This pack is designed to encourage students to read and respond to Murder Most Unladylike – the first in a series of mystery novels by author Robin Stevens. It offers opportunities for students to engage in creative writing, research, group discussion and drama.
Each activity builds on the previous one. This allows students to explore the characters, themes and historical setting of the novel (the 1930s). At the same time they can compile their own casebooks to record important information and clues.
By completing the activities, students will be learning about the key elements of a good murder mystery. They can then put this into practice through imaginative drama and their own creative writing.
The culmination of the project is a 1930s-inspired party. Students will celebrate their learning and enjoy some cakes, biscuits and other treats like the ones at Deepdean School for Girls!
Skills to develop
- Creative writing and composition
- Group discussion, including listening and responding constructively
- Identifying and discussing themes and conventions
- Drawing inferences and motives from a character’s actions
- Discussing and evaluating how authors use language
- Providing reasoned justifications for views
- Performing own dramas and compositions
What is Murder Mosy Unladylike about?
When Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong set up their very own secret detective agency at Deepdean School for Girls, they struggle to find any truly exciting mysteries to investigate. (Unless you count the case of Lavinia’s missing tie. Which they don’t.)
Then Hazel discovers the Science Mistress, Miss Bell, lying dead in the Gym. She assumes it was a terrible accident – but when she and Daisy return five minutes later, the body has disappeared.
Now Hazel and Daisy not only have a murder to solve: they have to prove one happened in the first place.
Determined to get to the bottom of the crime before the killer strikes again (and before the police can get there first, naturally), Hazel and Daisy must hunt for evidence, spy on their suspects and use all the cunning and intuition they can muster. But will they succeed? And can their friendship stand the test?
For more information, visit robin-stevens.co.uk (@redbreastedbird) or penguin.co.uk/puffin (@puffinbooks).
