The Disappearance and the Diary

The Manor Mysteries #1

by Eileen Biltmore

A girl from a wealthy family must defend her lady’s maid from accusations of theft in this first book in the cozy historical fiction The Manor Mysteries series that follows two heirloom lockets through generations of the same family.

Peggy Eldritch can’t wait to turn twelve and receive the heirloom Margaret locket! The necklace originally belonged to her great-grandmother Margaret Linden. Every girl named Margaret in the family has been gifted it on her twelfth birthday—and Peggy’s turn has finally arrived.

When Juliette, Peggy’s cousin from France, visits Linden Manor for the birthday ball and another family heirloom goes mysteriously missing, Peggy finds herself on a quest to clear the name of her lady’s maid and friend, who gets accused of the theft. Her search for answers leads her to a hidden diary with clues to a much larger family mystery that dates back generations. Can Peggy find the lost heirloom? And what will she discover about her Margaret necklace along the way?

Genres: Middle Grade, Mystery, Chapter Books

159 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 5, 2026

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cute idea for a mystery, but this skews very, very young, and at no point was it not completely obvious where this was going.

Unfortunately there’s just no mystery to the Mystery, and I’m always bothered by kids books that underestimate kids. Middle readers (even those on the very young end of the demographic), are capable of digesting a lot more sophistication plot-wise, and even early reader chapter books aren’t usually this clumsy about the clues and the solve.

And it’s a shame, because had this been written in such a way that gives its target audience fair credit, it could have been a very cute kids mystery. The premise is fine, and it seems like there’s a decent setup for the series to continue.

I liked Peggy, and the sense of place and descriptive content aren’t bad at all. But a Mystery needs mystery, and this has none.

[Nicole Dykeman · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a book that's supposed to be a middle grade cozy mystery, it's not very mysterious.

[Alison (readinginazaleawoods) · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.25 stars)

One of my favorite things about reading aloud is discovering the books that capture all three of my girls’ attention. The Disappearance and the Diary was one of those books.

I requested this one after Emily (@capturingluminous) recommended it, thinking my oldest daughter would enjoy it. What I didn’t expect was for my 9-year-old and 6-year-old to become just as invested. Every opportunity we had to read, they were asking for “one more chapter.”

This wholesome historical mystery features memorable characters, a compelling mystery, and plenty of opportunities to discuss honesty, integrity, loyalty, friendship, grace, mercy, and forgiveness.

Set in England in the years leading up to World War I, the story follows Peggy as she seeks to clear the name of her lady’s maid after a family heirloom goes missing. Along the way, she uncovers clues connected to a larger family mystery that spans generations.

This was a quick, delightful read-aloud, and one that my girls thoroughly enjoyed.

Will we continue the series? Absolutely.

Recommended for ages 9–12, though my 6-year-old listened along with her older sisters and thoroughly enjoyed it as well.

Content considerations: A brief reference is made to a deceased loved one’s spirit being present, there is mention of a St. Anthony medal, and one character says, “shut up.”

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the e-copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Victoria Sampley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and short mystery. It’s pretty obvious what has happened, but I love the characters and it was very wholesome. Just a feel good time.

[Luminous Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Disappearance and the Diary

🕰️ This story follows Peggy Eldritch, a young heiress navigating her twelfth birthday, lots of mystery, and more! When an heirloom locket, long cherished by the women in her family, is stolen, Peggy’s lady’s maid, Sarah, is unjustly accused of the theft. Determined to clear Sarah’s name, Peggy sets out to find the true culprit behind the disappearance.

📔 But that’s not all she discovers! In her pursuit of justice, Peggy stumbles upon a secret diary brimming with secrets.

🔎 This cozy historical mystery is a delightful blend of intrigue and history, reminiscent of a Samantha mystery adventure! I really enjoyed the lovely details of the manor and the nuanced life of a privileged young lady just before the onset of WWI. I also enjoyed the intertwining stories of the heirloom lockets, traveling through generations and across grand manor houses in this series and I’m looking forward to reading the next book!

