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The Beanstalk Murder
THE BFG meets MURDER MOST UNLADYLIKE in this giant-sized whodunnit with a witchy twist, from the author of the bestselling The Train to Impossible Places.
Trainee meadow witch Anwen is having a bad day - which gets much worse when a dead giant falls from the sky and destroys her village. But when she examines the body she discovers something interesting. This giant was murdered, which means a killer is on the loose!
Tasked with sending a message to the giant kingdom via beanstalk, Anwen and her nemesis, trainee sorceress Cerys, accidentally find themselves whipped up into the sky and deposited in the giants' royal palace - where the king is missing. Using their perfect spy-size and witchy skills, the girls must track down his killer. But how can you investigate a murder mystery when you risk being stepped on by your suspects?
Trainee meadow witch Anwen is having a bad day - which gets much worse when a dead giant falls from the sky and destroys her village. But when she examines the body she discovers something interesting. This giant was murdered, which means a killer is on the loose!
Tasked with sending a message to the giant kingdom via beanstalk, Anwen and her nemesis, trainee sorceress Cerys, accidentally find themselves whipped up into the sky and deposited in the giants' royal palace - where the king is missing. Using their perfect spy-size and witchy skills, the girls must track down his killer. But how can you investigate a murder mystery when you risk being stepped on by your suspects?
320 pages, Paperback
Published August 1, 2024
10 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
About the author
P.G. Bell
32 books146 followersP.G. Bell is a native of south Wales, where he was raised on a diet of Greek mythology, ghost stories and Doctor Who. He's had all sorts of jobs over the years, from lifeguard to roller coaster operator, but all he's ever really wanted to do is write stories for a living. And now he does! He lives in Wales with his wife Anna and their two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 7, 2024
I received a gifted copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by Kaleidoscopic book tours.
The Beanstalk Murder is a fun, cleverly plotted children's chapter book with a great cast of characters. Anwen is a hedge witch and longs to become more. When a giants dead body falls from the sky onto her little village, a murder mystery unfolds. And when their plan to send a message to the giants via a message tacked to a Beanstalk goes wrong and Anwen and her nemesis Cerys end up in the land of the giants; the pair must work together and uncover why the giant king was murdered and who did it.
The reveal of the murderer was unexpected as it wasn't who I thought it was going to be, and I enjoyed seeing Anwen and Cerys' friendship change from enemies to friends, too. This was a fun, engaging, and clever story I couldn't put down.
The Beanstalk Murder is a fun, cleverly plotted children's chapter book with a great cast of characters. Anwen is a hedge witch and longs to become more. When a giants dead body falls from the sky onto her little village, a murder mystery unfolds. And when their plan to send a message to the giants via a message tacked to a Beanstalk goes wrong and Anwen and her nemesis Cerys end up in the land of the giants; the pair must work together and uncover why the giant king was murdered and who did it.
The reveal of the murderer was unexpected as it wasn't who I thought it was going to be, and I enjoyed seeing Anwen and Cerys' friendship change from enemies to friends, too. This was a fun, engaging, and clever story I couldn't put down.
May 19, 2024
The Beanstalk Murder
Written by P.G. Bell
Published by Usborne.
As soon as I picked this up I knew this was going to be something special.
Everything about the blurb sounded perfect, and by the end of the first chapter I was completely hooked.
Anwen Sledge, an eleven-year-old Meadow Witch apprentice, lives with her grandma in a rural village that hasn't seen giants since the Great Beanstalk War. So when a giant falls right onto them, it's quite a surprise. And it's an even bigger surprise when they discover that the giant was dead BEFORE he hit the ground. Anwen, her grandmother, and Anwen's rival, Cerys, will have to plant a magic beanstalk and send a message to the giants in the Sky Kingdom.
But Anwen and Cerys get stuck to the beanstalk and find themselves shot up to the Sky Kingdom and surrounded by giants! There, they learn that the dead giant was a king. Since the giants have no magic beanstalks of their own, it’ll be a few days before they can send the girls home. Meadow Witch (in training) Anwen has a duty to the dead so she’s determined to help solve the case, despite Cerys’s doubts in her.
With the help of a pageboy, a few new animal friends, and her reluctant rival, can Anwen figure out who killed the king before it’s time to go home? Or before the killer strikes again?
Oh how I adored everything about this book, the characters were perfect, the plot was cleverly thought out, the murderer was a complete surprise, I thought it was going to be someone else. I thought they were such a random cast of characters, which made it all the more fun.
I loved the relationship between Anwen and Cerys and how during the course of the book their relationship changed.
I loved the scenes when they first arrived at the Sky Kingdom and thought it was funny they were given a doll’s house to live in.
I am convinced that there are more adventures that could happen with this series of characters and I hope that the author will revisit them again.
I have been thinking a lot about this book and the only words I can come up with to express how I feel about this is that THIS IS MY BOOK OF 2024.
It was so perfect in every way.
Written by P.G. Bell
Published by Usborne.
As soon as I picked this up I knew this was going to be something special.
Everything about the blurb sounded perfect, and by the end of the first chapter I was completely hooked.
