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Rockstar Detectives #1
Rockstar Detectives
The debut novel from comedian and presenter of The Last Leg, Adam Hills, featuring a young detective dream team.
When a priceless painting goes missing, Charley - a 12-year-old viral singing sensation - and her best friend George - camera whizz and budding comedian - are shocked to discover they're the prime suspects.
Now Charley and George have to prove they're not international criminals - all while nailing a stellar European tour and keeping up with their homework! But as news of high-profile heists hits the headlines wherever they go, Charley and George keep finding themselves in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Can they solve these baffling crimes and save themselves, or will their shot for stardom be over almost as soon as it's begun?
Featuring brilliant illustrations from Luna Valentine.
When a priceless painting goes missing, Charley - a 12-year-old viral singing sensation - and her best friend George - camera whizz and budding comedian - are shocked to discover they're the prime suspects.
Now Charley and George have to prove they're not international criminals - all while nailing a stellar European tour and keeping up with their homework! But as news of high-profile heists hits the headlines wherever they go, Charley and George keep finding themselves in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Can they solve these baffling crimes and save themselves, or will their shot for stardom be over almost as soon as it's begun?
Featuring brilliant illustrations from Luna Valentine.
305 pages, Paperback
Published February 3, 2022
14 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Adam Hills
6 books21 followersAdam Hills is an Australian comedian and television presenter. Known in Australia for hosting the music and quiz show Spicks and Specks and the talk show Adam Hills Tonight, he became known for his combination of positive uplifting comedy and spontaneity - seeing him receive a number of awards and glowing reviews along the way. In 2012, he hosted a one-off series for Channel 4 airing over 2012 London Paralympics called The Last Leg. Now in its 12th series, the show is one of the most popular shows in the UK. He lives in London with his wife and two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 30, 2023
Adam Hills is one of my favorite stand up comedians. He is also known as one of the nicest people in stand up comedy. So now that he’s writing some fiction books, I thought I’d give them a try. Considering my rating, it’s safe to say that I was not disappointed.
Charley is a 12-year-old girl who went viral online and is now a global singing sensation. She tours with her best friend George who always has a camera ready and handles her social media. When a lot of valuable things get stolen in many different countries, at the time they were there for the singing tour, they become the prime suspects. They decide to launch an investigation of their own, to clear their names. But while investigating they realize that the thefts do indeed seem very suspiciously connected to the tour.
Due to the Covid travel restrictions, stand up comedian Adam Hills found himself stuck in a hotel room for like two weeks every time he went back to his native Australia, giving him a lot of extra time and not much to do. Then he thought about something one of his daughters said, about wanting to become both a rock singer and a detective. Using his daughter’s future plans as inspiration, he decided to use his time wisely and write a book.
The mystery plot is kept rather simple and cozy, but is nonetheless pretty solid. It’s not the most complex mystery, but it very much feels like a mystery suitable for the target audience. It’s clear that Adam Hills is a stand up comedian first and an author second, as this is quite a funny read at times. Some of the gags in the beginning probably would have worked better on stage than in writing. But this definitely gets better as the story progresses.
Adam Hills very much used his own personal experience to write this book. If you’re a fan of his stand up comedy, you’ll find a lot of subtle references to some of the stories he tells on stage. Like in the beginning of the story, the characters are in Amsterdam. And it’s said how nice the Dutch people are. Which is part of a story he loves to tell on stage, how he once told a joke in Holland about an American Olympic female swimmer. Though you don’t even need to be aware of his stand up comedy routines to enjoy the story. This is just a little bonus for those who are already a fan of his.
It’s also clear he himself influenced the characters. The most obvious being George, as he’s an aspiring stand up comedian with a disability. Because Adam Hills is a stand up comedian with a disability. Charley’s on stage and off stage experiences also seem a bit inspired by the author’s own life. As are her fans.
Adam Hills took a very smart approach by writing this book mostly from his own personal experience, which makes it feel quite genuine and easy to connect with the characters. It’s a very solid and entertaining middle grade mystery book.
