The Secret Bookstore Sleuth Society

by Lindsay Currie

In this exciting series starter, four best friends are trapped in a book-themed inn during an ice storm and they must use each of their special skills, as well as a few tips from an armchair-detective grandma, to figure out who killed one of the regular customer. From #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Mystery of Locked Rooms comes a thrilling murder mystery.

Merrick McGee has been having a tough time. When her Grandma Ida gets sick and moves in, the family can't afford to keep sending Merrick to her beloved private school. So, she spends most of her time in the small room at the back of the bookstore/inn her mother works at being homeschooled, bored out of her mind, and lonely for her best friends.

But when an ice storm hits their town, and fate brings her friends together to ride out the storm at the inn with her, she's stoked to finally be able to spend time with the people she loves the most. Until… the unthinkable happens, and someone is found dead―facedown in a birthday cake sitting right at Merrick's own desk.

With the storm picking up the police remove the body and suggest the victim died of old age. But to Merrick it seems more like a murder. Luckily, she and her friends love solving mysteries, and with the suspects all under the same roof, and her friends eager to crack the case―the Secret Bookstore Sleuth Society is born! As the club begins to investigate, more questions come to light, and Merrick soon realizes her own grandmother may be the key to solving the case...

Genres: Middle Grade, Mystery

288 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication September 15, 2026

About the author

Lindsay Currie is a #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of mysteries for young readers, including the Delta Games series and X Marks the Haunt, She grew up on Nancy Drew and loves a good twisty tale. When she's not writing, Lindsay can generally be found looking for an adventure of her own. She loves researching forgotten history and recently relocated from Chicago to a 220 acre farm in downstate Illinois where she finally gets to see stars every night, and take hikes every day.


Coming soon: The Secret Bookstore Sleuth Society (September 2026) and Midnight at the Vampire Inn (Winter 2027)!​​ For more details on Lindsay's upcoming books, please visit the My Books tab at the top of the page.

To find out more about Lindsay, please visit her website at www.lindsaycurrie.com. Instagram: @lindsayncurrie

Reviews

[Ellen Melson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to the publisher for an advance copy via NetGalley.

I grew up as a fan of the Nancy Drew reboot in the 80s, so I was quite interested to read a new mystery series geared toward pre-teens in 2026.

I thought the book was well written and a clever mystery. I LOVE that the club ends up including a Grandma and we see how the different generations end up getting along famously. I really liked the mystery itself and absolutely did not see the plot twist coming and was delighted when it showed up! No spoliers, but I can say I did not predict the outcome, and I loved that.

I understand that there is a second in the series already greenlit and I look forward to reading that one too!

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

The murder mystery case was carefully designed and meticulously presented. clues were built on bit by bit, layer by layer. It seems a little too slow but in the end they found that the murderer was caught on camera. No mention what sentence she got though. Halfway into the story, we learned that Grandma has a love history with Pipey (the victim). The story unfolds a little slower than I might like. For me, one book just one murder seems a little too long. One thing: The teen had to be homeschooled because family lack of funds due to a family member’s illness. I would say that is rather stereotypical. The story used roughly a third of a chapter to complain about homeschooling. With that said, the author did a good job telling the story. Appreciate the ARC copy. Thanks to the author and publisher!

[Susan Lefman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This multigenerational mystery begins when Pipey is found deceased in the storeroom of a combination bookstore and themed hotel. Iced-in by a storm, the Secret Sleuth Society and Grandma Ida are skeptical of the police's "natural causes" ruling, especially after noticing wet footprints in the room.


When the power goes out, the group spends the evening navigating the darkened hotel, searching room-to-room for clues to identify the potential assailant, whom they are sure is a hotel guest.


Packed with everything middle schoolers love, including romance, friendship, overbearing family members, and tiny ducks, this is a fun and engaging mystery that will keep kids following the clues to the end.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merrick McGee is stuck at the inn where her mother works since an ice storm has everyone staying put, an elderly man is found dead in a closet that Merrick uses to study. The police say he died of old age, but Merrick thinks he was murdered. With her friends that also staying put at the inn and her grandmother, they decide to investigate on their own and get clues to pass on to the police. What a fun read. I remember when I was a kid and with my friends became amateur sleuths and this story brought back memories.

This story is great for the middle school reader that loves mysteries, friendships and a good time.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great adventure from Lindsay Currie! If you're looking for a smart group of friends who love to solve mysteries, you're in luck. Follow along with Merrick and crew as they become the Secret Bookstore Sleuth Society. Can they solve the murder before there's another victim? I read this outloud with my 12 year old and she loved trying to make guesses along the way as to who did the crime. Loved the cute subtly early adolescent budding relationship aspect of it too; just enough to give those tweens a hint of romance.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Secret Bookstore Sleuth Society is about a girl named Merrick and her friends as they try to solve a murder mystery that occurred in a bookstore attached to an inn during an ice storm that has everyone trapped, including the culprit. An armchair sleuth grandma and a cast of suspects keep the kids busy. This is a perfect murder mystery for middle grades. It is squeaky clean and age appropriate.

I received a free advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.

[Desi Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love nothing better than seeing tweens work together and interact with older adults!! The kids are great, the mystery was fun. The spookiness of a storm and power outage, all good!

[Olya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and engaging start to a cozy mystery series. Four best friends are trapped during an ice storm when a guest is found dead, and they form their own detective club to solve the case. I enjoyed the cozy setting, the friendship dynamics, and the light, clever mystery that keeps things interesting throughout.

I received this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.