Nancy Parker's Diary of Detection

Nancy Parker #1

by Julia Lee

When Nancy Parker gets her first position as a housemaid to Mrs Bryce, it's not exactly her dream job - she'd rather be out solving mysteries. But she soon discovers there are plenty of suspicious occurrences going on beneath her very nose . . . Time for Nancy to set to work not just with her mop but also with her Theory of Detection!

Genres: Mystery, Middle Grade, Childrens, Young Adult, Historical Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting and clever novel, which intersperses Nancy’s journal entries, and postcards home, throughout the text. It is 1920 and Nancy Parker is fourteen. Having left school, Nancy would like to become an actress, work in a shop or, best of all, become a detective. What the future actually holds though is a position as a ‘General Maid,’ to Mrs Bryce. However, Nancy is certainly a girl who tries to make the best of things and she throws herself into her new job with gusto.

Mrs Bryce takes a house at the seaside and Nancy is to accompany her. Once there, Nancy finds herself on the trail of a thief and teams up with Ella, the daughter of a professor who lives next door and Quentin Ives from the vicarage.

I really enjoyed this book. I read it with my daughter, who is nine, and I would probably recommend it for 10+. The character of Nancy is a delight and I liked her journal entries and the letters to her beloved Aunty Bee. This is a good, old fashioned adventure, with lots of humour, but there is also a lot of interesting historical background. My daughter was fascinated to read about Nancy being expected to find a job so young, and how hard she had to work at that age, for example. I really hope there are more books featuring Nancy Parker; a great new historical mystery series for children and young adults.

[Șoricel de Bibliotecă · Rating 5 out of 5]

Încep cartea în forță!!!😁📑📖

[Abigail · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not at all what i was expecting going into the book. The blurb and the front cover made it look really interesting, but really it was like clickbait on a youtube video. It said there would be murder, there wasn't. It said Nancy was a heroine to root for, but she didn't do much investigating she only had suspicions. Even though she had some evidence in the end, Nancy, Ella and Quentin didn't get any credit. It was as if it were all pointless!

[Robin Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, sharp and gently anarchic, this is great fun and extremely mysterious - I ate it up! Perfect for Murder Most Unladylike fans.

[Johanna ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fourteen year-old Nancy Parker has just taken her first job as a housemaid to the elegant and elusive Mrs. Bryce. Nancy would much rather be out solving mysteries but for now she'll have to settle for what she's got. However as it soon turns out, that there are plenty of suspicious happenings taking place right under her nose!

Well, this was... not what I was expecting. For one thing, don't be fooled by the cover, there is no murder to be found in this book. In fact, most of the 'mystery' stemmed from Nancy's speculations, almost all of which proved to be utter nonsense. We don't get anything with substance until the last quarter of the book and, though the reveal was interesting, the ending felt rushed.

One thing that really annoyed me was how capital letters were utilized in Nancy's diary. Some of the words that had been capitalized made sense as they were used to make a point, but there were so many other instances of capitalization where there was no business for it and it really interrupted the flow of the story.

I know I'm not the target age for this series and after reading this book I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who's over twelve but I can see how this might be enjoyed by a younger person. Overall, not one I'd recommend though and I don't plan on continuing with the series. Happy Reading :)

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw this + read the blurb I was really curious about the book. I do love some mystery books, especially when it is middlegrade/YA.

Sadly, though the blurb made it seem like this book would be all about Nancy, Nancy and her life and her figuring out the mysteries in the house she is the maid in. However, we have 2 other characters. Ella and Quentin. I didn't look forward to those parts at all. I warmed up to Ella a bit, and I started to like her a bit more, but it was still a big shame that apparently this book isn't all about Nancy. *sighs*Blurbs. :| So I have to say -0.5 stars for that.

The other thing I didn't like was Quentin. He was the most useless, worthless, annoying piece of character in the whole book and frankly the book would have been so much better if he wasn't in it. His parts I just tended to skim/look over after a while. He didn't add anything, he was just there, did some stuff, but that was it. BORING. No wonder his dad shipped him off for summer vacation. :| Seriously, he does nothing, adds nothing for most of the book, but the ending. Wow..... Another -0.5 stars.

However, there was enough good to the book. I loved the diary parts, even though, thanks to Nancy's horrendous spelling at times (though I also found it magical that she could write some difficult words without trouble, but other, easier words, were mangled) I had some time to figure out what she meant. Only by speaking out the words did I find out what kind of word she mangled and what she meant.
But, I think that also gave the book character. It made the diary seem more real, and made the character of Nancy, who just went to school until the age of 14, and apparently didn't really have much of lessons there, even more lovable and kind. And it also showed that even though she didn't like school (then again I would also be bored to death if you only got a few lessons and after that it is repeating those/nothing new), she still loves learning.
Nancy's observations were really fun to read, and I laughed quite a bit at a lot of stuff. She sure has a vivid imagination. Seeing conspiracies everywhere and any time. :D
I also have to say that I love a character who just tries to read, even if it is 5 minutes, and even if she should actually be doing work. I know the feeling of that. Knowing you have stuff to do, but the book you are reading is sooooo exciting!

