PEPPER'S RULES FOR SECRET SLEUTHING

A giant mansion is perfect for an amateur sleuth’s investigations, especially when its owner has recently died under possibly suspicious circumstances.

Fresh out of sixth grade, Pepper Blouse travels with her dad to deceased Great-Aunt Florence’s mansion to stay while they wait to learn the official cause of death and contents of the will. Pepper immediately becomes suspicious of her paternal Aunt Wendy, who is also at the mansion. With a mysterious landscaper, a sneaky tutor, and an owl-obsessed neighbor added to the mix, Pepper is sure something foul is afoot. Luckily, she has her mom’s Detective Rulebook to guide her as well as help from her new friend, Jacob Buckley, a trans boy who lives nearby. While the mystery of a possible murder is the driving force of the story, themes of dealing with loss and living one’s truth are strongly woven throughout. Pepper’s mom, a cop, died over five years ago, and sleuthing is how Pepper maintains their connection. Meanwhile, she’s dealing with the personal mystery of what it means that she had a crush on a girl at school. Jacob worries that when his little sister is born, he’ll be replaced by the daughter his parents always wanted. Though some elements pertaining to the mystery occur too conveniently, the overall story is exciting and fast-paced. Main characters are assumed White.

A fun debut that is notable for its thematic depth and queer characters.