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Friday Barnes #1

Girl Detective

Imagine if Sherlock Holmes was an eleven-year-old girl!

When girl detective Friday Barnes solves a bank robbery she uses the reward money to send herself to the most exclusive boarding school in the country, Highcrest Academy.

On arrival, Friday is shocked to discover the respectable school is actually a hotbed of crime. She's soon investigating everything from disappearing homework to the Yeti running around the school swamp. That's when she's not dealing with her own problem – Ian Wainscott, the handsomest boy in school, who inexplicably hates Friday and loves nasty pranks.

Can Friday solve Highcrest Academy's many strange mysteries, including the biggest mystery of all – what's the point of high school?

256 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2014

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About the author

R.A. Spratt

51 books394 followers
R.A. Spratt is an award-winning author and television writer. She lives in Bowral, Australia with her husband and two daughters.

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5 stars
1,413 (53%)
4 stars
811 (30%)
3 stars
346 (13%)
2 stars
57 (2%)
1 star
26 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews
Profile Image for Jacob Proffitt.
3,348 reviews2,255 followers
March 16, 2021
I don't pick up a lot of middle-grade fiction, but every now and then, something piques my interest somehow and I dive in. I love when it turns out as well as this one did.

The tone of this book flows right from the start. It's a mix of snark and insight told in a straight-up manner that is immediately engaging. Friday Barnes is a self-taught auto-didact with a love for mystery solving and quality alone-time, and a distaste for physical exertion—so if Veronica Mars were an introverted wuss in middle school. Which undersells the story dreadfully but is about as good as I can come up with for plot/character description.

And I think I'll leave it at that, except to add that I loved it right from the git-go and gulped it down whole. If you think you may be intrigued, the first chapter will give you all you need to know if you'll enjoy it or not.

A note about illustrations: The copy I have has marvelous illustrations by Phil Gosier. They're the perfect enhancement to the story and full of character. I looked forward to each one as a discovery in its own right.

A note about cliffhangers: This ends on a tease that some may call a cliffhanger. It may qualify, but it isn't the reader-hating abomination that comprises most cliffhangers. All the story threads wrap very well, indeed, so when the zinger hits at the end, it's pure invitation and doesn't leave any question about what happened or alter our understanding of events to that point. If you're going to do a cliffhanger, this is the model to follow!
Profile Image for Neko.
546 reviews42 followers
September 6, 2015
Admittedly I bought this because I love Nanny Piggins! I find that Nanny Piggins has humour in it that adults can get but Friday Barnes doesn't (or maybe not in this first book). I still love the writing style and find I have a picture quickly built in my head about the character(s) and the world that Friday lives in but something was missing (maybe Nanny Piggins..lol).

I feel like there is a lot of similarities between the two books and one example is the parents lack of interest in the child (or in Nanny Piggins case children).

Friday Barnes is a detective and a very smart one at that! She likes to be a child who goes unnoticed (hence her clothing choices) but this seriously changes when she moves school. She doesn't want to follow in her parents footsteps. She's never really been one for making friends but again the school changes this! Word gets out that she solved a mystery at her private school and then it seems like everyone and their cat has a mystery to solve.

I think this book will really appeal to girls from grade 3 and upwards. Possibly some of the words will go straight over their heads but Friday is a very likeable character and her friends are too.

I was umming over purchasing the next book but this one left on such a cliff hanger I may not be able to help myself!!
Profile Image for T.J. Burns.
Author 83 books45 followers
December 16, 2015
Clever, entertaining, and educational. I buddy read this book with my 9-year-old daughter -- and we both had to constantly look up words to keep up with 11-year-old Friday Barnes!

Between the wacky and unusual cases that Friday gets herself involved in and the conglomeration of diverse and colorful characters, this book kept us interested and entertained from beginning to end.

We have already started the second book in the series, Friday Barnes Under Suspicion!



I received a copy of this book from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Schizanthus Nerd.
1,321 reviews314 followers
March 18, 2016
Friday Barnes is currently my favourite girl detective. I first read this book in 2016 and my reread has been just as enjoyable. Friday is eccentric, extraordinarily smart and forthright.

Friday was named after the day on which she was born. Well, she would have been if it had actually been a Friday. She was really born on a Thursday but her ever distracted (and dare I say, neglectful) parents confused the days. Their minds were no doubt on quasars or electrons at the time. Don’t believe me? Friday’s older siblings are named Quantum, Quasar, Orion and Halley.

Friday essentially raised herself and until recently has spent most of her time in silence, reading anything she can get her hands on. Faced with the problem of needing to attend high school, despite passing the entrance exam to study medicine at university, eleven year old Friday elects to send herself to an elite boarding school. She pays for the tuition with the reward money she earned from solving the case of a missing multi-million dollar diamond.

Once she arrives at Highcrest Academy, Friday becomes known as the resident mystery solver, taking on cases of missing homework and the swamp yeti who has been terrorising the students.
‘Swamp yetis don’t exist.’
She also finds a potential nemesis/love interest and spends much more time sitting on the bench outside the Headmaster’s office than she does in a classroom.
‘Sometimes I wonder if you are startlingly gifted,’ said the Headmaster, ‘or you simply have access to some sort of illicit counter-intelligence mind-reading device.’
Occasionally she even needs to suck on a lollipop when she’s considering all of the variables of a problem, something she only does when she’s “processing a difficult conundrum.”

Despite Friday’s off the charts IQ, she’s not the best at picking up on social cues, although she is slowly getting better at detecting rhetorical questions. It’s lucky for her that her new roommate, Melanie Pelly, notices things that other people don’t.
‘My brain just does it. The hard part is getting it to notice things that are useful.’
Uncle Bernie, although he doesn’t have a great deal of page time in the first book, quickly became my favourite character. He appreciates Friday for who she is (brown cardigans and all) and is the only family member that appears to even notice her existence.

I’ve been planning a Friday Barnes binge for several years. With the release of the ninth book I’ve decided it’s finally time.

I would have adored this series as a kid and am having fun with them so far as an adult. I’ve yet to decide if Friday and I would have been best friends or mortal enemies if we were in the same class. Either way, I know I wouldn’t have been bored.

Beware: this book ends in a cliffhanger.

I’m rounding up from 4.5 stars.

Blog - https://schizanthusnerd.com
Profile Image for Darla.
5,221 reviews1,385 followers
June 22, 2018
Love, love, love this middle grade mystery series. From the way Friday got her name to the way she thinks there is endless entertainment in the solving of the mysteries all around. She has an eye for details and an affinity for anonymity. The two cannot coexist once Friday begins attending an exclusive boarding school. Great fun!
Profile Image for Laura.
3,378 reviews108 followers
October 29, 2015
The book is describing Friday as an 11 year-old Sherlock Holmes, and that is sort of correct. But she is not just that. She is a whole person herself.

If you are thinking, oh, this is sort of like Encyclopedia Brown, which is what I thought going in, you will be pleasantly surprised that it is not. The only similiarty is that there are usually simple mysteries that if you are observant you can solve as well. All but a few were like that, at least for me. Some, near the end, felt a little dues ex macina.

There are some great lines in the book, to give you a good idea of the humor, as well as the writing style.

Friday had received an A+ for her presentation on Rosalind Franklin and how Watson, Crick and ovarian cancer had combined to cheat her out of a Nobel Price for her role in the discovery of the structure of DNA


See, if you didn't know this, you learned this now.

Another quote that I put aside for this was:

"Yes," said Friday. "The one thing Binky excels at is following instructions without thinking."
"He gets that from our father," said Melaine. "All the Pelly men are good at not thinking."


And don't be put off because the books were originally written and published in Australia. It has been "translated" for the most part, although there were little bits where I could tell it wasn't originally an American book (which is fine by me).

So, you are probably asking, what is the book about? Well, it is about an 11 year old girl solving mysteries. If I say much more than that, it takes away from the enjoyment of reading and enjoying the book, at least it would for me. Friday is very likable, despite not fitting in (or in spite of, because who really does fit in at school?).

And yes it is Middle School (as opposed to YA), but don't let that stop you. It is a quick (about 2 or 3 hours) fun read, and if you are burned out on YA or NA or whatever the current trend is, I would suggest picking this one up.
Profile Image for Anne Beardsley.
263 reviews22 followers
February 20, 2017
Some books may not entirely deserve 5 stars, but you can't bring yourself to give them less.

The storytelling voice is that of Friday, the neglected daughter of two physicists who was raised with logic and alone time. She has never had a friend. After all, other children are unhygienic, demanding, hysterical, and generally trouble. Being inconspicuous is a science that Friday has raised to the level of high art. The voice and mindset of Friday Barnes are a delight, and the book ended far too soon.

All this changes when Friday solves a case and uses the reward money to send herself to an expensive private boarding school: good education and they might do a better job of raising her than her parents. In a dizzingly short space of time she manages to attract a friend, a nemesis, all the attention she never wanted, and all kinds of trouble.
Profile Image for Ruby.
111 reviews
February 19, 2018
This book, and this series, is one of my favourites ever. I enjoyed it immensely and am practically in love with it - as a fan of mystery and comedy, it was the perfect combination. Even though younger readers could enjoy it, I think all people from teenagers to adults will still find it engaging. If you haven’t read these 8 books, you’re missing out!!
Profile Image for Yusra ❥.
352 reviews
May 28, 2018
This is my third re-read of this series still good years later, I love this series so much😭✨
4,542 reviews62 followers
April 3, 2021
An entertaining story that has kids acting age appropriately and the level is right without being too simplified (not always an easy thing to do). The illustrations add to it. I wanted to be Friday Barnes when I was a kid.
Profile Image for JASMINE NIELD.
17 reviews
August 3, 2024
Loved these books when I was younger! Would definitely recommend for young teens! 💖 I read all 12 books and loved them!! Xx Defo recommend! ❤️✨️
Profile Image for Zoe.
20 reviews
August 15, 2017
Amusing and quick read. Can see why my 10 year old friend recommended it - I would have enjoyed it heaps at her age too! I wish I could get away with being as brutally honest as Friday :)
47 reviews
September 1, 2024
i wish i had discovered this book as a middle schooler not as a young adult :,)
Profile Image for Ashley Anderson.
203 reviews1 follower
September 6, 2025
I bought this book since it's by the same author as the Nanny Piggins series, which is a favorite in our house. It's a lighthearted mystery set at a private boarding school. Friday Barnes is a fun, quirky character who is a bit too smart for her own good. I read it aloud and my boys all enjoyed it (even the 14 year old who doesn't always love read alouds).
Profile Image for Danielle McGregor.
643 reviews7 followers
May 3, 2025
Very much enjoyed by my 5 year old and 9 year old.

‘A great mystery. Friday was an excellent character.’

We listened on audio :)
Profile Image for Amita.
343 reviews2 followers
August 18, 2021
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a character named Ian must be a stuck-up, cocky rich boy. Wouldn't have it any other way.

RIVALRY REVIEW
INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERIZATION: 4/5. Both Friday and Ian are super funny but for incredibly different reasons EVEN THOUGH I would hate Ian irl. If I attended this school we would have already gotten into a fistfight.
INITIAL DYNAMIC: 5/5. I'm cheating a bit and using info from the end of the book to influence this decision but who cares. The situation(s) that pit these two against each other are perfect and highly amusing.
RIVALRY DEVELOPMENT: N/A. This is a series and I think the rivals stay rivaling for a while longer (GOOD) so the dynamic doesn't change, which means no rating in this category.
GENERAL CHAOS LEVEL: 3/5. If the entire book wasn't as bizarre as it is, this score would probably be higher, but as it stands, the actions of this feud are quite entertaining but not levels of crazy above other things happening in the plot.

Average: 4/5

BONUS POINTS:
RED HERRING RIVAL (+0.5) - We're handed the typical teen drama movie nemesis (mean popular girl) and not two pages after she's introduced, the book is just like "yeah no she's not the actual rival just a random character lol" which made me laugh so bonus points.
SIKE. YOU THOUGHT (+1) - Imagine: you think you're about to be announced as your school's top scoring student again but then it ends up being the new student/your future rival... that's gotta be rough. Not for me tho y'all stay safe.
SHOWMANSHIP (+0.5) - What makes everything better? That's right, an audience! Have some points for embarrassing your rival by fact-checking his history presentation and proving he was indeed not in Egypt in front of the whole class. Fantastic content.
INJURED IN BATTLE (+1) - I honestly can't get over this type of scene. "I know you're hurt and I'm the only one who can help you but you're also still irritating. also you're stupid" ok you convinced me take my money!!!

TOTAL RIVALRY SCORE: 7/5.
Though not exactly a focal point of the book and appearing far less than most of the other rivalries I'll be analyzing, Friday and Ian make up for their lack of screentime with some key bonus point scenes and a promise of more to come in future volumes.

***

This book is so funny like??? The school is the most chaotic hotbed of rich kids ever and for that I've become obsessed with it. Someone enroll me rn. Every character is either a mess (derogatory) or a mess (affectionate) and there is NOTHING in between. Also just for the record, Melanie is THE aroace mood!
Profile Image for Amelia Rockliff.
85 reviews4 followers
July 10, 2014
I chose this book as my July Book of the Month for the bookshop I work at. My bookshop received a proof copy from the publishers but this review is my own honest opinion of the book.

Friday Barnes: Girl Detective is the first fantastic book in a new series.

Friday is incredibly intelligent, amazingly perceptive, has an extraordinarily broad and advanced knowledge base, and yet few social skills to speak of; she is an 11 year old Sherlock-Holmes-style genius.

Faced with the horror of her parents' plan to send her to the local high school, Friday decides to use her brilliant intelligence and observation skills to fund her way through a swanky private school instead - because if she must attend high school then she'd like to go somewhere that operates on a profit motive. Once there, she discovers that rich kids have an awful lot of problems, and by offering them her detective services she can keep herself intellectually stimulated whilst simultaneously turning a tidy profit.

The people Friday finds herself surrounded with are delightful and quirky characters, and even minor characters manage to shine in their own small roles. Tongue-in-cheek jokes abound, and I found myself giggling every few pages at the wry humour.
Profile Image for The Library Lady.
3,930 reviews696 followers
September 29, 2016
Another book where the reviewers and I clearly read different books.

Two chapters of this book and I was ready to flip through to the end. Friday is self taught and neglected, but while Roald Dahl made this wonderful in the immortal character of Matilda, Friday is just an annoying little know it all. I'm with the headmaster--I'd like to whack her.

P.S. The author may think he/she is channeling Roald Dahl's witty, droll prose. He/she isn't.
Profile Image for Ellie.
37 reviews
August 4, 2022
The kind of book I would have loved as an 11-year-old. The kind of book that I love as a 39-year-old
Profile Image for Divvy  S.
117 reviews2 followers
June 16, 2022
I AM HOLLERING THIS IS THE BEST ONE I READ THIS MONTH. I give up on YA seriously. I mean, how is it that a book not written for my age group hits the ball out of the park for everything I need: a smart female protagonist, wholesome f/f friendships, amazing mysteries, hilarious one-liners, and frickin academic rivals without the romance plotline taking over any other aspects? I love this. I'm a fan now <3
Profile Image for Gemma.
124 reviews1 follower
June 24, 2023
Anna, you did not just give me a book that ends on a cliffhanger I hate you for that, now I need the second one. kinda wish Ian kissed her when they were out n the swamp I'm like Melanie observant and loves a good romance. this book kinda reminds me of another series that I have which is like 18 books long can't remember the name of it, it'll come to me sooner or later. Good book Anna I need book 2, please
Profile Image for ~just one hopeless romantic~.
251 reviews2 followers
December 16, 2020
I seriously 😐 love ❤️ this book 📚 I love how Friday is not admitting that she likes Ian they are a great 😌 team except for the fact that there totally 💯 do not have the same personality 😏😟😖😫 because Ian is the snobby liar 😱🤬😡😤 while Friday is the smart nice 👍 know it all 🤔😶😐😑😸😺 like I said I love 💗 this book 📖
Profile Image for  Saskia The Book Dragon.
1,247 reviews7 followers
August 29, 2026
With all the glory and irreverence of Nanny Piggins by (the same author), Friday Barnes is the girl detective we all love and want to be. Honestly: great story, great characters, great writing ... that's an unequaled combo right there!!

Highly recommend.

Middle Grade
11yo protagonist
Ages 10-12
Profile Image for true.
9 reviews1 follower
February 21, 2022
Realising a lot of the books I read when I was younger were about girl defectives at posh boarding schools?

Always interesting rereading middle grade books! I liked it well enough, but Nanny Piggins were always superb in comparison (might have to reread those too).
Profile Image for EAwesome.
3 reviews
March 10, 2017
I loved this book because it has a lot of character and is really funny!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews