Saxby Smart: Private Detective
The Curse of the Ancient Mask and Other Case Files

My name is Saxby Smart and I'm a private detective. I go to St Egbert's School, my office is in the garden shed, and these are my case files.

In this book Saxby solves three of his most puzzling cases.
The Curse of the Ancient Mask – can a simple tourist souvenir really be causing bad luck?
The Mark of the Purple Homework – Saxby suspects all is not as it seems as competition entries are sabotaged.
The Clasp of Doom – Mrs Pither, who makes pitbulls seem friendly, is determined to blame her neice for a crime Saxby's sure she didn't commit.

In each story Saxby gives you, the reader, clues which help solve the mystery. Are you 'Smart' enough to find the answers?

'A great read…talk about feeling involved with a book, Shortish, sharp reads written in a lively, snappy style.’
The Liverpool Echo

‘If you have a boy who is losing enthusiasm for books, try tempting him with Saxby Smart.'
The Daily Mail

'A fun read made even more enjoyable by being able to turn detective yourself.'
Primary Times

Saxby Smart: Private Detective
The Fangs of the Dragon and Other Case Files

A string of break-ins where nothing is stolen, a rare comic book snatched from an undamaged safe, and clues apparently leading to a hidden treasure…

In this book, Saxby Smart – schoolboy private detective – solves three more of his challenging cases:
The Fangs of the Dragon – what's really behind all the local break-ins?
The Tomb of Death – Saxby is shocked to learn how obsessive fans can be.
The Treasure of Dead Man's Lane – an old riddle tests Saxby to the limit, and shows that some things are worth more than silver and gold.

In each story Saxby gives you clues which help solve the mystery. But are you 'Smart' enough to work out the answers?

Starred choice, Publishing News

Saxby Smart: Private Detective
The Pirate's Blood and Other Case Files

A string of break-ins where nothing is stolen, a rare comic book snatched from an undamaged safe, and clues apparently leading to a hidden treasure…

In this book, Saxby Smart – schoolboy private detective – solves three more of his challenging cases:
The Pirate's Blood – ghostly noises, a bloody handprint appearing one day and disappearing the next . . . is Saxby up against the ghost of a local pirate?
The Mystery of Mary Rogers – Mary Rogers is witnessed as setting fire to her own bookshop, but is on television at exactly the same time. How can a person be in two places at the same time?
The Lunchbox of Notre Dame – even a school trip to Paris gives Saxby no time off as a string of suspicious events occur . . .

In each story Saxby gives you clues which help solve the mystery. But are you 'Smart' enough to work out the answers?

Saxby Smart: Private Detective
The Hangman's Lair and Other Case Files

A terrifying visit to the hangman’s lair to recover stolen money, a serious
threat of blackmail, and a mystery surrounding a stranger’s unearthly powers.
In this fourth exciting book, Saxby Smart – schoolboy detective – gives you clues which help solve the mystery.

The Hangman's Lair – the school bully asks for Saxby's help outwitting a local gang, but dare Saxby go into the scary woods known as The Hangman's Lair?
Diary of Fear – While Saxby despairs that anyone would keep a personal diary for the very reason that someone might pinch it, he has to race against time to help a classmate figure out who took hers, before its explosive secrets are revealed.
Whispers From the Dead – Godfrey Frey, stage medium, claims he has contact with the dead, and predicts a dire future for Saxby. . . but what's really going on?

The Prince and the Snowgirl

Everyone thinks Tom Miller is very lucky. He’s got loads of friends, girls flock round him and he bears a close resemblance to royal heart-throb Prince George – so he can also make money as a look-alike.

But under the surface, Tom doesn't find life so easy. He desperately wants to ask Louise out, but can never quite do it. His best friend, Jack, seems troubled and Tom doesn’t know how to help. And he’s spending so much time pretending to be Prince George, that he’s worried he might be losing his own identity…

It takes a school skiing trip to Scotland and a chance encounter for Tom to really find out what it really means to be yourself, in this witty and insightful novel.

“Cheshire keeps the humor lively and perfectly tuned…funny and full of wonderfully eccentric characters and delicious irony. Spot on.”
KIRKUS REVIEW

Plastic Fantastic

This is the greatest day of my life – I’m stuck in a lift with Lisa Voyd!

Fifteen-year-old Dominic is mad about the pop group Plastic, and his obsession with the lead singer Lisa Voyd borders on compulsive. He is so blinded by his devotion, that he doesn’t realise his best friend Emma has feelings for him. It takes a bizarre encounter between Dominic and his pop idol to make him see both the reality behind the life of a star and Emma’s true feelings.

Praise for Plastic Fantastic:

“Anyone who’s ever had a crush on a pop star will sympathise with Dominic. A funny, flirty read.”
MIZZ

“A quirky, hilarious second novel from the highly praised author of Kissing Vanessa. A tightly written and fascinating exploration of fame and real life.”
PUBLISHING NEWS

Kissing Vanessa

She flashes me a smile.

‘Hi. Kevin, is it?’

I appear to stand without using any of the muscles in my legs. I try to speak, I try to tell her that she is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen, that I will ever see, that has ever existed in the world.

‘ Ye . . . Y . . . Ye-um.’ I may be dribbling.

So Kevin is smitten, but Vanessa certainly isn’t, and Kevin’s plan to win her over takes a tortuous route. Everything he tries seems to backfire, and his mate, Jack, who is full of wondrous tips on getting the girls, somehow makes things worse. Until one day…

Praise for Kissing Vanessa:

“Hilarious and totally unpredictable.”
PUBLISHING NEWS

“…will have you laughing so much your sides’ll hurt.”
MIZZ MAGAZINE

“The expertly written British humor here can easily appeal to American readers. Most YA comedies make you smile. This one makes you laugh out loud. It’s flat-out uproarious.”
KIRKUS REVIEWS