Anwen Sledge, an eleven-year-old Meadow Witch apprentice, lives with her grandma in a rural village that hasn't seen giants since the Great Beanstalk War. So when a giant falls right onto them, it's quite a surprise. And it's an even bigger surprise when they discover that the giant was dead BEFORE he hit the ground. Anwen, her grandmother, and Anwen's rival, Cerys, will have to plant a magic beanstalk and send a message to the giants in the Sky Kingdom.
But Anwen and Cerys get stuck to the beanstalk and find themselves shot up to the Sky Kingdom and surrounded by giants! There, they learn that the dead giant was a king. Since the giants have no magic beanstalks of their own, it’ll be a few days before they can send the girls home. Meadow Witch (in training) Anwen has a duty to the dead so she’s determined to help solve the case, despite Cerys’s doubts in her.
With the help of a pageboy, a few new animal friends, and her reluctant rival, can Anwen figure out who killed the king before it’s time to go home? Or before the killer strikes again?
Oh how I adored everything about this book, the characters were perfect, the plot was cleverly thought out, the murderer was a complete surprise, I thought it was going to be someone else. I thought they were such a random cast of characters, which made it all the more fun.
I loved the relationship between Anwen and Cerys and how during the course of the book their relationship changed.
I loved the scenes when they first arrived at the Sky Kingdom and thought it was funny they were given a doll’s house to live in.
I am convinced that there are more adventures that could happen with this series of characters and I hope that the author will revisit them again.
I have been thinking a lot about this book and the only words I can come up with to express how I feel about this is that THIS IS MY BOOK OF 2024.
It was so perfect in every way.
July 11, 2024
No one in the village has seen a giant since the last war. But when a giant body falls through the sky and is found dead. To avoid any further trouble Anwen (the meadow witch) & Cerys (the best at High Magic) decide to send a plea for help to the giant kingdom by planting a beanstalk. Little did they know this would result in them being transported to that very kingdom.
Astonished to find that the person who died is a King, the two have to stay at the palace until the giants develop a non-magical way to transport them back to their homeland below. It's a chance for Anwen to put her itching brain to the test and solve this murder mystery with a few obstacles and a few new friends in the foreign land.
I enjoyed this short and crisp adventurous mystery and the unique style of investigation. Because the pacing was fast & the characters had a real touch to them, it easily turned into a favourite. If one had to pick this book up just for 3 reasons, I would say the plot, the pacing and the characters. For anyone looking out for a cosy mystery not based in a cafe/bakery, yet having the sparks, check this out.
Astonished to find that the person who died is a King, the two have to stay at the palace until the giants develop a non-magical way to transport them back to their homeland below. It's a chance for Anwen to put her itching brain to the test and solve this murder mystery with a few obstacles and a few new friends in the foreign land.
I enjoyed this short and crisp adventurous mystery and the unique style of investigation. Because the pacing was fast & the characters had a real touch to them, it easily turned into a favourite. If one had to pick this book up just for 3 reasons, I would say the plot, the pacing and the characters. For anyone looking out for a cosy mystery not based in a cafe/bakery, yet having the sparks, check this out.
January 13, 2025
This was such good fun! I really enjoyed it, and I loved the audiobook.
September 1, 2024
The comp titles are perfect descriptors for this fun adventure mystery. BFG meets Murder Most Unladylike.
Trainee meadow witch and budding investigator Anwen is a fabulous heroine. Plucky, go getting, able to talk to animals. But she can’t do high magic, so she is forced to work with her nemesis Cerys. A magic bean and an unplanned beanstalk ride later and the two of them are stuck in the Sky Kingdom, desperate to get home. But they may as well use their time wisely to find out who killed the Giant King who flattened their land and in doing so help to prevent war restarting between their two lands.
Full of twists and nefarious plots this one might keep your young sleuths guessing. There were definitely a few times I got caught out, and a few subtle hints I picked up on early evening though I didn’t match them up with their whys until the very end.
The sniping between Anwen and Cerys was a lot of fun and they balanced each other out well in terms of their strengths and weaknesses. At the end of the book there’s suggestion of another tale but with different characters. I’d be more than happy to read more about the adventures of these two though.
Help from seagulls, pigeons, mice and bees as well as their Giant hosts keeps the adventure racing along. Older readers (i.e. parents might enjoy this as a bookish flashback to Honey I Shrunk the Kids).
All of the characters are larger than life, even when they are tiny, but there two stands outs (other than the girls of course) for me. The art critic pigeon and the kind and caring Captain of the Guard. I did enjoy how he valued and respected Anwen’s contribution to solving the mystery.
This would make a perfect bed time story now the darker nights are drawing in because despite it being a murder mystery it’s not too scary - until cats are involved!
Thanks to Bee at Kaleidoscopic Tours and Usborne for the gifted copy for the purposes of an honest review.
Trainee meadow witch and budding investigator Anwen is a fabulous heroine. Plucky, go getting, able to talk to animals. But she can’t do high magic, so she is forced to work with her nemesis Cerys. A magic bean and an unplanned beanstalk ride later and the two of them are stuck in the Sky Kingdom, desperate to get home. But they may as well use their time wisely to find out who killed the Giant King who flattened their land and in doing so help to prevent war restarting between their two lands.
