her family and her life . . .

Trapped

Emma — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 00:00:00 +0000

A dramatic coach crash forces Hailey to re-examine her relationships with her fellow singing-club members in this gripping drama from queen of teen thrillers Sophie McKenzie.

A singing-club trip ends in disaster when the coach carrying the members spins out of control. Hailey is trapped at the back of the coach with her nemesis Bex, who’s taken the lead role in their latest performance, and handsome Kit, on whom Hailey has a massive crush.

As the coach hangs over the edge of a precipice and Kit escapes to find help, Hailey and Bex have to get over their initial judgements about each other and work together if they are to stand a chance of survival.

Will they find a way to safety?

Secret sister

Emma — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Two sisters, two very different lives: the next edge-of-your-seat thriller by Sophie McKenzie, author of the bestselling, Girl Missing.

Asha has spent her life on an island community built on the principle of truth. But she discovers she has been lied to about something huge – a secret sister called Willow.

Willow has always believed her twin sister died years ago. So when she receives a message in the middle of the night from a girl claiming to be Asha, she doesn’t know what to think.

Can they piece together the truth about their pasts and find their way back to each other?

Truth Or Dare

Emma — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 00:00:00 +0000

When lies are everywhere, how far will you go for the truth? A tense eco-drama with an explosive twist from the million-copy selling author of Girl, Missing.

Fourteen-year-old Maya cannot believe she has to spend the summer with her grandmother, helping out at the family cosmetics firm. But things get much more exciting when she meets a community of activists who are campaigning against the dumping of chemical waste. Getting closer to one boy in particular, Bear, Maya is dared into joining one of their protest missions, but doesn’t know that her grandmother’s business is the target. Someone has been lying about their environmentally-friendly products, and as danger threatens, Maya must uncover the truth or betray her family forever.

In this edge-of-your-seat drama exploring the line between truth and lies, join millions of readers in discovering bestselling teen thrillers from Sophie McKenzie.

‘Sophie’s thrillers are in a league of their own – nobody does it better’ Phil Earle, author of When the Sky Falls

Hide and Secrets

Emma — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0000

A lonely girl, a missing father and a trail of lies . . . From the million-copy bestselling author of Girl, Missing, comes a blockbuster teen thriller that will have you looking for answers round every corner.

Fourteen-year-old Cat is lonely – reeling from the loss of her father, she’s disconnected from friends and fighting with her mum. But when a new boy, Tyler, arrives for the summer, Cat finds herself opening up to the handsome stranger. A shocking revelation about her dad turns Cat’s world on its head. She and Tyler uncover a series of secrets that take them on a perilous journey. With fresh lies exposed and threats from a dangerous gang revealed, will Cat risk everything to keep herself and her family safe?

An explosive, edge-of-your-seat new drama from the original queen of teen thrillers, Sophie McKenzie, for fans of Karen McManus and Holly Jackson.

‘Sophie’s thrillers are in a league of their own – nobody does it better’ Phil Earle, author of When the Sky Falls

Missing Me

Emma — Thu, 05 Sep 2019 00:00:00 +0000

The must-have third book in the bestselling, award-winning Missing series. From the million-copy selling, queen of teen thrillers Sophie McKenzie.

Six years have passed since the end of Sister, Missing and Madison is now a teenager. During a visit to older sister Lauren, she learns that their biological father was an anonymous sperm donor and sets out to track him down. Her search bears fruit sooner than expected, but is the father she discovers all he seems?

As Madison gets drawn into a mysterious investigation involving missing girls and secret hideaways, she finds herself embroiled in more and more danger. . .

Other books by Sophie McKenzie:
Girl, Missing
Sister, Missing
Boy, Missing
Hide and Secrets
Truth or Dare

Praise for Girl, Missing:
‘Page-turning’ The Independent
‘Will have you gripped for hours’ Sunday Express
‘Please read this book: it is brilliant!’ The Guardian
‘Whenever I hear the phrase YA thriller I only ever think of one name – and that’s Sophie McKenzie. Why? Because noboody does it better’ Phil Earle, award-winning author
‘Sophie’s thrillers are brilliant… you can’t stop reading’ Robert Muchamore, bestselling author
‘Brilliantly described, scary and touching’ The Daily Mirror

SISTER, MISSING PA

Emma — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 00:00:00 +0000

The gripping sequel to the bestselling, award-winning teen thriller Girl, Missing, by million-copy selling author Sophie McKenzie.

It’s two years after the events of Girl, Missing and life is not getting any easier for sixteen-year-old Lauren - exam pressure and a recent family heartbreak have taken their toll.

Hoping some time together away from everything will help, Lauren’s birth mother takes her and her two sisters on holiday, only for tragedy to strike again when one of Lauren’s sisters disappears, under circumstances very similar to those in which Lauren was taken years before. . . perhaps too similar to be a coincidence.

Can Lauren save her sister and stop the nightmare from happening all over again?

Other books by Sophie McKenzie:
Girl, Missing
Missing Me
Boy, Missing
Hide and Secrets
Truth or Dare

Becoming Jo

Emma — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 00:00:00 +0000

Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy: four sisters whose stories are forever imprinted in our hearts. But what if their stories had different endings?

Reimagined by bestselling author Sophie McKenzie and told through the eyes of everybody’s favourite sister, Becoming Jo perfectly captures the magic, exuberance and spirit of the original and much-loved book.

Over 150 years after its publication, Becoming Jo proves just how timeless the characters and themes found within Little Women really are.