Charley is a 12-year-old girl who went viral online and is now a global singing sensation. She tours with her best friend George who always has a camera ready and handles her social media. When a lot of valuable things get stolen in many different countries, at the time they were there for the singing tour, they become the prime suspects. They decide to launch an investigation of their own, to clear their names. But while investigating they realize that the thefts do indeed seem very suspiciously connected to the tour.
Due to the Covid travel restrictions, stand up comedian Adam Hills found himself stuck in a hotel room for like two weeks every time he went back to his native Australia, giving him a lot of extra time and not much to do. Then he thought about something one of his daughters said, about wanting to become both a rock singer and a detective. Using his daughter’s future plans as inspiration, he decided to use his time wisely and write a book.
The mystery plot is kept rather simple and cozy, but is nonetheless pretty solid. It’s not the most complex mystery, but it very much feels like a mystery suitable for the target audience. It’s clear that Adam Hills is a stand up comedian first and an author second, as this is quite a funny read at times. Some of the gags in the beginning probably would have worked better on stage than in writing. But this definitely gets better as the story progresses.
Adam Hills very much used his own personal experience to write this book. If you’re a fan of his stand up comedy, you’ll find a lot of subtle references to some of the stories he tells on stage. Like in the beginning of the story, the characters are in Amsterdam. And it’s said how nice the Dutch people are. Which is part of a story he loves to tell on stage, how he once told a joke in Holland about an American Olympic female swimmer. Though you don’t even need to be aware of his stand up comedy routines to enjoy the story. This is just a little bonus for those who are already a fan of his.
It’s also clear he himself influenced the characters. The most obvious being George, as he’s an aspiring stand up comedian with a disability. Because Adam Hills is a stand up comedian with a disability. Charley’s on stage and off stage experiences also seem a bit inspired by the author’s own life. As are her fans.
Adam Hills took a very smart approach by writing this book mostly from his own personal experience, which makes it feel quite genuine and easy to connect with the characters. It’s a very solid and entertaining middle grade mystery book.
October 23, 2022
This was an adorable read. Perhaps I should preface my review with my background though: I’m an adult and definitely not the target group, so this is obviously something I’m bearing in mind as I write this review. Moreover, I received a free copy in advance but it was in exchange for an honest review and therefore has no impact on my rating.
Two things drew me to this book:
1) The inclusion of a character with a disability. My own disability is very different from George’s, but I would have given so much to read more stories with disabled characters when I was a child.
2) I absolutely devoured all sorts of detective stories when I was a child and I’m not ashamed to say that I am still happy to re-read some of my favourites as an adult. I wanted to see how these sorts of stories are done these days.
Overall, this was a well-done children’s book with an interesting story line and a plot twist that I admittedly so coming from miles away as an adult reader but that would probably surprise younger readers. The following aspects stood out:
[b]The writing & the illustrations:[/b] This was well-suited for the targeted age group. The only thing that bothered me a little was an overuse of brackets in places where they were absolutely not necessary. The illustrations were cute and fitting but also not overdone – perfect!
[b]The characters: [/b]I thought the two main protagonists – Charley and George – were very likeable and I would have loved them as a kid! Most importantly, I can’t stress enough how much I loved seeing a children’s book with a disabled character that is not solely defined by their disability. I thought this was well done as George’s wheelchair does feature in the book and in some plotlines) in a tactful way) and this sense it’s always there but it’s not his defining characteristic/talent/problem as it sometimes tends to be in stories about disabled characters. More of this please, especially in children’s fiction!
Most of the adult characters remain stereotypes at best and are just utterly clueless at worst. It fits the book and its vibe overall – it’s not the most serious book in the world but meant to be a more fun and light-hearted romp. Nonetheless, I thought I should mention this in a review as I remember very vividly that when I was a child reading books it bothered me a little when adult characters were obviously a lot less well-rounded than the kid protagonists. This is down to personal taste though.
