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The Titanic Detective Agency
Unlock the secrets of the unsinkable ship...
Bertha Watt, tree-climber and would-be polar explorer, is excited to be on RMS Titanic's maiden voyage, as she leaves Aberdeen behind for the glamour of a new life in America.
But Bertha quickly realises that some passengers are behaving strangely, and she determines to unravel their secrets. With new friend, Madge, Bertha sets up her own detective agency to try and solve the mysteries onboard, but they have no idea that disaster is looming for Titanic.
Can they help Johan find the hidden treasure and unmask the identity of the enigmatic Mr Hoffman before time runs out on the 'unsinkable' ship?
Bertha Watt, tree-climber and would-be polar explorer, is excited to be on RMS Titanic's maiden voyage, as she leaves Aberdeen behind for the glamour of a new life in America.
But Bertha quickly realises that some passengers are behaving strangely, and she determines to unravel their secrets. With new friend, Madge, Bertha sets up her own detective agency to try and solve the mysteries onboard, but they have no idea that disaster is looming for Titanic.
Can they help Johan find the hidden treasure and unmask the identity of the enigmatic Mr Hoffman before time runs out on the 'unsinkable' ship?
200 pages, Paperback
Published April 15, 2019
31 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 1, 2021
I loved reading about Roberta Josephine watt
And Johan svenson
I loved the part at the end were she writes to mage
And Johan svenson
I loved the part at the end were she writes to mage
February 15, 2022
Based on real-life Titanic survivors, this is an imagining of the adventures of three young passengers, prior to the fateful night of the sinking. This is perfect for readers aged about 9 - 12 years who are learning about or who are interested in the Titanic. Chapters recounting the sinking are based on the historic research and don’t hold back, so I would suggest adults read this first before reading to, or giving to a child, to be sure these scenes are suitable for the intended reader(s). My 10 year old son brought this home to read after reading extracts during a school project on Titanic; he was especially drawn to it because of it being based on real life characters.
Some background knowledge would be useful, but not completely essential. The afterword recounts details of the real-life characters and what happened to them after the sinking and does include a couple of characters who did not survive the tragedy.
Some background knowledge would be useful, but not completely essential. The afterword recounts details of the real-life characters and what happened to them after the sinking and does include a couple of characters who did not survive the tragedy.
April 28, 2019
In ‘The Titanic Detective Agency’, Lindsay Littleson breathes life into real-life historical characters with an enthralling story of three young people who survive the maiden voyage of the doomed passenger liner, Titanic.
Bertha is a feisty girl with a vivid imagination, whose insatiable curiosity focuses on both passengers and crew. Together with fellow traveller Madge, she becomes interested in the mysterious of Mr. Hoffman, who is travelling alone with his two small children. But very soon, her investigations are interrupted by the appearance of Johan, a Swedish teenager on his way to join his father in South Dakota. Despite the fact that Johan speaks no English and is a third-class passenger, strictly segregated from the rest of those on board, he and Bertha work together to decipher what seems to be a map leading to a treasure hidden somewhere on the ship.
The author touches on many aspects of society at the time, especially the contrast between the lives of rich and poor, but she never loses sight of the story itself, deftly weaving fact and fiction together to bring the characters of Bertha and Johan vividly to life as they move towards the climactic moment when the ship comes to grief and they witness the panic and confusion of the evacuation, the desperate fight for survival and the heroism of those who chose to die so that others might live.
Bertha is a feisty girl with a vivid imagination, whose insatiable curiosity focuses on both passengers and crew. Together with fellow traveller Madge, she becomes interested in the mysterious of Mr. Hoffman, who is travelling alone with his two small children. But very soon, her investigations are interrupted by the appearance of Johan, a Swedish teenager on his way to join his father in South Dakota. Despite the fact that Johan speaks no English and is a third-class passenger, strictly segregated from the rest of those on board, he and Bertha work together to decipher what seems to be a map leading to a treasure hidden somewhere on the ship.
The author touches on many aspects of society at the time, especially the contrast between the lives of rich and poor, but she never loses sight of the story itself, deftly weaving fact and fiction together to bring the characters of Bertha and Johan vividly to life as they move towards the climactic moment when the ship comes to grief and they witness the panic and confusion of the evacuation, the desperate fight for survival and the heroism of those who chose to die so that others might live.
