One of the best things about this book is the friendship between Lizzie and Belle. The girls' bond is heart-warming and genuine, and the author does an excellent job of developing their characters throughout the story. Lizzie is curious, brave, and determined, while Belle is intelligent, compassionate, and resourceful. The dynamic between the two girls is realistic and relatable, and their relationship will likely inspire young readers to value the importance of true friendship. I’ve been able to do readings for the kids, hear from them, take questions about the history, hear their responses to the books and do what I really love best, which is to run creative writing workshops. The synopsisreads: "Twelve-year old girls 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. 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. Can they work out what is going on in time to prevent a murder?"

What an amazing historical mystery, it is so thrilling and really entertaining. I’m learning so much but also finding it such an unusual and fascinating mystery. It keeps unravelling but no answers are solved throughout most of the story, it takes a long time to be able to start piecing it together and solving it all. I was unable to piece it all together myself for most of it, you’d think one thing and then another thing is brought to light.

Customer reviews

The synopsis of the series reads: “Twelve-year-old girls 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. 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. Can they work out what is going on in time to prevent a murder?”

So I’ve been going in and working with smaller groups of young people and getting them to write letters in character, getting them to do a bit of drama and theatre themselves and writing.A daring mystery series set in vibrant Georgian London, The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries is about friendship, girl power and two enthusiastic detectives Lizzie and Belle. The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Drama and Danger has been shortlisted for the Waterstones 2023 Children’s Book Prize! The setting of London in 1777 comes across very clearly, and made me feel like I was really there. The illustrations by Simone Douglas are lovely, and really bring the story (even more) to life.

Overall, I thought this was a fantastic children’s crime story which managed to combine a political critique of slavery with an exciting mystery story that is accessible and enjoyable for young children. We spoke to Williams about her new book and how she came to tell these beautifully written stories … They team up, making notes and following suspects – until they’re plunged into terrible danger themselves. Can Lizzie and Belle navigate their new friendship, and stop the would-be murderer? Not only does this little book have such a vibe in connection with one of my childhood classics ‘the famous five’ , but it also brings across to young readers the important message about friendship, and highlights the struggles committed against people of colour at that time in a way in which the child reader can understand in a safe environment.

One night, while attending a performance at the Drury Lane theatre, Lizzie and Belle notice something suspicious happening on stage. They decide to investigate, which sets them off on a thrilling adventure full of danger and drama. The mystery is fast-paced and suspenseful, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers on the edge of their seats. Spelling Seeds have been designed to complement Writing Roots by providing weekly, contextualised sequences of sessions for the teaching of spelling that include open-ended investigations and opportunities to practise and apply within meaningful and purposeful contexts, linked (where relevant) to other areas of the curriculum and a suggestion of how to extend the investigation into home learning. Mae Lizzie Sancho’n byw gyda’i theulu mawr yn eu caffi yng nghalon Llundain brysur. Mae Dido Belle yn aeres unig sy’n byw gyda’i modryb a’i hewythr mewn plasty ger Hampstead Heath. Ond pan maen nhw’n dal llygaid ei gilydd yn y theatr un noson, mae’r ddwy wrth eu boddau o weld merch Ddu arall o’r un oed.

Space was at a premium. Believe me, neither Lizzie nor Tom the stage hand is going to have a room to themselves. Tom is ,likely to be renting a bed, or even a share in a bed, and that’s if he’s doing well. This vivid theatreland mystery - whose atmospheric setting recalls Phillip Pullman’s The Ruby and the Smoke series - is deeply rooted in the abolitionist milieu and resonates sonorously today.’The Observer, Chapter Books of the Month, 29th May 2022 - This novel is really amazing in many aspects. First of all, I liked the 18th century setting along with mystery and rich suspense. Plus we got to see the 18th century style Showbiz industry. The author has done a good job of adding historical facts within the storyline without it feeling like a history lesson. Lizzie and Belle are both sensible, likable characters and the secondary characters are all believable.The project was developed by Jasmine Richards at Storymix, who creates ‘Pathways’ for UK BME authors and illustrators into the creation of children’s books. Thank you so much author for the historical note at the end. It was really helpful and informative. Lizzie and Belle are such great characters and I loved following their adventures- Trying to get to the bottom of a mystery centred around a potentially fatal mishap at the theatre. I can already tell it’s going to be a great series for younger readers in the future!