[b]The plot:[/b] It was a fun romp, honestly, but even for a middle-grade book I found this a little far-fetched. The kids are being accused of art theft – but apparently the police never informed their parents but keeps threatening to arrest them. They take it on themselves to solve the crime but some of their suspects are so far-fetched you can’t even consider it circumstantial. For example, they suspect a friend’s father because he is a pilot and apparently that means he could have reached the international destinations that things were stolen from. It depends a lot on the child, they level or maturity and experience as a reader. However, personally, when I was middle-grade-aged I was already reading detective fiction with more realistic plotlines and suspects. I would, therefore, recommend this story for younger children and/or inexperienced readers. I did love the different places that the protagonists visited and the information on various European destinations & their history. This was very well done!
Two things drew me to this book:
1) The inclusion of a character with a disability. My own disability is very different from George’s, but I would have given so much to read more stories with disabled characters when I was a child.
2) I absolutely devoured all sorts of detective stories when I was a child and I’m not ashamed to say that I am still happy to re-read some of my favourites as an adult. I wanted to see how these sorts of stories are done these days.
Overall, this was a well-done children’s book with an interesting story line and a plot twist that I admittedly so coming from miles away as an adult reader but that would probably surprise younger readers. The following aspects stood out:
[b]The writing & the illustrations:[/b] This was well-suited for the targeted age group. The only thing that bothered me a little was an overuse of brackets in places where they were absolutely not necessary. The illustrations were cute and fitting but also not overdone – perfect!
[b]The characters: [/b]I thought the two main protagonists – Charley and George – were very likeable and I would have loved them as a kid! Most importantly, I can’t stress enough how much I loved seeing a children’s book with a disabled character that is not solely defined by their disability. I thought this was well done as George’s wheelchair does feature in the book and in some plotlines) in a tactful way) and this sense it’s always there but it’s not his defining characteristic/talent/problem as it sometimes tends to be in stories about disabled characters. More of this please, especially in children’s fiction!
Most of the adult characters remain stereotypes at best and are just utterly clueless at worst. It fits the book and its vibe overall – it’s not the most serious book in the world but meant to be a more fun and light-hearted romp. Nonetheless, I thought I should mention this in a review as I remember very vividly that when I was a child reading books it bothered me a little when adult characters were obviously a lot less well-rounded than the kid protagonists. This is down to personal taste though.
[b]The plot:[/b] It was a fun romp, honestly, but even for a middle-grade book I found this a little far-fetched. The kids are being accused of art theft – but apparently the police never informed their parents but keeps threatening to arrest them. They take it on themselves to solve the crime but some of their suspects are so far-fetched you can’t even consider it circumstantial. For example, they suspect a friend’s father because he is a pilot and apparently that means he could have reached the international destinations that things were stolen from. It depends a lot on the child, they level or maturity and experience as a reader. However, personally, when I was middle-grade-aged I was already reading detective fiction with more realistic plotlines and suspects. I would, therefore, recommend this story for younger children and/or inexperienced readers. I did love the different places that the protagonists visited and the information on various European destinations & their history. This was very well done!
January 11, 2022
I appreciate the comedy of the author alot, so wondered if that would shine in this and I think it does as we get a fun story of intrigue, friendship and following your dreams in this book about two young people being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Both Charlie and George are really well written characters who have such great personalities throughout this book and really react to things like a kid would which I think is sometimes very difficult to write, however I think the author does such a good job here - not to mention I've not actually read enough books with characters that are in a wheelchair, nevermind ones that are written as well as this - George is a great balance to Charlie's character throughout. I think it's put well in the book that Charlie is the creative one, and George is the planner.
Plot-wise, it's such a fun read and very difficult to stop reading, especially coming into those final chapters where the story twists and turns and makes for a fantastic ending. The use of history in the places they visit is done really well and the story has a really fast and great pace that kids are going to love. The cast of characters is excellent, and I can imagine this being the first in a great series, but I'd also love to see this as a kid's show or film, it feels like you're watching a film sometimes as the scene setting is done so well.
