Solve the first mystery
Begin with The Name of this Book Is Secret and read the five novels in order.
Book Series · 5 Books
The Secret Books
In order from The Name of this Book Is Secret to You Have to Stop This.
Five funny, puzzle-filled middle-grade mysteries about Cass and Max-Ernest investigating coded clues, dangerous villains, and a secret society.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read The Secret Series
Read the five numbered novels in order, beginning with The Name of this Book Is Secret. The mystery, friendships, and conflict with the Midnight Sun continue across the series.
Write This Book is an optional activity book that invites readers to create a story with the author. It is not a sixth novel and is best enjoyed after a reader already knows the series' jokes and style.
Sources: Hachette's official Secret Series page, Hachette's complete five-book collection, Hachette's Write This Book page.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
Hachette recommends the series for ages 8–12. The books mix comic narration and wordplay with kidnappings, threats, villains, a secret society, dangerous chases, mummies, and references to death. There are creepy and gross-out moments, but the overall tone is playful rather than realistic or graphic.
Where to start
Where Should a New Reader Start?
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$958
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2007
The Name of this Book Is Secret
A young girl and her friend try to uncover the secrets behind a mysterious magician's death and a sinister plot to kidnap children with special talents.
360 pages· 58,214 words· Est. 8 hour read
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Cass and Max-Ernest, two daring 11-year-olds, stumble upon the Symphony of Smells, a mysterious box that leads them on a quest to find a missing magician. As they delve deeper, they face hair-raising adventures and sinister villains, all while uncovering a secret so big, even the book's name is hidden. What is this secret, and will they solve the mystery before it's too late?
In reading order
The Secret Series
5 books · Published 2007–2011
#1
Sale price
$958
The Name of this Book Is Secret
Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2007
A young girl and her friend try to uncover the secrets behind a mysterious magician's death and a sinister plot to kidnap children with special talents.
#2
Sale price
$999
If You're Reading This, It's Too Late
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2008
Secrets and danger await as two kids uncover a magical mystery.
#3
Sale price
$858
This Book Is Not Good for You
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2009
A kidnapped mom, a sinister chocolatier, and a legendary tuning fork. Can they save her?
#4
Sale price
$999
This Isn't What It Looks Like
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2010
Trapped in a medieval world, Cass must uncover secrets to return home before time runs out.
#5
Sale price
$958
You Have to Stop This
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2011
A broken mummy finger leads to a perilous quest for secrets and survival.
Activity Companion
Write Your Own Secret Story
1 book · Published 2013
Write This Book is a hands-on writing companion, not another installment in Cass and Max-Ernest's story.
Sale price
$858
Write This Book
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2013
The author is missing, and only you can finish the story. Can you solve the mystery?
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Secret series?
There are 5 books in the Secret series. It began with The Name of this Book Is Secret in 2007, and the newest book, You Have to Stop This, was published in 2011.
What order should you read the Secret books in?
Start with The Name of this Book Is Secret and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #5.
What ages are the Secret books best for?
The series is best for ages 8–12, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
Which Secret book is the longest?
This Isn't What It Looks Like (Book #4) is the longest book in the series at 68,480 words (423 pages).
Which Secret book is the shortest?
You Have to Stop This (Book #5) is the shortest at 53,247 words (347 pages).
The people
The Creative Behind the Books
The people who bring The Secret to life.
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