The Big Bad Wolf Murder

by P.G. Bell

THE BIG BAD WOLF IS DEAD...and what's worse, he was murdered.

Alarick is the biggest and baddest wolf of the Tooth & Claw games - a legendary contest where Wolves battle Reds in a vicious game of "What's the Time, Mr Wolf?" But when Alarick drops dead in the middle of the championship final, his rival Ruby Red is horrified...because she gets the blame.
Realizing she has been framed for the crime, Ruby and her wolf-cub friend Fillan go on the run, determined to find the real murderer. But with a dogged detective, a wolf assassin and a gangster granny on their tails, they're going to need all of Ruby's Tooth & Claw skills to save themselves and hunt down the truth.

A super-pacy fairy-tale crime romp, from the bestselling author of The Train to Impossible Places, for fans of Murder Most Unladylike and twisted fairy tales like Disney's Descendants.
"Perfect for any young readers who enjoy a spot of cosy crime." The Sunday Express on P.G. Bell's The Beanstalk Murder

Unknown Binding

Published September 11, 2025

About the author

P.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.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The game of Tooth and Claw is a competition that draws the attention of nearly everyone. At twelve years old, Ruby Calvino is the youngest person ever to reach the Tooth and Claw finals, and she is determined to win. Moments away from scoring the winning points, however, her foe—a wolf named Alarick—dies in front of her. Framed for a murder she did not commit, Ruby must search for relevant clues to clear her name before the authorities catch up with her. This action-forward middle grade novel blends Little Red Riding Hood with a dystopian landscape in which anthropomorphic wolves live alongside humans. Incorporating elements of racism and stereotyping, the narrative cleverly incorporates recognizable contemporary interactions within a markedly different world. Well-paced, the brief chapters flow one into the next and keep readers guessing as potential suspects make their appearances. And because action and adventure are at the heart of the plot, the narrative is expertly designed to be observed as a movie inside the reader’s mind. Relatable characters in both human and wolf form make the story even more accessible to young readers, and though middle graders are the target audience, mystery fans of all ages will find something to appreciate in this book. As the narrative takes the plot in various directions, the overall story is intriguing and invites readers to attempt to solve the mystery alongside the protagonists. This fast-paced and engaging mystery rewards mature readers with an adventure that is both robust and readable, and it is a dynamic addition to upper middle grade library collections.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this city, Netherburg, there's a unique sport – Tooth and Claw, where teams play what is almost 'capture the flag' against a werewolf kind of character. Our heroine Ruby is the youngest ever to feature in one of the four-player teams to reach the final, but is just about to make her last (and probably losing) play when the strongest wolf the sport has seen in years tightens up right in front of her and dies. Clearly then – according to the police at least – she killed him, and so is forced to go on the lam, with a cub wolf as companion, until she can chance on a way to prove it was someone else, if anyone, who poisoned him.

This is a lively adventure romp, with a fair few details and character names splashed about the place from the world of fairytale and classic story. I wouldn't have minded that being a greater part of this, but that's not really the reason for this existing. Beyond the gentle, genial Mitteleuropean feel we get a drama where anyone can engage with the lead, and back her in her plight. The whodunnit aspect of this is certainly strong enough, but when you factor in the sport's energy you've got something more lively than that. This proves to build from something feeling fairly gentle and 'cosy' to start with, into something with a lot of gusto and character-giving action. So that, however much you believe in the sport that blends parkour and tag with paper foliage and a stadium audience, you certainly get your money's worth from the drama. Commendable stuff.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Big Bad Wolf Murder by P.G. Bell is a witty and imaginative twist on classic folklore, blending humour, suspense and a touch of magic into a wonderfully entertaining story. The world-building is immersive and whimsical, with clever nods to familiar fairy tales that feel both fresh and fun.

Bell’s writing sparkles with sharp dialogue and colourful characters that leap off the page. The mystery keeps a lively pace, balancing intrigue with playful humour from start to finish.

[Rebecca Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book as part of a book club with some children aged 10/11 years old. We all enjoyed going on this journey with Ruby Red as she tries to clear her name. She has been accused of killing her opponent Alarick, the big bad wolf!

We all thought this was a great story, full of adventure, mystery and loved trying to guess who had done it!

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fast paced book story. It is so fast-paced that I gobbled it all up in one sitting. It features a smart spin on a traditional tale.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book despite it not being my age range. I’ve enjoyed all books by this author and would recommend this book to all people who enjoy reading children’s fiction.

[Tara Ferrington-Crammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shared with my 8 year old who had met the author at school. We both enjoyed the story, lots of action and intrigue. He rated it 4.5 stars

[Jo Bardgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Big Bad Wolf Murder
By P.G. Bell
Published by Usborne Publishing Ltd

From the author of the bestselling The Train to Impossible Places comes a new brilliantly written whodunnit murder adventure by P.G. Bell.

Ruby Red finds herself framed for the murder of the big bad wolf Alarick, in the Tooth & Claw games. Fleeing for her life and her freedom, this fairytale, murder mystery mix up is full of twists, turns and howls! As players and wolves and rivals take their turn to be accused before proven innocent.

Ruby needs to clear her name and save her skin from both the police and serious threatening wolves. So along with her wolf-cub friend, they go on the run. But this leads them into more crime and as the plot thickens so do the threats and the fear.

Will Ruby's Tooth & Claw skills save them as they hunt down the truth?
Will their scent give the game away?
Will anyone believe their story or is this the end of the game and their lives?

A fast fairy-tale crime suitable for fans of Murder Most Unladylike.
And a classic read aloud for Year 5 & 6.

Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature.
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