Full of twists and nefarious plots this one might keep your young sleuths guessing. There were definitely a few times I got caught out, and a few subtle hints I picked up on early evening though I didn’t match them up with their whys until the very end.
The sniping between Anwen and Cerys was a lot of fun and they balanced each other out well in terms of their strengths and weaknesses. At the end of the book there’s suggestion of another tale but with different characters. I’d be more than happy to read more about the adventures of these two though.
Help from seagulls, pigeons, mice and bees as well as their Giant hosts keeps the adventure racing along. Older readers (i.e. parents might enjoy this as a bookish flashback to Honey I Shrunk the Kids).
All of the characters are larger than life, even when they are tiny, but there two stands outs (other than the girls of course) for me. The art critic pigeon and the kind and caring Captain of the Guard. I did enjoy how he valued and respected Anwen’s contribution to solving the mystery.
This would make a perfect bed time story now the darker nights are drawing in because despite it being a murder mystery it’s not too scary - until cats are involved!
Thanks to Bee at Kaleidoscopic Tours and Usborne for the gifted copy for the purposes of an honest review.
August 2, 2024
4.5 stars!
Charming, compelling, and fun! An incredibly enjoyable middle-grade fantasy and mystery adventure!
-
Summary:
Usually, the biggest problems in Anwen's life are her fights with her rival, Cerys, and her lessons from her grandmother in Meadow Witch magic. Then a giant falls out of the sky and right into her rural village. Even worse, the giant was apparently dead before he even fell out of the Sky Kingdom, and it looks like murder.
It falls on Anwen and her grandmother, with the reluctant help of Cerys, to send a message to the Sky Kingdom informing them of the situation, but when attempting to attach a note to the top of an illegal magic beanstalk, Anwen gets stuck, and she and Cerys are dragged all the way to the Sky Kingdom themselves. There, they discover that the dead giant was the king, and with the palace in an uproar, Anwen is determined to do her duty as a Meadow Witch by investigating the murder, and solve the case to prove herself to Cerys once and for all.
-
This book was so much fun! I really enjoyed pretty much everything about it. The characters were great, the plot was engaging, the mystery was compelling, and it was perfectly written for a middle-grade audience--and still enjoyable for adult readers as well!
The audiobook narration of this book was amazing. Bronwen Price did such a good job with all the character voices and really made the story come to life! The accents were so nice to listen to, and the pacing and flow of the recording was perfect. I absolutely loved listening to this book.
What I loved:
- This story was just so much fun!
- Incredible narration! I loved all the character voices and the way Bronwen Price told the story.
- Great characters, and fun world-building.
- I really loved getting to see the character of Cerys blossom throughout the story as Anwen spent more time with her.
- The mystery was really well done with lots of twists and turns and hidden clues throughout the book.
What I didn't like:
- A minor thing, but I would have liked a little more context for what made Anwen and Cerys' relationship as bad as it was at the beginning of the book. I doubt most middle grade readers will question this, so it's not a big deal, but as an adult reader I kept wondering what on earth made them start acting so terribly to each other.
Overall, I really liked this book and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to any middle-grade reader interested in fantasy, mystery, adventure, or just a good time!
Thank you to NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing, and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Charming, compelling, and fun! An incredibly enjoyable middle-grade fantasy and mystery adventure!
-
Summary:
Usually, the biggest problems in Anwen's life are her fights with her rival, Cerys, and her lessons from her grandmother in Meadow Witch magic. Then a giant falls out of the sky and right into her rural village. Even worse, the giant was apparently dead before he even fell out of the Sky Kingdom, and it looks like murder.
It falls on Anwen and her grandmother, with the reluctant help of Cerys, to send a message to the Sky Kingdom informing them of the situation, but when attempting to attach a note to the top of an illegal magic beanstalk, Anwen gets stuck, and she and Cerys are dragged all the way to the Sky Kingdom themselves. There, they discover that the dead giant was the king, and with the palace in an uproar, Anwen is determined to do her duty as a Meadow Witch by investigating the murder, and solve the case to prove herself to Cerys once and for all.
-
This book was so much fun! I really enjoyed pretty much everything about it. The characters were great, the plot was engaging, the mystery was compelling, and it was perfectly written for a middle-grade audience--and still enjoyable for adult readers as well!
The audiobook narration of this book was amazing. Bronwen Price did such a good job with all the character voices and really made the story come to life! The accents were so nice to listen to, and the pacing and flow of the recording was perfect. I absolutely loved listening to this book.
What I loved:
- This story was just so much fun!
- Incredible narration! I loved all the character voices and the way Bronwen Price told the story.
- Great characters, and fun world-building.
- I really loved getting to see the character of Cerys blossom throughout the story as Anwen spent more time with her.
- The mystery was really well done with lots of twists and turns and hidden clues throughout the book.
