This is a super fun historical mystery with a quirky, precocious female protagonist. Myrtle reminds me of Flavia De Luce. I loved Nancy Drew growing up and this has a very similar feel but I like Myrtle even more than Nancy, especially Nancy from the original novels. Myrtle is resourceful, clever and funny. This is a perfect read for fans of Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, The Mysteries of Maisie Hitchens, The Wollstoncraft Detective Agency or Sherlock, Lupin and Me.

LOVVEEEEEED This book!!!!!! There's something about the sweetness and quirkiness of Middle Grade books that I can't get over no matter how old I get. I love the way they keep the reader interested in a different way other than a romance, or a thriller... There's something to be said about the innocence of pure mystery. The catch of a who-done-it! I felt that this book was an excellent example of not being able to stop reading once you've caught the investigator bug! Myrtle is a mini sherlock in her own way and I loved every bit of her smarts and drive to bring justice where it is lost. She was such a fun character to read about. She doesn't care if she's different from the other "respectable young ladies". She knows exactly what she likes and Morbid Myrtle or not, she could care less.. She has her governess Miss Judson and her intelligent Father to keep her company and the rest of the house staff who love her just the way she is.

My only complaint would be that they footnotes were all over the place in the ebook arc version and the chapter titles were a mess too... I feel like had this not been so frustrating this book would have been perfect! I'm not a huge fan of footnotes to begin with, I've read a few middle grade books that do this actually and I'm not entirely sure why this is a thing, just put it in parenthesis after the sentence if its that important it needs to be included. But to have to stop midsentence and search for some side thought and ruin the reading flow is a pet peeve of mine while I'm reading. Granted, they are pretty funny at times, but I still think that they could just be included in the paragraph instead of at the end of a page (or in this case, half way through the chapter in the middle of another sentence that has nothing to do with the original footnote) Half the time I couldn't even figure out where they were originally supposed to refer back to. It was sooooo confusing. I wish that it could have been a little better put together but I guess thats the downside of an arc vs a finished copy of a book.

Still, I would recommend this book to pretty much anyone who loves a good mystery. Myrtle the mini sherlock is a pleasure to read about and I had a great time going along for this journey with her. Definitely put this on your TBR if you enjoy books meant for a younger audience but still entertaining enough to be enjoyable for readers of all ages :) !

As a result of my various committee appointments and commitments I am unable to disclose my personal thoughts on this title at this time. Please see my star rating for a general overview of how I felt about this title. Additionally, you may check my GoodReads for additional information on what thoughts I’m able to share publicly. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this and any other titles you are in charge of.

This was a good story. This confident little girl loves the law and everything about it. This is for sure a book I will be getting for the library. The children will love to read this story and I am so glad to see they are going to have more books like this coming out.

This book reminded me of the Flavia de Luce series, only funnier and faster paced. I loved the humor in this. The whole crew was just great. I will definitely continue this series.

What's not to love in this first in what will hopefully be a very long series? Elizabeth Bunce gives us a spunky, intelligent heroine (who clashes horribly against the Victorian expectation that she be a Very Proper Young Lady), a twisty, entertaining whodunnit, some lively and suspicious characters, and an exceptional cat. The narrator's strong voice, matter-of-fact in recounting her funny and at times ridiculous escapades, is the highlight of this novel. Myrtle's footnotes to key the modern reader into the lingo and customs of her time, are hysterical as well. A must-read for fans of Enola Holmes and other "classic' detective fiction. 8 to 12. Five stars.

My Thoughts
I grew up on a steady diet of books, which included many mysteries, ranging from Enid Blyton’s Famous Five and Five Findouters (my favorite) to the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boy series as well Poirot and Perry Mason. Of course, I cannot forget Sherlock Holmes. And now I am totally a fan of Enola Holmes too. If you found yourself nodding at any of these things, even one, you will fall in love with Myrtle!

What I Loved
Of course, the clever titles!!! And then….

CHARACTERS
Elizabeth Bunce gives us characters to love, to like, to dislike, to hate, and everything else in between. I loved the truly diverse cast of characters, considering this is set in Victorian England (and their appearance makes sense too).

Myrtle Hardcastle is precocious, curious, passionate about forensics, and certainly not what a Young Lady of Quality should be like. Her desire to uncover the truth leads her to sticky situations; I love how she works to fix any mistakes she made the moment she realizes it. It is wonderful to see how her governess, Miss Judson, lets her be Myrtle while providing a voice of calm and wisdom when needed. I think Miss Judson is my favorite character (I love Myrtle too, but…)

And of course, I loved Arthur Hardcastle (Myrtle’s dad), Cook, Peony the cat, as well as the rest of the cast too! I almost forgot, Mr.Blakeney too….I know I would love to know someone like him.