Her theories and observations were great, and some really had a ring of truth in them.

The mystery of Mrs. Bryce, and of course Cook, but also of GG and how they were all connected, was really fun and I had a blast trying to see if I could figure anything out. I won't spoil anything of course.

The ending was exciting and I just flew through the pages, eager to find out what would happen to Nancy and Ella.

All in all, this was a fantastic book and I really really enjoyed it a lot. I do hope we will see more of Nancy Parker, and I guess Ella too. She was in the end a great character that I liked as much as I liked Nancy.

I also loved that the book switched between diary to normal POV and then added letters and postcards to it. So much fun!

All in all, I would recommend this book to everyone.

Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Hermioneginny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nancy ha appena compiuto 14 anni, così può lasciare la scuola, che comunque non è valida e non le consente di imparare nuove informazioni. Comincia così a scrivere un diario sul bel quaderno che le ha regalato la maestra. Ed entra a servizio di Mrs Bryce, che ben presto si trasferisce al mare da Londra. Al mare! Lavorare sembra quasi una vacanza, e Nancy può persino esercitarsi col lavoro dei suoi sogni: fare la detective. Conosce così altri due ragazzini strambi...

Carino! Il mistero è facilmente risolvibile, ma il libro è ben raccontato e strutturato, riusciamo a immedesimarci in Nancy, Ella e Quentin, a sentire la loro stranezza e a capire perché stanno bene insieme. Chissà se Nancy potrà tornare a scuola?!?

[Pia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this on the advice of my Book Club leader as a possibility for my granddaughter. Really enjoyed the book and so far so has my granddaughter. Well written for me, although my granddaughter had got a little muddled with Nancy's diary in her handwriting and then the story in typescript but once this was explained and that the period is just after WW1 all was good. Very good plot and interesting to see the different life styles with maids, servants etc to what we have now. My granddaughter thoroughly enjoyed this book
Recommended for children 10 years and Granny's all ages.

[Sara Eames · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good YA read. The characters are well-written and the plot - although somewhat predictable - moves at a steady pace. I do enjoy YA novels - and, when reviewing them, try to remember that they are aimed at a somewhat younger audience. This usually does not detract from my enjoyment of the novel.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was read as a book club read to see what authors are writing as detective/crime books for children and compare them with what is available for adults.
What a lovely read funny with old fashioned comments and sayings.
A delight to read and cannot wait to read the next one in the series.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Fairly standard MG mystery. Liked the characters of Nancy and Ella, didn't really see the need for Quentin - maybe he'll have more to do in other books in the series?

[Anna_books · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Alice Hannah Bates · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cool but at one point Ella insults nine year olds and I hated her because I was 9 when I first read it 😂😂😂😂😂

[Lexi.Miky24 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this novel a lot. First the way Julia Lee writes. It is so easy to understand ( this book being for kids). It is a creative novel with lots of mistery and go, read it cus it is pretty good.

[Helene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it

[Diana Eberhardt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting YA mystery

[Rebeca_readss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dacă aveam 8 ani, era mai ok :))

[Eli Crookston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it. It could have had a bit more action though.

[Emma]

Läste svenska översättningen

[Katherine Sunderland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, I saw the cover of this posted on Twitter and immediately had to order a copy! Again, a murder mystery set in the 1920s with a bright and vivacious female protagonist.

Fourteen year old Nancy Parker starts a new job as a housemaid to Mrs Bryce. This is her journal; her "Journal of Detection" in which she will write down "all my SUSPISHINS". Despite becoming a housemaid, Nancy really wants to be a detective and can't think of any reason why she wouldn't be "except perhaps I am too young. And I don't like blood." But as another character points out, she is in fact perfectly placed to see all that goes on - "I am a Detective in an apron and cap. This is FOOD FOR THOUGHT."

The novel is made up of Nancy's "handwritten" journal entries -complete with misspellings- illustrations, post cards, letters and more conventional narrative chapters which focus on Ella and Quentin's perspectives. Ella and Quentin are also young people hankering after careers in detection and huge Sherlock Holmes fans. Ella keeps an "Anthropology Notebook" as people "are strange even when you have been studying them for ages." Ella's observations are perhaps more thoughtful and considered than Nancy's hilarious suspicions which provide much mirth. I enjoyed reading Nancy's reasons for singling Cook out as the main perpetrator: "She does not look like a cook in my opinion. She should be plump...Mrs Jones is stringy as a worn out horse." "My experience," she adds, "is that Cook is not a pleasant woman (not spekulation)."

Nancy also adds her own key points in the "Theory of Detection". For example, "Detectives should not have to wait on everyone while they are detecting and then clean up after they have gone." She is a fun, comic and likeable character.