A really fun read that kids will love, I hope we have more adventures with these two great characters!
(I received an ARC from Netgalley for honest review).
Both Charlie and George are really well written characters who have such great personalities throughout this book and really react to things like a kid would which I think is sometimes very difficult to write, however I think the author does such a good job here - not to mention I've not actually read enough books with characters that are in a wheelchair, nevermind ones that are written as well as this - George is a great balance to Charlie's character throughout. I think it's put well in the book that Charlie is the creative one, and George is the planner.
Plot-wise, it's such a fun read and very difficult to stop reading, especially coming into those final chapters where the story twists and turns and makes for a fantastic ending. The use of history in the places they visit is done really well and the story has a really fast and great pace that kids are going to love. The cast of characters is excellent, and I can imagine this being the first in a great series, but I'd also love to see this as a kid's show or film, it feels like you're watching a film sometimes as the scene setting is done so well.
A really fun read that kids will love, I hope we have more adventures with these two great characters!
(I received an ARC from Netgalley for honest review).
January 10, 2022
12 year old Charley is a viral singing sensation taking the world by storm; along with her best friend/cameraman/future comedian George, they are touring the world and having the time of their lives.
When a priceless painting goes missing whilst they're on tour, the duo are shocked to find themselves as prime suspects of the crime. It's down to the two rockstar detectives to prove their innocence when evidence of even more bizarre thefts seem to be stacking against them.
I love this book, it's hilarious and witty with a real mystery that kept me guessing. It also made me want to visit so many places in the world, I learned new things in the most fun way! The characters are so likeable, even the not so nice ones - I couldn't help but root for them at the end, that's the kind of story this this. I absolutely love that George being a wheelchair user is such a normal part of the story and isn't made into a big deal, it's exactly as it should be and I'm so happy his hilarious character is what shines through above all else. I hope there's going to be a second book, this was too funny for there to not be a follow up.
When a priceless painting goes missing whilst they're on tour, the duo are shocked to find themselves as prime suspects of the crime. It's down to the two rockstar detectives to prove their innocence when evidence of even more bizarre thefts seem to be stacking against them.
I love this book, it's hilarious and witty with a real mystery that kept me guessing. It also made me want to visit so many places in the world, I learned new things in the most fun way! The characters are so likeable, even the not so nice ones - I couldn't help but root for them at the end, that's the kind of story this this. I absolutely love that George being a wheelchair user is such a normal part of the story and isn't made into a big deal, it's exactly as it should be and I'm so happy his hilarious character is what shines through above all else. I hope there's going to be a second book, this was too funny for there to not be a follow up.
May 21, 2022
Would definitely recommend for Middlegrade readers (and anyone else interested). This was funny, full of friendship, great diversity rep and generally just a fun time. Read it in one sitting and was kept intrigued the whole way through. Knocked one star off as you really have to suspend your belief at times as the logic is lacking. But I'll definitely be picking up the next in the series!
June 27, 2022
Witty, heart warming and mysterious.
A fantastic middle grade book perfect for introducing young readers to the mystery genre. Filled with good humour and a wonderful friendship to tie everything together.
A fantastic middle grade book perfect for introducing young readers to the mystery genre. Filled with good humour and a wonderful friendship to tie everything together.
May 25, 2023
Lots of fun for a young, middlegrade audience. This feeds into the fantasy of being a rockstar at school age and hey, isn't that a dream for many children (I do know some kids who've told me they want to be rockstars and movie stars ... it's such a drag that there are pesky things called school and adults in the way!)
But Charley actually has made it! Woohoo!
What isn't so great is now she is suspected of being an art thief.
This detective story is a lot of fun as it combines the childish rockstar fantasy and travel with social media, which would be familiar to young people, and an original approach to solving the crime as the children are the suspects.