THE PLOT AND THE PROSE
I loved all the twists and turns. While I had a pretty good idea of the main culprit early on, there were many things that took me by surprise, and I loved that the story kept me thinking and on my toes throughout. It was the process of uncovering the clues leading to that final who-did-it discovery that made it a fun read.

Myrtle’s first person narration, Dear Reader, takes us (the readers, I mean), on a exciting journey, sprinkled with wit and smartness. I loved how each chapter starts off with a quote from H.M.Hardcastle’s Principles of Detection setting the tone for that part. And fun, interesting footnotes placed every few pages make the reading more enjoyable!

One start of the chapter quote —

Never let your Investigations be hampered by outdated conventions of decorum. The pursuit of justice cannot be fettered by so-called “propriety.” — H.M. Hardcastle, Principles of Detection

One statement/phrase and its footnote —

She let me figure things out on my own, asking challenging questions as I went. * [and its footnote –] * a pedagogical technique known as the Socratic Method, named after the ancient Greek philosopher, which I understood was likewise popular with law schools. And vexed parents.

And the Other Side
Not much to complain about really except that I felt the book was a bit longer than expected. I have to admit I skimmed through some parts in the middle, but otherwise, this is a truly delightful tale of mystery, well, Myrtle!

In Summary
Definitely worth reading – for all age groups – regardless of the recommended age! It’ll keep you guessing, as well as delight and surprise you throughout. Myrtle Hardcastle is here to stay, and solve all that’s unsolvable!

Disclaimer: Read this via Netgalley as well as through the ARC physical copies received thanks to the publishers as part of the blog tour

Premeditated Myrtle and How to Get Away With Myrtle by Elizabeth C. Bunce were enthralling books. Full of twists, turns, and witty jokes, the series presents perplexing and unique mysteries. The characters never cease to excite and entertain. Myrtle, a 12-year-old girl detective living in 19th century England, is faced with the murder of her neighbor in Premediated Myrtle. Later, in How to Get Away With Myrtle, she investigates the murder of a fellow detective. The stories follow her continuous battle with society’s expectations and her search for the perpetrators. The books’ light-hearted tone, amusing dialogue, and intricate mysteries will keep all readers hooked!

These books are really great for a middle grade audience. I think that I have finally reached a point in my life though that middle grade books are just not entertaining anymore. 3 star rating because it wasn't bad for what it was, I just didn't finish it.

I could not finish this book. I like the premise but the language was off putting. I just couldn't picture kids wanting to read it. I hope I'm wrong because I like the character of Myrtle.

Set in Victorian England in:⁣
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Premeditated Myrtle:We meet 12-year-old amateur detective Myrtle with a keen interest in the tools of criminology and a nose for murder where her father is the local prosecutor. After the mysterious death of her neighbor, a wealthy spinster and eccentric breeder of rare flowers, Myrtle takes it upon herself to follow the clues official investigators missed alongside her unflappable governess, Miss Ada Judson, and her new cat, Peony in solving this mystery. ⁣

Ooo, I loved this one. The beginning was a bit shaky... the author plops your right in the thick of things and I wondered if I missed a previous book. No, this is the first in the series. I love the writing style and author's voice. There are so many great vocabulary words in here! The characters are fantastic and I learned quite a few things from them. The mystery is delectable; there are quite a few twists and turns. I guessed a few but certainly not all!

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own and are unbiased.

Premeditated Myrtle (Myrtle Hardcastle Mysteries No. 1) by Elizabeth C. Bunce; Algonquin Books for Young Readers, 368 pages ($17.95) Ages 10 and up.

...

This hugely entertaining, well-crafted Victorian whodunit marks the debut of 12-year-old sleuth Myrtle Hardcastle, a prosecutor's daughter with a nose for murder.

Thanks to the telescope she uses to spy on her neighbor's household routines, Myrtle is instantly aware something is amiss at Redgraves, the stately home of Miss Minerva Wodehouse. Police find Miss Wodehouse dead in her bathtub, apparently of natural causes, but Myrtle is certain the woman was murdered, particularly when she discovers that her neighbor's garden of valuable lilies has been destroyed. Her suspicions lead to the arrest of the woman's elderly gardener, but further investigation convinces her the man is innocent and points her in a new direction.

Feisty, forward-thinking Myrtle narrates the tale: "Other girls were tedious. There were some in my neighborhood, middle-class girls like me, but we rarely associated if we could help it. They looked on me as some sort of contagious specimen, and were quick with "advice" about my hair or dress, which did not seem kindly meant at all. For my part, I felt they showed a dismal lack of interest in viscera."

Period details add much to the story: Miss Wodehouse's famously Modern Bathroom, Mr. Hardcastle's support of "the Rational Dress Movement," advocating bloomers for women who wish to ride bicycles. The plot takes many interesting twists and turns as Bunce casts suspicion in many directions: a sinister nephew hanging about, a disinherited great-niece with an apparently shady past.