June 4, 2019
This is my favourite Lindsay Littleson book so far.
Even as a child, I had a mild fascination with the Titanic, reading and re-reading contemporary accounts, so it was a welcome surprise that the characters we most care about on the ship are based on real people, with photographs to inspect at the end of the book.
Bertha feels like the kind of kid you want to be friends with: opinionated, interested, charismatic and full of fun. She does, however, feel 'real' too, with her impatience with adult talk and church services lasting too long. The greatest strength of this novel is that Bertha's childlike concerns are front and centre throughout. The horror of the sinking is not brushed over in any way, but the lingering memory of this read is of riddles and mysteries, chases and secrets - in short, of Berth's concerns.
For any fellow teacher who may be concerned, this is a very sensitively handled account, with Bertha facing up to the horror of the sinking, but experiencing it from a distance in her lifeboat.
The period detail is meticulously researched, the characters utterly compelling and not a word is wasted.
This is the kind of children's novel that would have got me into reading if I was a kid all over again. :)
Even as a child, I had a mild fascination with the Titanic, reading and re-reading contemporary accounts, so it was a welcome surprise that the characters we most care about on the ship are based on real people, with photographs to inspect at the end of the book.
Bertha feels like the kind of kid you want to be friends with: opinionated, interested, charismatic and full of fun. She does, however, feel 'real' too, with her impatience with adult talk and church services lasting too long. The greatest strength of this novel is that Bertha's childlike concerns are front and centre throughout. The horror of the sinking is not brushed over in any way, but the lingering memory of this read is of riddles and mysteries, chases and secrets - in short, of Berth's concerns.
For any fellow teacher who may be concerned, this is a very sensitively handled account, with Bertha facing up to the horror of the sinking, but experiencing it from a distance in her lifeboat.
The period detail is meticulously researched, the characters utterly compelling and not a word is wasted.
This is the kind of children's novel that would have got me into reading if I was a kid all over again. :)
November 27, 2020
I read this book with my P5 class and they all LOVED it! They would all simultaneously groan when I closed the book over at the end of a chapter as they were all so desperate to find out what happened next
February 15, 2022
I thought this was a good mystery story for middle grade readers that also brings to life some of the real stories of those children on board the Titanic when it sank. The characters are all real and the story does a decent job of highlighting the various reasons for their journey, alongside their attempts to solve a couple of mysteries. I liked the fact that one of these was certainly a real story of abduction, as well as the details of what happened to the real children after the sinking, how their lives developed. It gives the young reader that extra human connection alongside the events of the disaster itself.
Read
February 15, 2022Good for lessons like history or English
June 29, 2020
Ossessionata come sono, leggo praticamente qualsiasi cosa menzioni il Titanic: questo titolo, disponibile con Kindle Unlimited, mi ha colpito moltissimo.
Segue due bambini, lei in seconda classe e lui in terza, che in qualche modo fanno amicizia e risolvono un mistero durante il viaggio del Titanic, fino alla sua nota fine.
Si parla delle condizioni della terza classe, dell'equipaggio che vi lavorava, e se devo proprio trovargli un difetto, ho notato un paio di errori storici verso la fine, compreso uno che parla di una delle altre navi della White Star line.
Per il resto è bellissimo.
Segue due bambini, lei in seconda classe e lui in terza, che in qualche modo fanno amicizia e risolvono un mistero durante il viaggio del Titanic, fino alla sua nota fine.
Si parla delle condizioni della terza classe, dell'equipaggio che vi lavorava, e se devo proprio trovargli un difetto, ho notato un paio di errori storici verso la fine, compreso uno che parla di una delle altre navi della White Star line.
Per il resto è bellissimo.
May 1, 2019
One of the best books I've read in a long time. The characters and plot are so good I found myself totally forgetting the Big Thing that was coming and ended up just as shocked as the people on board when it did! Suspenseful all the way through and got me quite emotional by the end. Brilliant.
April 15, 2019
We all know how the story ends. But we don't know the whole story...