Instead of having Sherlock or forensic scientists pick apart a place and find that one clever clue that even the police couldn't find (or whatever), the staple of many detective stories, Charley and George desperately think of whom they "suspect" and try to follow up their leads. Their suspicions could be simply that they don't think they are acting 100% properly, rather than looking for the hard evidence, but then they try to work out if that means anything. As they do, they are aware that others are looking at them suspiciously!
I thought this worked well and the structure of the story was different from a usual detective story. It was fun.
Also, George was great in his wheelchair. We don't have many stories where a character is in a wheelchair and George was written in, in an accepting manner, his wheelchair became a feature but wasn't more important than George being a good friend to Charley.
A breezy, fun and funny read for the kids.
But Charley actually has made it! Woohoo!
What isn't so great is now she is suspected of being an art thief.
This detective story is a lot of fun as it combines the childish rockstar fantasy and travel with social media, which would be familiar to young people, and an original approach to solving the crime as the children are the suspects.
Instead of having Sherlock or forensic scientists pick apart a place and find that one clever clue that even the police couldn't find (or whatever), the staple of many detective stories, Charley and George desperately think of whom they "suspect" and try to follow up their leads. Their suspicions could be simply that they don't think they are acting 100% properly, rather than looking for the hard evidence, but then they try to work out if that means anything. As they do, they are aware that others are looking at them suspiciously!
I thought this worked well and the structure of the story was different from a usual detective story. It was fun.
Also, George was great in his wheelchair. We don't have many stories where a character is in a wheelchair and George was written in, in an accepting manner, his wheelchair became a feature but wasn't more important than George being a good friend to Charley.
A breezy, fun and funny read for the kids.
February 17, 2022
Comedian Adam Hills has turned his hand to writing with this middle-grade crime fiction aimed at the 8-12 age group. Twelve-year old YouTube singing sensation Charley and her best mate (and social media guru) George are living every kid's dream! Sensations on Tiktok and already stars of a European tour! But all of that is on the line when an art thief seems to be framing them for a series of expensive thefts - can Charley and George prove their innocence before their careers are canceled?
Kids will love this one! Generation Alpha kids with more device-savvy than I will ever possess won't think twice about the plausibility of Charley and George's career torpedo - and why would they, internet stars rise to fame everyday? They might struggle, like I did, to accept a police officer quite so incredibly incompetent, but given most tween and teen kids think adults are a bit clueless, maybe not. Still, this is a fun story with the potential for a series and I am sure I will be enjoying more of Charley and George stories.
Great for fans of Friday Barnes, Alice-Miranda, Frankie Fish or Kid President.
Kids will love this one! Generation Alpha kids with more device-savvy than I will ever possess won't think twice about the plausibility of Charley and George's career torpedo - and why would they, internet stars rise to fame everyday? They might struggle, like I did, to accept a police officer quite so incredibly incompetent, but given most tween and teen kids think adults are a bit clueless, maybe not. Still, this is a fun story with the potential for a series and I am sure I will be enjoying more of Charley and George stories.
Great for fans of Friday Barnes, Alice-Miranda, Frankie Fish or Kid President.
August 1, 2024
This book was a lot of fun and I enjoyed seeing how the mystery was coming together and trying to figure out who was framing the children (I guessed wrong). This book had me constantly wanting to know more and I liked that we saw how the events were effecting the performances and the fanbase as well.
Having one of the main characters in a wheelchair was so nice to read especially as it didn't effect him in a negative way and it seemed so natural and showed how he was like everyone else and can do things other people can.
For me some of the photos were a little off on the kindle format which was disappointing but when the photos did come through correctly I did find the artwork was really well done and definitely helped to picture the characters as a result.
I am definitely going to be picking up the second book.
Having one of the main characters in a wheelchair was so nice to read especially as it didn't effect him in a negative way and it seemed so natural and showed how he was like everyone else and can do things other people can.