What I didn't like:
- A minor thing, but I would have liked a little more context for what made Anwen and Cerys' relationship as bad as it was at the beginning of the book. I doubt most middle grade readers will question this, so it's not a big deal, but as an adult reader I kept wondering what on earth made them start acting so terribly to each other.
Overall, I really liked this book and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to any middle-grade reader interested in fantasy, mystery, adventure, or just a good time!
Thank you to NetGalley, Brilliance Publishing, and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 26, 2024
4.5 stars. What a pleasant surprise gem of a book! Classic who-done-it murder mystery set in the Jack and the Beanstalk world. Well written, well thought out (ending was genuinely surprising), good characters/character development, not too over the top, believable, charming. Loved it so much!
August 30, 2024
What a fantastic read? I loved the twist of using an old style fairy tale but with an added modern spin. I was genuinely guessing the whole way through, and spent the last bit with my mouth wide open as the facts were revealed. Can’t wait to try the next one.
May 17, 2024
god, I properly loved this! It’s funny and charming. A gorgeous spin on a well known tale, and I’d love more in this vein! When a giant falls down the beanstalk MURDERED, it’s up to the fairies to solve the murder! Gorgeous characters, brilliantly written and properly unputdownable.
June 9, 2024
What worked:
The conflicted relationship between Anwen and Cerys is a highlight as the girls try to solve the mystery of the giant king. Cerys is a highly skilled student of High Magic at the academy while Anwen is training with her grandmother to become a Meadow Witch. Cerys doesn’t mask her disdain for the other girl when she calls Anwen a ditch witch and subtle insults continue throughout the story. Being thrown into the giants’ kingdom forces them to work together no matter how strained their past might be. This isn’t to say the transition is smooth as the conflict adds tension and interest to the plot. Cerys eventually reveals secrets about her life that help Anwen understand the girl’s anger.
Solving the king’s murder is the main focus of the plot and readers will follow Anwen’s investigation and collection of clues. Her efforts are complicated since the giants are suspicious of the tiny “vermin” and don’t want them running around freely. Also, palace cats will gladly each them for breakfast! However, Anwen is a determined character and manages to find ways to maneuver around the giant palace. She investigates which giants have motives and opportunities to kill the king even if the characters seem beyond suspicion, like the princess. The Chamberlain immediately dislikes Anwen and Cerys and suggests the princess kill them right away but he also seems to hate everyone. Anwen’s grandmother is finding clues down in Old Stump but there’s no way to communicate with her granddaughter. Readers will have an advantage over the characters as they’ll be able to piece the evidence together. The author saves a twist near the end as Anwen senses she still doesn’t have the whole story.
The early part of the book will be familiar to young readers as it’s related to the tale of Jack and the Beanstalk. Having a giant fall into the middle of Old Stump leaves quite an impression, pun intended, and the plot follows its own creative path after that. The author does a great job of describing the challenges of being tiny in a giant setting since Anwen and Cerys can’t quickly or easily move about the castle or even a room. Moving between areas of the structure can be miles away to them so they’re forced to find other means of transportation.
What didn’t work as well:
The plot feels fairly predictable although the author still manages to find room for some surprises. This familiar, user-friendly format will help young readers become accustomed to solving perplexing mysteries as they transition into books with more complex text.
The final verdict:
The mystery, humor, and recognizable style make this book fun to read. The delicate balance in the relationship between Anwen and Cerys adds emotion to the plot and helps readers connect with the characters. Overall, this book will appeal to lovers of folklore and fairy tales and I recommend you give it a shot.
The conflicted relationship between Anwen and Cerys is a highlight as the girls try to solve the mystery of the giant king. Cerys is a highly skilled student of High Magic at the academy while Anwen is training with her grandmother to become a Meadow Witch. Cerys doesn’t mask her disdain for the other girl when she calls Anwen a ditch witch and subtle insults continue throughout the story. Being thrown into the giants’ kingdom forces them to work together no matter how strained their past might be. This isn’t to say the transition is smooth as the conflict adds tension and interest to the plot. Cerys eventually reveals secrets about her life that help Anwen understand the girl’s anger.
Solving the king’s murder is the main focus of the plot and readers will follow Anwen’s investigation and collection of clues. Her efforts are complicated since the giants are suspicious of the tiny “vermin” and don’t want them running around freely. Also, palace cats will gladly each them for breakfast! However, Anwen is a determined character and manages to find ways to maneuver around the giant palace. She investigates which giants have motives and opportunities to kill the king even if the characters seem beyond suspicion, like the princess. The Chamberlain immediately dislikes Anwen and Cerys and suggests the princess kill them right away but he also seems to hate everyone. Anwen’s grandmother is finding clues down in Old Stump but there’s no way to communicate with her granddaughter. Readers will have an advantage over the characters as they’ll be able to piece the evidence together. The author saves a twist near the end as Anwen senses she still doesn’t have the whole story.
The early part of the book will be familiar to young readers as it’s related to the tale of Jack and the Beanstalk. Having a giant fall into the middle of Old Stump leaves quite an impression, pun intended, and the plot follows its own creative path after that. The author does a great job of describing the challenges of being tiny in a giant setting since Anwen and Cerys can’t quickly or easily move about the castle or even a room. Moving between areas of the structure can be miles away to them so they’re forced to find other means of transportation.
