The second children’s murder mystery from number-one-bestselling author of The Appeal, Janice Hallett, perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Rhian Tracey.

Imagine an old museum with more secrets than anyone could ever guess. A school trip that ends in murder. A crime unsolved for decades. . . But who did it?

Now, Ava and Luke are on the case, following the clues left in a new box of murders. Using School workbooks, museum records, secret recordings and letters the siblings start to unravel the mystery of a body in the basement. But can they discover what really happened . . . before the killer strikes again?

YOU know the facts. YOU have all the clues. Can YOU solve the mystery before they do?

About the Author

Janice Hallett is the author of five best-selling novels. Her debut, The Appeal, was awarded the CWA Debut Dagger of 2021 and was a Sunday Times’ Bestseller, Waterstones’ Thriller of the Month and Sunday Times’ Crime Book of the Month. Her second novel The Twyford Code was named Crime & Thriller Book of the Year in the British Book Awards 2023.

It was also a Sunday Times’ Bestseller and a Financial Times book of the year. The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels was an instant Times and Sunday Times bestseller on its launch in January 2023 and a Richard & Judy Book Club pick. The Christmas Appeal, a fast, fun and festive novella, was launched in October 2023. It was a Times and Sunday Times bestseller, while her 2024 novel The Examiner, was an instant Times and Sunday Times bestseller and a Financial Times Book of the Year.

Her fifth adult novel The Killer Question was published in September 2025 and became an instant Times and Sunday Times bestseller.

Janice's first novel for children aged 8-12 is A Box Full of Murders, published in June 2025 and shortlisted in the Children's Fiction category of the 2025 Books Are My Bag Readers' Awards.

A Box Full of Murders Two: Death at the Museum, will be published in June 2026 and is available to pre-order now.

The Silent Appeal, a new full-length novel in The Appeal series, will be published in September 2026 and is available to pre-order now.

Janice is a former magazine editor, award-winning journalist and government communications writer. As a playwright and screenwriter, she penned the feminist Shakespearean stage comedy NetherBard and co-wrote the feature film Retreat.