Thank you NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Lyon.Brit.andthebookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Report: The Disappearance and the Diary by Eileen Biltmore

When Peggy is about to receive a treasured family heirloom on her twelfth birthday…another priceless keepsake suddenly disappears. Determined to clear her lady's maid's name Peggy begins investigating…uncovering a hidden diary…long buried family secrets and a mystery that stretches back generations🕯️✨

This was such a charming historical middle grade! I absolutely adore seeing cozy mysteries written for younger readers and I know I would have devoured this series when I was a kid. Between the grand manor setting…hidden clues…family secrets and lovable characters…it had all the ingredients for a delightful read🏰🔍

The best part? I enjoyed it so much that I didn't hesitate to pick up book two right away! Here's hoping we continue to see more historical cozy mysteries written for middle grade readers💛

Thank you Simon Spotlight

Releases 8/25

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[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

This is a repackaging of Whitby's Beth's Story (Secrets of the Manor #1)(June 24th 2014 by Simon Spotlight), much like the Lee Heart repackaging of the Angela Darling Crush books as Spotlight Sprinkles. I wasn't able to compare the two, but they are essentially the same story. Names are changed (Margaret instead of Beth), as are some details, but since I already have the entire 2014 series, I won't be purchasing the new books.

The new covers are quite nice, and if you are looking for a series of upper crust English manor mysteries, this is a good bet. The sequel to this one seems to be The Girl and the Ghost. (Aug. 25, 2026)
https://msyinglingreads.blogspot.com/...

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

If this book had been around when I was a kid,, I would read and re-read it! (Squeeeee! That’s my ten-year-old inner me being excited for more books in this series!)
This is a great book for middle-grade readers! Set in an English manor in 1914, the plot involves a young girl’s twelfth birthday festivities, a mystery concerning family heirlooms, and allusions to the “troubles rumbling on the Continent”, which of course is foreshadowing of WW1. The writing style and book’s presentation reminded me of the older American Girl historical fiction novels, which I’ve long enjoyed.

*I received a digital copy of this book and the next one in the series in exchange for honest reviews. All opinions are strictly my own; I’m jumping right into the next one!*

[Ashlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this middle grade mystery book! This had the historical fiction aspect that I love and I also enjoyed that this was from a 12-year-old's perspective who started learning more about how the staff lived and were treated. I liked the writing style as well as how this had multiple mysteries in one. I believe this series will have an overall mystery that is being hinted at in this first book, and it had the mystery of the disappearing necklace as well as clearing someone's name. It was definitely geared more towards a feminine audience, so my seven-year-old son lost interest in it; however, I got really into the book and finished it myself. I look forward to reading the rest of this series.

I received a free book from the publisher which does not affect my review.

[Cayla · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

The Disappearance and the Diary is a pleasant, cozy start to a new middle-grade mystery series. The 1914 English manor setting is nicely drawn, and Peggy’s loyalty to her lady’s maid gives the story some heart. I liked the hidden diary and the hints of family secrets going back generations.

The mystery itself didn’t grab me much, though. The plot is fairly simple and I found it predictable, so the ending didn’t land as strongly as I’d hoped. Younger readers who are new to mysteries may enjoy it more than I did. I’d call it a nice, light read for that age group.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC!

[Shaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Eileen Biltmore for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Disappearance and the Diary coming out August 25, 2026. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I enjoy checking out middle school mysteries to see what’s out nowadays. It was a short read, but I really enjoyed the story. I loved that it was a historical setting. Peggy lives a privileged life, but she learns to do what’s right. I would check out other books by this author.

[Corrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an ok little story that is a good intro to cozy mysteries for the young middle grade reader. I personally don't care for the main protagonist or the haughty way she & the other characters were presented. This is also a repackaged story. (Beth's Story, 1914 by Adele Whitby)

I received a free E-ARC from Netgalley & Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Simon Spotlight for my hunter review.

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an elevated historical mystery series that almost feels quite adult. A Downton Abbey meets Agatha Christie with awesome characters and setting. This child is not going to let her maid get framed, she will do a very lady unlike thing and unexpected : investigate. Will collect these.

[Mimayk Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 ⭐ - I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I didn’t quite like the main character until the middle. She didn’t feel real. The plot though was really good. I’m excited for the next book!

[Shaina Perkkio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tucking this one away for a possible read aloud or to add to our physical library for my daughter to read. Wholesome, cozy, easy to follow historical mystery and in a series! I can see this series becoming popular with the girls whose moms love Emma M Lion.

[hailey roose · Rating 5 out of 5]

just the perfect middle-grade series. i would’ve loved reading these as a kid.