What didn’t work as well:
The plot feels fairly predictable although the author still manages to find room for some surprises. This familiar, user-friendly format will help young readers become accustomed to solving perplexing mysteries as they transition into books with more complex text.
The final verdict:
The mystery, humor, and recognizable style make this book fun to read. The delicate balance in the relationship between Anwen and Cerys adds emotion to the plot and helps readers connect with the characters. Overall, this book will appeal to lovers of folklore and fairy tales and I recommend you give it a shot.
August 27, 2024
Anwen hasn’t ever seen a giant, so it’s more than a little surprising when a dead one falls out of the sky and into her village. Anwen and her grandmother are meadow witches, so it’s their job to find out what happened to the giant. They plant a magic beanstalk to send a message to the giants in the Sky Kingdom, but Anwen and her rival Cerys accidentally get stuck in the Sky Kingdom. Anwen is determined to solve the mystery of what happened to the murdered giant before it’s time to go home — or before there’s another murder.
I wish this book had been around when I was a kid. It’s everything I looked for in a book. An interesting mystery, a fairy tale setting that is somehow unique and not focused on royalty, and interesting characters? I would have gone rabid for it.
When I looked at the cover, I expected this book to read younger than it did. I was pleasantly surprised to find a surprisingly sophisticated fairy tale murder mystery. While it’s not Agatha Christie, it holds up well for the age of the audience and the setting of the story.
The main characters don’t get along, and I appreciate how their relationship evolves with having to work together while still not becoming the best friends. The more they learn about each other, the more they understand why the other is the way they are. I do wish there was more information on why they didn’t like each other in the first place, but their characterization and relationship changes are strong enough that the context is not crucial. Their relationship adds emotion and tension to the plot when it might otherwise feel a little slow.
The side characters aren't all as well developed, but they are interesting enough to
The murder mystery has a decent amount of suspects and questions, making it harder to guess than other similar mysteries in middle grade books. The plot is still relatively predictable, but there are enough surprises to keep readers guessing. The plot has slower sections, but not so slow that I lost interest while reading.
Overall, I thought this was a quick, young read that young mystery and fairy tale lovers are likely to enjoy.
I wish this book had been around when I was a kid. It’s everything I looked for in a book. An interesting mystery, a fairy tale setting that is somehow unique and not focused on royalty, and interesting characters? I would have gone rabid for it.
When I looked at the cover, I expected this book to read younger than it did. I was pleasantly surprised to find a surprisingly sophisticated fairy tale murder mystery. While it’s not Agatha Christie, it holds up well for the age of the audience and the setting of the story.
The main characters don’t get along, and I appreciate how their relationship evolves with having to work together while still not becoming the best friends. The more they learn about each other, the more they understand why the other is the way they are. I do wish there was more information on why they didn’t like each other in the first place, but their characterization and relationship changes are strong enough that the context is not crucial. Their relationship adds emotion and tension to the plot when it might otherwise feel a little slow.
The side characters aren't all as well developed, but they are interesting enough to
The murder mystery has a decent amount of suspects and questions, making it harder to guess than other similar mysteries in middle grade books. The plot is still relatively predictable, but there are enough surprises to keep readers guessing. The plot has slower sections, but not so slow that I lost interest while reading.
Overall, I thought this was a quick, young read that young mystery and fairy tale lovers are likely to enjoy.
July 10, 2024
P.G.Bell's latest book captured me with the intruging title 'The Beanstalk Murder'.@pgbellwriter
This sounded like a really fun read to me, and I was eager to see how the fairy tale premise would play out as a middle grade murder mystery. I wasn't disappointed!
Anwen is an apprentice Meadow Witch to her Grandmother Eira. They live in a village called Old Stump - a location where a mammoth beanstalk leading to the Sky Kingdom above had once grown before the infamous Beanstalk Wars with the giants had separated their two worlds.
When a giant falls from the sky, devastating their village, Anwen and Eria begin to investigate. Far from this being a tragic accident, the giant has, infact, been murdered.
With the help of other villagers, they set about contacting the Kingdom above by using their last remaining magical bean to grow a Beanstalk, but as it rapidly grows, Anwen and her friend Cerys get caught up in the tendrils and are propelled up into the Sky Kingdom.
Will the girls discover the identity of the murdered giant, will they be accepted in the Kingdom above, or will their arrival be mistaken for an act of war? Can they solve the murder and get back down to Old Stump and the lives they have left behind?
This is such a clever tale, and I really enjoyed it. Anwen and Cerys are great characters, and the animosity between them only adds to the challenges they face in their quest. I loved the back story of the Giant characters in the Sky Kingdom, and the descriptions of scale and abilities between them and the 'humans'.
I think this tale is perfect for readers aged 8 and above, and despite it being a 'murder mystery', there is nothing graphic that would scare this age group. I think they would enjoy trying to solve 'who dunnit' before Anwen does!