Bertha is travelling with her mother to join her father for an exciting new life in America - with any luck, an exciting new life free of the rules and restrictions of her old "respectable" life in Aberdeen. To pass the time, she teams up with a fellow 2nd Class passenger, Madge, and forms the Collyer-Watt Detective Agency. No sooner has she acquired a magnifying glass and a casebook than not one, but two cases drop in her lap: the mystery of Mr Hoffman and his strange protectiveness over his children, and even more exciting, a real-life treasure map...
The treasure map is in the hands of 3rd Class passenger Johan, a young Swedish boy who's desperate to get to America and bring the rest of his family across. He doesn't speak any English, and Bertha doesn't speak any Swedish, but somehow they manage to communicate.
Overshadowing these adventures, of course, is the iceberg in the Titanic's path. There's plenty of foreshadowing, with the word "unsinkable" being bandied about with aplomb, discussions of how much more dangerous a trans-Atlantic dirigible flight would be, and the occasional glance at the number of lifeboats.
When the iceberg hits, the fun and games of the investigations stop, but the drama, tension, and heartbreak ramp up. But the investigations aren't completely left behind, and this most familiar of stories has an unexpected conclusion to the case.
Like the author's previous historical novel for Cranachan, A Pattern of Secrets, the class divisions of society are clearly drawn; the Titanic itself is a stratified society in microcosm.
Full of memorable characters, real history and drama, and almost unbearable tension, this is a marvellous piece of children's historical fiction. Highly recommended.
Bertha is travelling with her mother to join her father for an exciting new life in America - with any luck, an exciting new life free of the rules and restrictions of her old "respectable" life in Aberdeen. To pass the time, she teams up with a fellow 2nd Class passenger, Madge, and forms the Collyer-Watt Detective Agency. No sooner has she acquired a magnifying glass and a casebook than not one, but two cases drop in her lap: the mystery of Mr Hoffman and his strange protectiveness over his children, and even more exciting, a real-life treasure map...
The treasure map is in the hands of 3rd Class passenger Johan, a young Swedish boy who's desperate to get to America and bring the rest of his family across. He doesn't speak any English, and Bertha doesn't speak any Swedish, but somehow they manage to communicate.
Overshadowing these adventures, of course, is the iceberg in the Titanic's path. There's plenty of foreshadowing, with the word "unsinkable" being bandied about with aplomb, discussions of how much more dangerous a trans-Atlantic dirigible flight would be, and the occasional glance at the number of lifeboats.
When the iceberg hits, the fun and games of the investigations stop, but the drama, tension, and heartbreak ramp up. But the investigations aren't completely left behind, and this most familiar of stories has an unexpected conclusion to the case.
Like the author's previous historical novel for Cranachan, A Pattern of Secrets, the class divisions of society are clearly drawn; the Titanic itself is a stratified society in microcosm.
Full of memorable characters, real history and drama, and almost unbearable tension, this is a marvellous piece of children's historical fiction. Highly recommended.
October 24, 2019
Great book for younger readers about the titanic without the grim details or romance in so many.
April 7, 2019
This is an exciting historical novel featuring characters based on real passengers on the Titanic. Young Bertha is determined to find some mysteries to solve while she is on the crossing to her new life in America and together with Madge, forms the Collyer-Watt Detective Agency. They are convinced there is something odd about the way Mr Hoffman behaves with his children Lolo and Momon so that's their first investigation. A Swedish teenager Johan needs help interpreting a treasure map he has found, so there's another case. Their detection efforts are interrupted by the fateful collision with the iceberg, a familiar story to adults but perhaps not to young readers. Lindsay Littleson brings the danger and terror of that night to life through the eyes of her young characters. With mystery, excitement, adventure and danger, I'm sure this is a book kids will love. The author rounds off the story beautifully resolving all the mysteries and explaining what happened next to the significant characters in the book. I particularly liked the photos of the passengers we read about, which really brought home that they were real people, not just characters in a book. First class children's fiction.
September 18, 2021
What an exceptional book - the fact that all the characters are based on real passengers makes the story even more powerful.
Bertha is a headstrong young girl who is keen to solve mysteries whilst journeying on the Titanic. Johan is a character who embodies those in 3rd class. Desperate to make a better life for himself.
The final chapters where emotional reading. You know what is coming it’s not a new story in that sense. However, the power on the pages of this book is unrivalled.
The sense of grief, desperation and hope all mixed up in the various characters pulled at my heart with each word I read. It was humbling to read about the real life passengers at the end. A fitting tribute to those who survived and those who tragically lost their lives.
Bertha is a headstrong young girl who is keen to solve mysteries whilst journeying on the Titanic. Johan is a character who embodies those in 3rd class. Desperate to make a better life for himself.
The final chapters where emotional reading. You know what is coming it’s not a new story in that sense. However, the power on the pages of this book is unrivalled.
The sense of grief, desperation and hope all mixed up in the various characters pulled at my heart with each word I read. It was humbling to read about the real life passengers at the end. A fitting tribute to those who survived and those who tragically lost their lives.
February 13, 2022
This was an intriguing concept, as I wondered how it would entertain as a mystery whilst also tackling the inevitable. It did it perfectly! I loved reading about what life was like on the Titanic, but at the same time I felt apprehensive because, of course, I knew what was coming. I think this may be what spoiled it ever so slightly for me, I’m not sure. My favourite part was right at the very end where the author shares the real post-Titanic stories and photos of the characters - I didn’t even realise they were based on real people! However, I did feel like the sinking and subsequent rescue, whilst tackled sensitively and very emotionally, felt a bit rushed. I will be buying this for my library!
April 25, 2021
A brilliant mix of history and fiction. With characters based on actual passengers, their stories are beautifully blended with the well known history. I can imagine a child who doesn’t know about the Titanic being enthralled as the story unfolds, but if you do, you fear for the all of children (and adults!) that Lindsay Littleson so brilliantly introduces to us. Excellent.
January 23, 2021
An interesting read. The use of 2 view points allows you to explore 2 different experiences of the events on the Titanic. Embracing childhood imagination was another great hook as well. Overall, an enjoyable read and a good way to explore this historic event with children.
November 30, 2021
Lovely story, I loved reading every single part of the story. I love how the author put some fictional stuff into a real life event. I found that interesting.
February 25, 2023
A historical story based on the story of the Titanic. We are told about the unsinkable ship and how it is built for luxury not speed.
Bertha Watt is the first character we meet. She came from Aberdeen to travel on the New York to America with her jotter to join her father in Oregon. But the New York couldn't sail because of a coal strike. She is appalled that she may have to go back to her 'old life' in Aberdeen. Then, her Uncle, while they are staying in London says he has managed to get them tickets on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. Bertha and her mother are happy to join the ship as 2nd class passengers, sharing a cabin with two other ladies. Whilst their accommodation isn't bad Bertha's mum complained about being shown the 1st class area before being told they can't go there again!
The second character is Johan, he has travelled from Sweden to catch the Titanic, so allowing him to join his father and sister on a farm in South Dakota. But he is very unhappy, he has had to leave his mother and younger siblings in Sweden, he isn't looking forward to seeing his father at all. He thinks he will be swapping one hard life for another. He is in 3rd class, as he boards a stoker pushes past him and drops a ball of paper. Johan pockets it.
The third class passengers are all subjected to health checks on boarding. It's pretty degrading. The third class area is clearly very basic, they are in the bowels of the ship. They had to pay extra for a sink in their room.
Bertha is hoping that in America girls can do whatever they want. She wants to be heard, she wants to do something dramatic like fly planes or be a polar explorer. On the ship there are few children and she befriends Madge Collyer. Whilst looking for something to alleviate the boredom, Bertha and Madge start the Collyer-Watt Detective Agency. Their first case is the strange Mr Hoffman and his two small boys. Why doesn't he want anyone to talk to them? Is their mother really dead?
Then Johan appears, he needed someone who could read the letter and map, and he finds Bertha. They can't understand each other but miming helps!
Bertha is prepared to help Johan and goes in places a decent young lady would not go, much less with a 3rd class male passenger. But what is the treasure? Will they find it before Johan is found by the stoker who wants his property back? Does Johan know that there aren't enough lifeboats let alone that there are none on 3rd class deck?
But no-one is expecting to be woken up in the night....for the unsinkable ship to be sinking...for so many lives to be lost.
The calmness of the passengers, the horror of the 3rd class passengers held back by the crew. To listen to Bertha and her mother complaining that the lifeboat isn't full. To realise that, despite being a child, Johan was turned off a lifeboat. Then he meets that stoker again.
I loved this book. The history references and the stories of the two children and how they intertwine is so clever. The end of the book includes an 'After word' detailing the real stories of the people on board the Titanic, and what happened to them.
Bertha Watt is the first character we meet. She came from Aberdeen to travel on the New York to America with her jotter to join her father in Oregon. But the New York couldn't sail because of a coal strike. She is appalled that she may have to go back to her 'old life' in Aberdeen. Then, her Uncle, while they are staying in London says he has managed to get them tickets on the maiden voyage of the Titanic. Bertha and her mother are happy to join the ship as 2nd class passengers, sharing a cabin with two other ladies. Whilst their accommodation isn't bad Bertha's mum complained about being shown the 1st class area before being told they can't go there again!
The second character is Johan, he has travelled from Sweden to catch the Titanic, so allowing him to join his father and sister on a farm in South Dakota. But he is very unhappy, he has had to leave his mother and younger siblings in Sweden, he isn't looking forward to seeing his father at all. He thinks he will be swapping one hard life for another. He is in 3rd class, as he boards a stoker pushes past him and drops a ball of paper. Johan pockets it.
The third class passengers are all subjected to health checks on boarding. It's pretty degrading. The third class area is clearly very basic, they are in the bowels of the ship. They had to pay extra for a sink in their room.
Bertha is hoping that in America girls can do whatever they want. She wants to be heard, she wants to do something dramatic like fly planes or be a polar explorer. On the ship there are few children and she befriends Madge Collyer. Whilst looking for something to alleviate the boredom, Bertha and Madge start the Collyer-Watt Detective Agency. Their first case is the strange Mr Hoffman and his two small boys. Why doesn't he want anyone to talk to them? Is their mother really dead?
Then Johan appears, he needed someone who could read the letter and map, and he finds Bertha. They can't understand each other but miming helps!
Bertha is prepared to help Johan and goes in places a decent young lady would not go, much less with a 3rd class male passenger. But what is the treasure? Will they find it before Johan is found by the stoker who wants his property back? Does Johan know that there aren't enough lifeboats let alone that there are none on 3rd class deck?
But no-one is expecting to be woken up in the night....for the unsinkable ship to be sinking...for so many lives to be lost.
The calmness of the passengers, the horror of the 3rd class passengers held back by the crew. To listen to Bertha and her mother complaining that the lifeboat isn't full. To realise that, despite being a child, Johan was turned off a lifeboat. Then he meets that stoker again.
I loved this book. The history references and the stories of the two children and how they intertwine is so clever. The end of the book includes an 'After word' detailing the real stories of the people on board the Titanic, and what happened to them.
Read
August 29, 2020In this historical fiction middle grade novel, we meet Bertha Watt, our main protagonist, and a whole host of other passengers onboard RMS Titanic. Bertha soon befriends some other children and decides to begin her very own detective agency unravelling mysteries, including hidden treasure, aboard the Titanic.
Lindsay Littleson has a wonderful ability of presenting history in a way that will keep younger readers engaged throughout… I mean, even I was knowing how the story of the Titanic ends!
Whilst the story is fiction, many of the characters within are indeed real passengers (& survivors) of the Titanic; I could see these passenger snippets at the back of the book igniting the curiosity of children.
Lindsay Littleson has a wonderful ability of presenting history in a way that will keep younger readers engaged throughout… I mean, even I was knowing how the story of the Titanic ends!
Whilst the story is fiction, many of the characters within are indeed real passengers (& survivors) of the Titanic; I could see these passenger snippets at the back of the book igniting the curiosity of children.
