"Imaginative, funny and full of surprising twists"

The Beanstalk Murder

A giant-sized whodunnit with a witchy twist

Published August 2024 | Formats: Hardback (US only), paperback, special edition Waterstones paperback (UK only) e-book, audiobook

The Beanstalk Wars have been over for 100 years and peace has reigned between the human and giant worlds – until a dead giant falls from the sky onto the human village of Old Stump.

When trainee witch Anwen helps to examine the body, she discovers proof that it wasn’t the fall that killed him – a giant murderer is on the loose! Tasked with sending a message to the giant kingdom via beanstalk, Anwen and her nemesis, trainee sorceress Cerys, accidentally find themselves whipped up into the sky and deposited in the giants’ royal palace. There they discover that the dead giant was none other than the king – well-loved as a music star amongst his people, but not by the palace staff who worked for him…

Using their perfect spy-size and witchy skills, the girls must track down his killer – but how can you investigate a murder mystery when you risk being stepped on by your suspects?

The UK cover of The Beanstalk Murder. The title appears in red text over the image of a giant beanstalk, twisting up to the sky from rolling countryside far below. Forests and cottages are visible around it. The beanstalk partly obscures the body of a giant wearing 18th century gentleman's attire. Hanging from the beanstalk are two young girls, roughly 12 years of age. The one on the left is blonde and wears a blue dress. The one on the right has black hair and wears a yellow dress.

Praise for The Beanstalk Murder

“A funny, ingenious story… packed full of unexpected twists and turns.”

The i Paper

“An intensely readable, Gulliver-flavoured fairytale whodunnit.”

The Guardian

“A murder mystery like no other — Bell’s magic and humour offer a zany spin on fairy tales retold for the modern age.”

The Irish Examiner

“A sparkling story with a perfect blend of magic and mystery.”

Emily Graham - Booklist

“Two giant thumbs up from me! Stacked with spells, suspects and side-splitting moments.”

Siobhan McDermott - author of Paper Dragons

“An irresistible blend of fairytale and murder mystery.”

Waterstones

“Imaginative, funny and full of surprising twists.”

The Bookseller - "Editor's Choice"

“A wholly new twist on a classic tale.”

Kirkus Reviews

“A unique whodunnit with more twists than an old beanstalk. Truly genius! I LOVED it.”

Sibéal Pounder - bestselling author of Wonka

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