I hope P.G. Bell writes other mysteries in this genre, using fairy tales as a basis for the plot, as I would definitely look forward to reading them!
July 14, 2024
P. G. Bell's The Beanstalk Murder is an enchanting tale that combines magic, mystery, and a touch of rivalry. Anwen Sedge, a young Meadow Witch apprentice, finds herself embroiled in a murder investigation when a giant falls from the sky and crushes her village. The twist? The giant was already dead before his dramatic descent.
The story kicks off with an intriguing premise, and the plot thickens as Anwen, along with her arch-nemesis Cerys, gets transported to the giants’ kingdom. Here, they discover that the murdered giant was none other than the king himself. Stranded in the giants' realm and entangled in palace intrigues, Anwen must rely on her Meadow Witch skills to solve the mystery.
Bell's world-building is captivating, painting a vivid picture of a magical land where witches, giants, and magical beanstalks coexist. Anwen is a relatable protagonist, determined and resourceful, while Cerys provides a perfect foil with her superior attitude and High Magic prowess.
However, the story occasionally falters in its pacing. The initial excitement of the mystery is somewhat diluted by slower sections where the plot seems to meander. Additionally, the dynamic between Anwen and Cerys, though entertaining, can feel repetitive at times. Their rivalry, while central to the narrative, sometimes overshadows other potentially rich character interactions and developments.
The climax offers a satisfying resolution, with Anwen and Cerys learning to appreciate each other's strengths. Yet, some readers might find the revelation of the murderer somewhat predictable.
Overall, The Beanstalk Murder is an enjoyable read, particularly for younger audiences who relish fantasy and adventure. Bell's imaginative storytelling shines, even if the execution occasionally lacks the finesse to fully capitalize on the novel's intriguing setup.
The story kicks off with an intriguing premise, and the plot thickens as Anwen, along with her arch-nemesis Cerys, gets transported to the giants’ kingdom. Here, they discover that the murdered giant was none other than the king himself. Stranded in the giants' realm and entangled in palace intrigues, Anwen must rely on her Meadow Witch skills to solve the mystery.
Bell's world-building is captivating, painting a vivid picture of a magical land where witches, giants, and magical beanstalks coexist. Anwen is a relatable protagonist, determined and resourceful, while Cerys provides a perfect foil with her superior attitude and High Magic prowess.
However, the story occasionally falters in its pacing. The initial excitement of the mystery is somewhat diluted by slower sections where the plot seems to meander. Additionally, the dynamic between Anwen and Cerys, though entertaining, can feel repetitive at times. Their rivalry, while central to the narrative, sometimes overshadows other potentially rich character interactions and developments.
The climax offers a satisfying resolution, with Anwen and Cerys learning to appreciate each other's strengths. Yet, some readers might find the revelation of the murderer somewhat predictable.
Overall, The Beanstalk Murder is an enjoyable read, particularly for younger audiences who relish fantasy and adventure. Bell's imaginative storytelling shines, even if the execution occasionally lacks the finesse to fully capitalize on the novel's intriguing setup.
October 30, 2024
I don’t know what I was expecting but what I got was mega! This was such an enjoyable read.
The Beanstalk Murder brings new life …and a suspicious death… to the fairytale world of beanstalks and giants. It’s pacy, funny, full of classic detective tropes, charming and very well-written. I thoroughly enjoyed this middle grade mystery.
The story opens in the marketplace in Old Stump, with Anwen (a young apprentice Meadow Witch) trying to avoid Cerys- another young witch, with whom she has a fierce rivalry. Imagine plenty of sniping, bragging and a homing pigeon (of sorts). This gives us a great set up for the unlikely partnership that they are soon forced into!
Before long, the bustle of market day is ruptured by a giant-sized problem. Yep, a giant’s body has fallen from the sky creating a seismic reaction in every sense. Old Stump is destroyed. The injured are strewn everywhere. Will this be the start of new conflict between the worlds above and below? Who is this colossal cadaver? How on Earth will they dispose of the body?
Anwen’s Grandma, Eira, is a seasoned pro when it comes to dealing with the dead (one of a Meadow Witch’s most ‘vital’ services). When she and Anwen detect foul play, they begin a murder investigation. What they could never have predicted was that Anwen and her nemesis, Cerys would be propelled skyward to the land of the giants in a freak accident. What a bonus for their enquiry- if only the girls can get along.
Kids will love this as its a great twist on familiar territory. It’s also a really well structured whodunnit. I’m looking forward to putting it into the hands of some tinies 😉
The Beanstalk Murder brings new life …and a suspicious death… to the fairytale world of beanstalks and giants. It’s pacy, funny, full of classic detective tropes, charming and very well-written. I thoroughly enjoyed this middle grade mystery.
The story opens in the marketplace in Old Stump, with Anwen (a young apprentice Meadow Witch) trying to avoid Cerys- another young witch, with whom she has a fierce rivalry. Imagine plenty of sniping, bragging and a homing pigeon (of sorts). This gives us a great set up for the unlikely partnership that they are soon forced into!