For me some of the photos were a little off on the kindle format which was disappointing but when the photos did come through correctly I did find the artwork was really well done and definitely helped to picture the characters as a result.
I am definitely going to be picking up the second book.
January 2, 2023
George uploaded a video clip of his friend Charlie Parker singing, and she began her singing career. Touring takes Charley and George to Europe, and they have a London concert and a USA tour planned. George films Charley’s performances and manages her social media presence. No marketing managers, direct links with fans via social media.
Sam, Charley’s mother’s cousin and ex-rocker, manages the tours, but things don’t run smoothly. Artwork is stolen from the galleries and museums Charlie and George visit in their free time while on tour. It looks like Charley and George’s dream careers will come crashing down unless they can solve the mystery of the stolen art.
I enjoyed the pace and mix of singing and media careers and the mystery.
Recommended for readers aged eight years and above.
Sam, Charley’s mother’s cousin and ex-rocker, manages the tours, but things don’t run smoothly. Artwork is stolen from the galleries and museums Charlie and George visit in their free time while on tour. It looks like Charley and George’s dream careers will come crashing down unless they can solve the mystery of the stolen art.
I enjoyed the pace and mix of singing and media careers and the mystery.
Recommended for readers aged eight years and above.
January 26, 2022
'Rockstar Detectives' was so much fun to read. I read this book all in one sitting as I could not put it down and I was having so much fun reading it.
This is definitely a book aimed at a younger audience but I still found a lot of enjoyment in it and even found myself laughing a few times throughout. I liked that the characters developed a lot throughout the book, and I really loved the friendship between Charley and George and the overall message of the importance of friendship.
This is a book I would really recommend children reading as it was so much fun and I can imagine that it's a lot of fun for a child to read and try and guess who the 'bad guy' of the book is.
This is definitely a book aimed at a younger audience but I still found a lot of enjoyment in it and even found myself laughing a few times throughout. I liked that the characters developed a lot throughout the book, and I really loved the friendship between Charley and George and the overall message of the importance of friendship.
This is a book I would really recommend children reading as it was so much fun and I can imagine that it's a lot of fun for a child to read and try and guess who the 'bad guy' of the book is.
August 5, 2022
3,5 stars!
It's actually a fun read, combining social media trend, TikTok celebrity, traveling around Europe, and of course, mysteries!
I also like the representation in this book, one of the main character, George, using a wheelchair, but the writing normalizes this without reducing the importance of his perspectives on disability, etc.
Some of the humor and jokes are a bit too juvenile for a middle grade/early YA book though, even though a few of them (and overall) the story is still fun.
It's actually a fun read, combining social media trend, TikTok celebrity, traveling around Europe, and of course, mysteries!
I also like the representation in this book, one of the main character, George, using a wheelchair, but the writing normalizes this without reducing the importance of his perspectives on disability, etc.
Some of the humor and jokes are a bit too juvenile for a middle grade/early YA book though, even though a few of them (and overall) the story is still fun.
February 9, 2025
Rockstar detectives was a good, clean, kid's book. It was a real page turner as I couldnt wait to see who the culprit was. It's set in today's time, so social media and technology is prominent.
My only complaint was a few instances of poor language.
"Amster'damn' that was fun."
And multiple uses of "OMG"
Another note is close to the end one of the MC says "thank the weather gods" which might be a turn off for some families.
Overall it was clean with zero romance which is refreshing in kid's books.
My only complaint was a few instances of poor language.
"Amster'damn' that was fun."
And multiple uses of "OMG"
Another note is close to the end one of the MC says "thank the weather gods" which might be a turn off for some families.
Overall it was clean with zero romance which is refreshing in kid's books.