Among the portrait gallery of colorful characters are Myrtle's strict Aunt Helena, who wants Myrtle to behave like a young lady; governess Ada Judson, daughter of a Scottish minister and a French Guiana nurse, who joins Myrtle in her investigations; Myrtle's widowed, long-suffering father. Solitary, ill-tempered Miss Wodehouse, with her lily obsession and her rumored plan to replicate a mythical flower known as the Gilded Slipper, becomes more interesting as the story moves on. Miss Wodehouse's cat Peony plays a major role in the proceedings.

There's plenty of action, as Myrtle finds herself locked in the coroner's morgue where the police surgeon is conducting an experiment involving rotten mutton and blowflies to learn to better estimate the time of death. She talks her way into visiting the murder suspect in his jail cell and uses her knowledge of chemistry for the explosive finale.

Fans of "Premeditated Myrtle" will be happy to learn the second book in the series, "How to Get Away With Myrtle," a mystery set aboard a train, is also available.

A fun mystery! Definitely one I can give to the kids at work. I loved Myrtle as a character - strong, likeable, witty, clever - and am excited to read more about her in the coming books!

When I first saw Premediated Myrtle I was so excited because who wouldn't want a Victorian Sherlock Holmesesque book for kids? It should be great fun and it's something you just don't see around that much. And it ended up being such a delightful read. I thought Myrtle was a great lead who struggled with having "grown-up" interests and a higher intellect for her age versus what her father expected her to be like. The family dynamics, the many interesting suspects, and the clues that Myrtle discovered with the help of her governess Miss Judson were all great fun to discover. I would like more character growth with Myrtle in the upcoming books in her series since she can come off a little too stubborn. Overall, I had a good time with this middle-grade mystery and I would continue with the series.

I really wish i could have given this book to my child self. I enjoyed it as an adult, but young!Claire would have absolutely eaten it up. It reminds me of the Enola Holmes mystery series, and with the adaptation coming out on Netflix, the publication of this Myrtle Hardcastle series is timed perfectly. I hope that fans of Enola will discover Myrtle, because she's every bit as likable and resourceful. And this is coming from someone who LOVED the Enola Holmes series.

Myrtle is smarter than I am, and she is ten years younger. Honestly, my complaint is that I had a difficult time following the plot. I don't know what that says about me, but in my defense, I always have a hard time keeping up with mysteries. They are not my preferred genre, which is a big reason why I didn't rate this book higher. But this is a very well-plotted, tightly twisting mystery.

I loved the inclusion of an awesome governess, Miss Judson, and a clever little cat named Peony. They are great characters. I hear there is a scavenger hunt going on over on Instagram for the Myrtle series where you have to find Peony the cat, which is delightful.

In short, this would be an excellent choice for anybody who likes a cozy mystery and an unflappable, brilliant protagonist. Good for any age!

*Thank you to Algonquin Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Elizabeth Bunce writes a good mystery set in Victorian England with a strong female protagonist who has a sharp mind and isn’t afraid to use it...even in a time period when children are to be seen and not heard and girls are supposed to sew and arrange flowers. It is flowers that become the center of a possible murder, disgruntled heirs, and a particularly inquisitive cat. This series opener introduces readers to 12 year old Myrtle, her lawyer father, and her brilliant nanny. I found the start to be slow, but did get pulled in to the mystery and wondered to the end if I really had it figured out or not. Libraries with a readership in the mystery genre or those who enjoy historical fiction may want this one. Other useful library notes: target audience is likely grades 4-6, no sexual content, no profanity, the murder is fairly bloodless, most characters present as white with the notable exception of key figure Nanny Judson who is a POC.

This was a clever book with a clever young heroine. I think it would be right up the alley of readers who enjoy Sherlock Holmes-eque plots and dialogue. Great job!

Myrtle is so inquisitive and a very good detective. She gets herself into a lot of predicaments but easily figures her way out. Middle schoolers will enjoy this series. Can’t wait for more Myrtle escapades.

I was so excited to read Premeditated Myrtle, the first book in a new series introducing young sleuth Myrtle Hardcastle. Unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. While it can be compared to Sherlock Holmes or Nancy Drew in style and tradition, it just seemed dry for such a modern take.

Marketed as a middle grade mystery, I’m not sure that the target audience is going to really get this one. The mystery was convoluted, the footnotes throughout were clunky and random, and the time period the book was set in (the nineteenth century) was hard to find connection with without explanation (which, when attempted, added to the clunkiness of the novel).

The part of the book I enjoyed most was the characters and I do have to say that Myrtle is a spunky, sassy lead who is made for a series. I can see readers falling in love with the characters and wanting to follow more of their escapades.

Thank you NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for the eARC of this book!