Before long, the bustle of market day is ruptured by a giant-sized problem. Yep, a giant’s body has fallen from the sky creating a seismic reaction in every sense. Old Stump is destroyed. The injured are strewn everywhere. Will this be the start of new conflict between the worlds above and below? Who is this colossal cadaver? How on Earth will they dispose of the body?
Anwen’s Grandma, Eira, is a seasoned pro when it comes to dealing with the dead (one of a Meadow Witch’s most ‘vital’ services). When she and Anwen detect foul play, they begin a murder investigation. What they could never have predicted was that Anwen and her nemesis, Cerys would be propelled skyward to the land of the giants in a freak accident. What a bonus for their enquiry- if only the girls can get along.
Kids will love this as its a great twist on familiar territory. It’s also a really well structured whodunnit. I’m looking forward to putting it into the hands of some tinies 😉
August 6, 2024
With the cover illustration and the word "beanstalk" in the title, fantasy readers will pick this one up, but it's murder mystery lovers who will enjoy this most. Arwen and Cerys, two rival witches-in-training find themselves working together in spite of their rivalry when a giant falls from the sky and flattens their village. A mishap with a magic beanstalk finds both girls suddenly thrust into the kingdom of the giants where Arwen finds herself drawn into solving the mystery before the giants retrieve their dead king.
Fantasy is a hard sell in my classroom these days -- I can still get my 5th graders to read it if I'm lucky, but not many of my older students. With Arwen being 11 years old, 5th grade feels like the target audience for this book. However, the murder theme and the utter callousness of the guilty parties make this feel like it was intended for an older audience. Not knowing which of my students I would recommend this one to means I probably won't add it to my classroom library.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Fantasy is a hard sell in my classroom these days -- I can still get my 5th graders to read it if I'm lucky, but not many of my older students. With Arwen being 11 years old, 5th grade feels like the target audience for this book. However, the murder theme and the utter callousness of the guilty parties make this feel like it was intended for an older audience. Not knowing which of my students I would recommend this one to means I probably won't add it to my classroom library.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 8, 2024
This is a fantasy-mystery middle grade novel. Anwen lives in a village called Old Stump with her grandmother. They are Meadow Witches but Anwen dreams of going to the Magic Academy and learning High Magic. She is rejected but her arch-nemesis Cerys gets in. None of that matters when a giant body from the Sky Kingdom comes crashing down on the village. After helping the townspeople, Anwen and her grandmother Eria examine the giant's body only to discover he had been murdered. Since a war between the giants and humans there has been no communication between the two kingdoms. Eria decides to send a message to the Sky Kingdom to let them know what happened (and possibly stave off another war.) She plants a magic beanstalk to take a message to them, but Anwen and Cerys accidentally get caught on it as it shoots to the sky. When they reach the Sky Kingdom, Anwen discovers that the body belonged to the king. She is determined to help with the investigation.
I liked Anwen and the way she was able to find allies, eventually including even Cerys. It was an interesting mystery with an unusual background. Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for letting me read it.
I liked Anwen and the way she was able to find allies, eventually including even Cerys. It was an interesting mystery with an unusual background. Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author for letting me read it.
July 19, 2024
This is a fast paced, fun adventure set many, many years after the misadventures of Jack, his cow and the magic beans.
The two worlds were living their separate lives until a dead giant dropped through the thin layer of separation and landed on a village.
Dreading the hostilities happening again if the military became involved, the local people decide to send a message up to the Sky Kingdom giants explaining what has happened. However planting an ancient magic bean and hoping for the best was never going to go to plan, was it? Anwen and Cerys get stuck amongst the giants and have to use their cunning and magic to help solve the murder.
The author has brought some elements of fairy tale to this story and yet taken it further. The themes of family, friendship and problem solving all add to a fabulously adventurous story that also sends the message that we should not judge people on just the things that we see, as we may not get looking closely enough to realise what is actually happening.
Thanks to Usborne and @NetGalley for the eARC
The two worlds were living their separate lives until a dead giant dropped through the thin layer of separation and landed on a village.
Dreading the hostilities happening again if the military became involved, the local people decide to send a message up to the Sky Kingdom giants explaining what has happened. However planting an ancient magic bean and hoping for the best was never going to go to plan, was it? Anwen and Cerys get stuck amongst the giants and have to use their cunning and magic to help solve the murder.
The author has brought some elements of fairy tale to this story and yet taken it further. The themes of family, friendship and problem solving all add to a fabulously adventurous story that also sends the message that we should not judge people on just the things that we see, as we may not get looking closely enough to realise what is actually happening.
Thanks to Usborne and @NetGalley for the eARC
August 29, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a perfect balance of mystery and humour.
On a more personal note I loved the Welsh connection- as soon as I started reading the names I felt it and then there was the magic.
The plot is a wonderful one - with lots of scope for guessing who the guilty party was.
Anwen was a likeable character who was determined (sometimes to a fault) while Cerys grew on me the more I read.
As for the giants in the Sky Kingdom - while I will say that the Captain and Tonino were my favourites the Chamberlain came in at a close second.
As well as a murder mystery this book is very much about following your dreams or finding new ones as you grow.
I would definitely recommend the book for middle grade readers.
On a more personal note I loved the Welsh connection- as soon as I started reading the names I felt it and then there was the magic.
The plot is a wonderful one - with lots of scope for guessing who the guilty party was.
Anwen was a likeable character who was determined (sometimes to a fault) while Cerys grew on me the more I read.
As for the giants in the Sky Kingdom - while I will say that the Captain and Tonino were my favourites the Chamberlain came in at a close second.
As well as a murder mystery this book is very much about following your dreams or finding new ones as you grow.
I would definitely recommend the book for middle grade readers.
March 16, 2025
Meadow witch Anwen is having a terrible day, hiding from her nemesis, Cerys at the market she is shocked to find a dead giant has fallen from the sky.
When they try to grow a beanstalk and send a message to the giant world above, by a silly accident both and Cerys end up travelling together up the Beanstalk to the land of the giants.
Not just that either, directly to the palace.
Whereupon they discover the dead body is none other Princess Flavia's brother, Thinbault and that he has been murdered.
Anwen and Cerys swing into action to solve the murder, but being tiny people amongst giants danger lurks around every corner...
Such a fun and wild ride, absolutely loved this.
When they try to grow a beanstalk and send a message to the giant world above, by a silly accident both and Cerys end up travelling together up the Beanstalk to the land of the giants.
Not just that either, directly to the palace.
Whereupon they discover the dead body is none other Princess Flavia's brother, Thinbault and that he has been murdered.
Anwen and Cerys swing into action to solve the murder, but being tiny people amongst giants danger lurks around every corner...
Such a fun and wild ride, absolutely loved this.
July 3, 2025
Fast paced fun.
Cerys, and her not friend Anwen accidentally get caught up a beanstalk and stuck in the land of giants. There is only one way they can get back home again is to solve the mystery of a dead giant who fell out of the clouds which is the whole reason they went up the beanstalk in the first place.
This story is brilliant. It's a wonderful mix of fairy tale fantasy and adventure. Cerys and Anwen are brilliant characters. The way they snap at each other is so well written. Also the pace is wonderfully fast. I think that this would suit a child who enjoys fast paced stories.
I cannot wait to read more from this author.
Cerys, and her not friend Anwen accidentally get caught up a beanstalk and stuck in the land of giants. There is only one way they can get back home again is to solve the mystery of a dead giant who fell out of the clouds which is the whole reason they went up the beanstalk in the first place.
This story is brilliant. It's a wonderful mix of fairy tale fantasy and adventure. Cerys and Anwen are brilliant characters. The way they snap at each other is so well written. Also the pace is wonderfully fast. I think that this would suit a child who enjoys fast paced stories.
I cannot wait to read more from this author.
December 18, 2024
What's a Meadow Witch-in-training to do about a Giant that lands on her village, dead? Grab hold of a growing beanstalk to deliver a message to the Giants in the land above, to come down and collect one of their own. But what to do when she is stuck there with her anti-friend and the two have to solve the murder themselves? Who can they trust? And who is the pretender? A great mystery with twists in two worlds that keep you guessing. This whimsical story is one you don't want to miss!
October 12, 2025
It was a thriller at the end!i I really enjoyed it. Some parts were really good and interesting and other parts were very not interesting but overall it was a fun story and the main characters - Anwen Sedge and Cerys Powell, were my favorite. It’s about murder so there is a lot of mystery.I LOVED THE BOOK!!!😆😃😍❤️
July 1, 2024
My favourite murder mystery I’ve ever read but that’s probably because it involved magic and giants and beanstalks and talking to animals! Perfect for kids interested in a murder mystery book but still love a fairy tale - this is full of friendship and humour and animals and even touches on socioeconomic diversity. Well done , what fun!
August 12, 2024
The Beanstalk Murder was such a fantastic read! I couldn’t recommend enough! It has everything you want in a murder mystery book for middle grade. The book instantly grabs your attention in the first chapter and is never slow! The writing style was easy to follow and left me wanting to read more from this author.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reading copy. It was a great experience!
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced reading copy. It was a great experience!
November 17, 2024
Brilliant book! Really loved it. A twist on the tale of Jack and the Beanstalk with characters you can really root for and a murder mystery which will keep you guessing. Enemies who become friends, giant royalty, talking to animals (very funny!) with a dash of magic and of course a beanstalk!
February 9, 2025
Absolutely loved it. The interactions with the characters and animals was soo precious. And I couldn't quess the murder mystery. I expected it to be good. But it deliverd in the most suprising and cozy way. Can't wait for the next one.
June 28, 2024
The story presents an interesting spin on a well-known tale. I love the chemistry between the two main characters. I am sure children would love this one.
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February 7, 2025Personally couldn't stand Cerys so its a DNF for me.
February 17, 2025
I never expected to be quite as hooked as I was when I started reading this book. Definitely one I’ll be encouraging my children to read.
February 27, 2025
A great book - lots of twists and turns and some lovey messages around friendship and judgment! Great for fans of Ben Miller, I can’t wait for Bell’s next spin on a fairytale!
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