This is fast and appealing read. As a more heavily illustrated book and seems more similar to the current genre of massive hits like "Wimpy Kid" -it will definitely be popular. The variety of extracts, different fonts and presentation are creative and make it a hugely appealing text. It will appeal to a slightly younger audience of 9-12 year olds.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's 1920, and Nancy Parker has just turned 14 and left school in London. As we meet her, she is wondering what to do in life, and dreaming of being a detective! She eventually finds her first job as a housemaid for a Mrs Bryce, but rather than put paid to her detecting, she finds that there is plenty of mystery around in Mrs Bryce's household and life.

I really enjoyed this book, I liked the three children very much, Nancy herself, Ella Otter, and Quentin Ives, as the lead characters, and I grew fond of them, I liked the parts where they featured individually and we got to know them, and I liked how they eventually encountered each other too, seeing the different personalities emerge. It was very enjoyable reading how the story played out - I enjoyed the mystery as it unfolded, discovering more of the secrets and goings-on. It makes you think how young people started working in the past and how brave they would have had to be to step out into the world, in Nancy's case leaving her relatives behind, and work so hard with little time off.

It's not an extremly complex plot, but I felt there was enough going on, and enough different characters, to make a very enjoyable read, and I liked that there was some period detail too, some reference to the war, and to aspects of new things that were coming along at that time in history.

The book is also beautifully designed, with a lovely layout to the pages inside, I loved how Nancy's diary entries looked handwritten, how there were things like postcards and letters included too, and the chapter heading font and page decoration, very nice indeed, and this was just the proof so I expect the finished copy will be even nicer.

When I finished reading, I was sad that it had ended, and I wonder if it will become a series, I would definitely continue with it if so.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another diary format, and more mysteries in this historical book from Julia Lee. It is the 1920s and Nancy Parker has been employed as a housemaid for her first job. She has a penchant for reading six-penny thrillers, and wants to be a detective, so she seeks our mystery where she can. And luckily for her, there does seem to be some strange activity from her new employer - she has lavish parties, a murky past and a cook with a secret. Add to that a spate of local burglaries, and Nancy’s detective skills are put to use.

There’s a lovely rounded cast here, from the boy next door - Quentin Ives who wishes he was a dashing undercover spy called John Horsefield, but is really rather a nincompoop, and Ella, the brave and daring daughter of a local archaeologist. The three children are thrown together in solving the mystery, and although reluctant at first, realise that they are stronger together.

This book is full of wry comic fun, and great characters. Each child is so well painted, so thoroughly flawed and yet likeable that the reader will never tire of reading of their adventures (albeit there is no massive mystery to solve in the end). Partly written as Nancy’s diary in stunning handwritingish typeface, and partly in third person prose from the different children’s points of view, this was a really enjoyable read with great historical detail. Highly recommend.

For more reviews check out www.MinervaReads.com

[Verity W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh I do love a good children's adventure/detective yarn. And there's a few good ones about at the moment - with charming retro settings and characters who are a bit more diverse than the old Enid Blyton faithfuls.

The titular Nancy has just left school at 14 and is starting her first job - as a maid to a rather glamorous lady. On a trip to the seaside she starts to suspect that all is not as it seems... Told through Nancy's diaries and in the third person of two other children in the seaside town her mistress is visiting.

I really enjoyed this - Nancy is an engaging character and contrasts nicely with the two other younger but more privileged children, reminding kids of how unfair that sort of thing was but without hammering it home. Nancy is the sort of girl who'd only be seen providing picnics in an Enid Blyton book (where children might not realise how young the maids might be) while Ella and Quentin are more similar to other child characters in books from the Blyton era. This is set in 1920 and has neatly done mentions of the lack of men due to the First World War and women losing their jobs because of returning men. The mystery is also pitched just right - it's not gruesome and it's definintely something that children might not understand and be intrigued by.

I'm hoping that we may meet Nancy and her friend again at some point.

[Claire Rousseau · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's mystery and mayhem aplenty in this fun middle-grade novel. Our protagonist is Nancy Parker, a maidservant with an overactive imagination and dreams of becoming a detective. When she goes to Seabourne with her new employer, she finds rumours of theft, two other teenage would-be=detectives and heaps of suspicious behaviour.

This was great fun to read and I really enjoyed the three main characters, as well as the writing and formatting style of the passages from Nancy's Diary. The 1920s setting is great and the subtle explorations of class issues within the narrative gave it some extra depth. The word murder in the tagline is slightly misleading (there is no corpse at all), but the story does include very nefarious deeds being planned and put in motion!

As an adult reader, I found the plot frustrating at times: One mystery is resolved quickly, the other does not emerge until later, but I found the solutions to both fairly predictable. It makes complete sense within the story why the characters don't jump to the same conclusions as I would though, and I would definitely recommend this book for young readers. My only complaints come from my being outside the target demographic.

I'm planning to gift this book to a friend who has two young daughters who I am sure will love this.

[Angela Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

enjoyed this book very much

[Margaret Pemberton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A suberb addition to the detective genre for young people. Set in the early 20th century this has the distinct feel of Agatha Christie and her hero Hercule Poirot.

[Iga · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