December 21, 2021
A lovely story that has a good moral basis, the a children’s crime novel! What’s not to love? The thing I loved the most was the way disability was not just tagged on, there was some exploration of it and cross over in history to the romans! Adam Hill’s is a man who is so talented and I didn’t expect such a good book from him! I really hope he writes another one as it’ll make such a difference to so many children
February 1, 2022
Sophie has been a fan of Australian comedian Adam Hills since she watched him hosting the UK’s paralympic coverage in 2012. When she learned that he had written his first middle-grade novel, Rockstar Detectives, while in quarantine, she knew she had to pick it up.
Twelve-year-old Charley Parker is a newly minted rockstar and a viral sensation out on her first tour across Europe where she is performing regularly to hundreds of young fans. Also in tow is her best friend and videographer George whose video of Charley singing at their London school sparked her rise to stardom. However, after Charley’s show in Amsterdam, the pair find themselves interviewed by a local detective investigating the theft of a painting at the Van Gogh Museum—a painting that Charley and George both admired that very afternoon as part of an assignment set by their teacher.
Shaking off the strange coincidence, Charley and George head to their next show in Rome, but when yet another artifact is stolen the night after they were seen admiring it, rumors start to spread. Now Charley and George are under serious suspicion from the police and their fans are starting to have doubts too. It’s up to Charley and George to solve the crime before the tour is canceled and they find themselves behind bars, but who is behind the thefts, and why are they doing it?
This was a fun, fast-paced story with a refreshingly diverse pair of protagonists. Sophie doesn’t think she has ever read a novel starring a character who uses a wheelchair (and even if she has, there clearly aren’t nearly enough such books) and loved seeing the world through George’s perspective because, as he puts it, he, “sees the world on a different level to everyone else.” George’s goal to become a comedian is also something Sophie doesn’t recall ever reading before which gave the writing a very unique—and funny—style.
While the story itself was a fairly typical middle-grade mystery (both Sophie and her husband had figured out “whodunnit” well before reaching the halfway point) the characters, interesting settings like the Colosseum in Rome and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, and other unique elements like Charley’s viral fame and George’s comedy ambitions all work together to make this a great debut that young readers will love.
Twelve-year-old Charley Parker is a newly minted rockstar and a viral sensation out on her first tour across Europe where she is performing regularly to hundreds of young fans. Also in tow is her best friend and videographer George whose video of Charley singing at their London school sparked her rise to stardom. However, after Charley’s show in Amsterdam, the pair find themselves interviewed by a local detective investigating the theft of a painting at the Van Gogh Museum—a painting that Charley and George both admired that very afternoon as part of an assignment set by their teacher.
Shaking off the strange coincidence, Charley and George head to their next show in Rome, but when yet another artifact is stolen the night after they were seen admiring it, rumors start to spread. Now Charley and George are under serious suspicion from the police and their fans are starting to have doubts too. It’s up to Charley and George to solve the crime before the tour is canceled and they find themselves behind bars, but who is behind the thefts, and why are they doing it?
This was a fun, fast-paced story with a refreshingly diverse pair of protagonists. Sophie doesn’t think she has ever read a novel starring a character who uses a wheelchair (and even if she has, there clearly aren’t nearly enough such books) and loved seeing the world through George’s perspective because, as he puts it, he, “sees the world on a different level to everyone else.” George’s goal to become a comedian is also something Sophie doesn’t recall ever reading before which gave the writing a very unique—and funny—style.
While the story itself was a fairly typical middle-grade mystery (both Sophie and her husband had figured out “whodunnit” well before reaching the halfway point) the characters, interesting settings like the Colosseum in Rome and the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, and other unique elements like Charley’s viral fame and George’s comedy ambitions all work together to make this a great debut that young readers will love.
January 30, 2022
This book really was everything I could have hoped for and more, and I urge you to pick it up for yourself of someone in your life. Especially if they enjoy fast paced adventure stories filled with mystery, lovable characters and a bit of history sneaked in their in places.
The characters are lovable and show such great representation that kids need to see. They show great friendship and work together as a team. They have their own goals and aspirations and are actively working towards them in a great way.
I loved the illustrations and I think the cover design is perfect for the book itself. The storyline and pacing are also great so really I can't help but love it.