July 1, 2025
was a small book but Is amazing, the book is about real people who survived and was on the titanic and what happened to them according to records aroujd the time as well as giving photos of some of them at the end.
it was interesting reading a book that took place in a more historical account time not normaly something I would read but was great non the less.
details was amazing and we got to understand other language barriers and perspectives from people in the second and 3rd call.
I almost cried during the end and could feel chills om my skin when the iceberg hit the ship for the first bit.
the book is exstreamly respectful to everyone's history to and makes sure all backgrounds were hurde not just the upper-class.
it was interesting reading a book that took place in a more historical account time not normaly something I would read but was great non the less.
details was amazing and we got to understand other language barriers and perspectives from people in the second and 3rd call.
I almost cried during the end and could feel chills om my skin when the iceberg hit the ship for the first bit.
the book is exstreamly respectful to everyone's history to and makes sure all backgrounds were hurde not just the upper-class.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2024
A cleverly woven tale, mixing fiction and fact, some of the characters being based on real-life passengers. It exposes the horrors but also the friendships and heroism of that fateful night. It is the perfect read for anyone who is fascinated by the story of the Titanic but is a book which is appropriate for readers aged 8/9 upwards. Lindsay has managed to share a key historical event with heart and emotion. The choice of making the main character second class was really interesting as many novels discuss first and third class in more detail. A fabulously emotive and enjoyable read.
March 9, 2021
A wonderful story set on the Titanic, many of the characters were actually passengers on the ill-fated ship. This book tells the story through two main characters, Bertha and Johan whose paths cross whilst on the voyage. Bertha is travelling with her mother and sets up her own detective agency to solve mysteries whilst on board. This book is an excellent blend of fact and fiction and would be great to use in school to support a Titanic topic.
August 24, 2024
Lindsay Littleson has written a wonderful story that intertwines the fate of the infamous Titanic's maiden voyage with real life characters who experienced the tragedy of the sinking.
For younger readers, the story is captivating as well as enlightening...bringing to life a vivid portrayal of life on board, from the luxury and privilege of first and second class, to the discrimation towards the masses in steerage. Littleton handles the events delicately. She moves skilfully from the narrative of Bertha investigating a couple of interesting and intriguing 'cases' in her self titled detective agency to the events of the 14th/15th April 1912. Nor does she shy away from the enormity of the tragedy.
Children reading The Titanic Detective Agency will not only enjoy a well written, entertaining story, but will learn much about an event etched into world history. Entertaining and educational, a perfect combination.
For younger readers, the story is captivating as well as enlightening...bringing to life a vivid portrayal of life on board, from the luxury and privilege of first and second class, to the discrimation towards the masses in steerage. Littleton handles the events delicately. She moves skilfully from the narrative of Bertha investigating a couple of interesting and intriguing 'cases' in her self titled detective agency to the events of the 14th/15th April 1912. Nor does she shy away from the enormity of the tragedy.
Children reading The Titanic Detective Agency will not only enjoy a well written, entertaining story, but will learn much about an event etched into world history. Entertaining and educational, a perfect combination.
December 22, 2024
I really enjoyed this, the writing style is wonderful and the characters really come to life. So original to have two main characters that can’t speak to each other. The description of the sinking was forthright and may not be suitable for all - but then it’s a book set on the Titanic so that shouldn’t be a surprise!
February 5, 2021
Great book to read it you're interested in what it was like aboard the Titanic from a child's perspective. Following the story of a young girl and her Detective Agency. I enjoyed it.
October 9, 2021
Interesting read but too short a section of the actual titanic sinking.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2023
Perfect for use in our Year 6 Titanic topic. Lots of true facts nestled amongst fiction.
May 18, 2025
3.5 rounded down to 3
May 7, 2022
I read this novel alongside my Titanic themed unit with my Year 5/6 class. Although it wasn’t my favourite, the children were hooked from the beginning.
It was great to speak to the author and get some resources to use in class too.
It was great to speak to the author and get some resources to use in class too.
December 31, 2024
It was an okay story but I wasn't intrigued enough by the mystery. I felt the book dragged a little until we got to the actual sinking. That section really piqued my interest and I went on to read more about the Titanic. I am sure this book will inspire plenty of it's intended younger readers to do the same.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews