New to the series
Start with Murder Most Unladylike, also published in the US as Murder Is Bad Manners.
Book Series · 9 Books
Murder Most Unladylike Books
In order from Murder Is Bad Manners to Death Sets Sail.
A 1930s mystery series about schoolgirl detectives Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong, whose clever investigations take them from Deepdean School to trains, theaters, and distant travels.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read the Murder Most Unladylike Books
Read the nine novels in order, beginning with Murder Most Unladylike and ending with Death Sets Sail. The individual cases are solved within each book, but Daisy and Hazel grow older and their friendship and family stories develop across the series.
US readers may know the first book as Murder Is Bad Manners and the second as Poison Is Not Polite; those are alternate titles for the same two stories. Cream Buns and Crime and Once Upon a Crime are optional short-story collections rather than books #10 and #11.
Sources: Robin Stevens's official book list, Robin Stevens on Once Upon a Crime.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
Although the mysteries have a cozy, friendship-centered style, they involve real murders, bodies, poisoning, threats, and dangerous confrontations. The violence is not described with graphic gore, but the stakes can still feel serious.
The 1930s setting also brings period racism, sexism, and other prejudice into Hazel and Daisy's experiences. These moments can open useful conversations with children, especially in stories set beyond Deepdean.
Where to start
Where Should My Child Start?
Publication order gives the clearest view of the detectives' changing friendship.
Wants shorter mysteries
Try the optional story collections after meeting Daisy and Hazel in the opening novels.
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$858
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2014
Murder Is Bad Manners
Two friends uncover a vanished body at their school. Can they solve the mystery before the killer strikes again?
336 pages· 58,450 words· Est. 6.5 hour read
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
Summary: At Deepdean School for Girls, Daisy and Hazel form a secret detective agency. When Hazel stumbles upon their science teacher's body, only for it to vanish, the duo is thrust into a real murder mystery. With suspects aplenty and motives lurking in every corner, they must gather evidence and outsmart a potential killer. As they delve deeper, the stakes rise—not just for solving the crime, but for their friendship. Can they crack the case before the murderer strikes again, or will their sleuthing put them in danger?
In reading order
Murder Most Unladylike Series
9 books · Published 2014–2020
#1
Sale price
$858
Murder Is Bad Manners
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2014
Two friends uncover a vanished body at their school. Can they solve the mystery before the killer strikes again?
#2
Arsenic for Tea
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2015
A birthday party turns deadly with poison and secrets. Can young detectives uncover the truth before it's too late?
#3
Sale price
$858
First Class Murder
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015
A murder on the Orient Express. Can two young detectives solve it before the killer strikes again?
#4
Sale price
$1899
Jolly Foul Play
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2016
A student is murdered on Bonfire Night. Can two friends solve the mystery before their school unravels?
#5
Sale price
$858
Mistletoe and Murder
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2016
A festive holiday turns deadly as two young detectives race to solve a murder before Christmas dinner.
#6
Sale price
$858
A Spoonful of Murder
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018
Framed for murder in Hong Kong, two young detectives race to clear their names.
#7
Sale price
$858
Death in the Spotlight
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018
A murder on stage threatens opening night. Can they catch the killer?
#8
Sale price
$1797
Top Marks for Murder
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019
A murder threatens Deepdean School's future. Can the young detectives save it?
#9
Sale price
$1797
Death Sets Sail
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020
A murder on the Nile cruise challenges two young detectives. Only one will return home.
Optional short mysteries
Murder Most Unladylike Story Collections
2 books · Published 2017–2021
Short cases and series extras featuring familiar characters. These collections add adventures without extending the nine-book novel sequence.
Sale price
$1697
Cream Buns and Crime
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2017
Unravel three mini-mysteries with young detectives facing vampires, missing ties, and more.
Sale price
$1697
Once Upon a Crime
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2021
Solve six intriguing mini mysteries with unexpected twists and clever detective work.
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Murder Most Unladylike series?
There are 9 books in the Murder Most Unladylike series. It began with Murder Is Bad Manners in 2014, and the newest book, Death Sets Sail, was published in 2020.
What order should you read the Murder Most Unladylike books in?
Start with Murder Is Bad Manners and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #9.
What ages are the Murder Most Unladylike books best for?
The series is best for ages 8–13, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
The people
The Creative Behind the Books
The people who bring Murder Most Unladylike to life.
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