The characters are lovable and show such great representation that kids need to see. They show great friendship and work together as a team. They have their own goals and aspirations and are actively working towards them in a great way.
I loved the illustrations and I think the cover design is perfect for the book itself. The storyline and pacing are also great so really I can't help but love it.
April 27, 2022
I love Adam Hills’ work, so when I saw he’d written a novel, I had to read it!
I read this to my 5-year-old daughter who liked it as well.
There were issues with the police investigation procedures, but this was explained at the end (mostly), plus it IS a kids’ book, so the truth is stretched for entertainment rather than correctness.
The book wasn’t as funny as I thought/hoped it’d be, but it was still enjoyable.
I read this to my 5-year-old daughter who liked it as well.
There were issues with the police investigation procedures, but this was explained at the end (mostly), plus it IS a kids’ book, so the truth is stretched for entertainment rather than correctness.
The book wasn’t as funny as I thought/hoped it’d be, but it was still enjoyable.
January 19, 2025
This was an absolute delight! I didn’t set out to fully read this book - I bought it for a child in my life and wanted to see what it was like before I gave it away, then I got sucked into the story and had to see it through to the end! Great main characters, fantastic disability representation, a good mystery and a fun story. The stakes didn’t quite feel real to me at times, which is why I didn’t give it a full 5 stars, but I had a great experience and highly recommend! 4.5 stars.
May 30, 2025
I really really liked it it’s a really fun book and my age recommendation is probably 10 to 12 or even younger or older I really liked how it has some illustrations in the book and how it’s fast paced the plot twist was insane but you have to read it to know what happened im planning on going to get the 2 other books in the series so stay tuned for that review
March 16, 2022
Rockstar Detectives featured a brilliant mystery, two very funny and relatable protagonists and excellent themes! This was a great book that I enjoyed reading and I would definitely recommend it!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc!
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc!
April 29, 2022
I really enjoyed this, the characters were great and definitely my favourite part. The story was good though you definitely had to suspend disbelief at times. Overall though I had a fab time reading it.
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August 11, 2022Fun crime novel for kids, if they liked Friday Barnes they'll probably enjoy this. You can tell Adam Hills cares about diversity and inclusiveness, his MC duo of Charley & George show that. It's a fun time.
November 1, 2022
🐇I loved this in everyway possible this follows two children one has a disability that means he has to use a wheelchair. Charlie is a singer and George is a stand up comedian. When sent on a world tour they descover themselves the prime suspects in the crimes that seem to be following them around. Charlie and George have no choice than to investigate the crimes themselves.I absolutley loved the disability representation in this i thought it was very well written and would be perfect for any child that feels like they dont fit in.
July 22, 2023
Whenever a crime comes up I am always on the edge of my seat wanting to know what is going to happen next and then when it tells me what happens next I still want to know what is going to keep happening. So this is a great and interesting book
January 13, 2024
This book made me excited to read. I love the way the author made it so hard to find out who the criminal in the book is and at the end it was someone COMPLETELY different from who I thought it was. There are so many twists and turns. This was one of my favorite books.
5 stars from me.
5 stars from me.
February 2, 2024
Fun, kids detective story which trundles along nicely. Pretty far fetched but that’s ok. Nothing wrong with it, funny in places and definitely sweet but it felt very familiar and therefore I don’t think it’ll be particularly memorable.
March 15, 2022
I enjoyed this book very much. I loved the ending. The fact that their Principal did it was a big shock. I didn’t like how they kept changing the suspects although it made it more suspenseful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2022
I only have three words……
BEST
BOOK
EVER!
BEST
BOOK
EVER!
April 27, 2022
Bedtime story book. We both loved this book and I was told to give it 5 stars and to recommend it to anyone who likes Rock stars or Detectives.
July 16, 2022
Rockstar Detectives is a fun light-hearted mystery, that will make adults laugh and captivate the younger audience it's intended for with it's plot and characters.
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