Will Shakespeare Mysteries: The Stinky Stolen Toenails
Loki meets Horrible Histories in Stratford-upon-Avon starring history’s favourite genius, a young Will Shakespeare.
Will Shakespeare knows he’s destined to be a genius at something, and he thinks that thing is becoming the greatest person-who-solves-crimes in the world.
Trouble is, he’s part of a boring family living in Stratford-upon-Avon, possibly the most boring town in England. But, when the famous (for Stratford-upon-Avon) Moundsofgoo Treasure* goes missing, he might finally have a crime to solve. (*the treasure is an old bag of Henry VIII’s stinky toenails that everyone believes hold healing powers.)
If he can find the Treasure, Ronaldo Moundsofgoo will be able to marry Judy Catapult. If he can’t, the wedding won’t take place. Can Will (and best friend Tybalt, but mostly Will) battle sulky squires, wily wool-cleaners and unscrupulous alchemists to reclaim the Treasure and prove that Will is definitely more brilliant than his annoyingly sporty and well-behaved younger brother? Oh, and give Judy and Ronaldo their happy ending, too?
Hilariously illustrated throughout by debut talent, Sammy Elgie.
'Fizzes with mischief and wit!’ Clare Harlow, Author of the Tidemagic series
Creators
Kaz Penney is the co-author of seven novels for young adults, including the House of Shadows and Throne of Swans duologies, which she wrote with her sister as Katharine Corr. The Will Shakespeare, Boy Genius series is her middle grade debut. Kaz loves Jane Austen, cosy crime and all things mythological and mysterious, and lives in Surrey with her husband, daughters and cats.
Sammy Elgie is a self-taught British illustrator. After a brief time at Central Saint Martins, she took a 20-year break from drawing. It wasn’t until she became a mum and rediscovered the magic of children’s books that she picked up her pencil again, determined to pursue her lifelong dream of illustrating for young readers.
Her debut as a children’s book illustrator, The Will Shakespeare Mysteries, marks the beginning of that dream becoming reality, and she couldn’t be more excited.
Sammy lives with her son in a slightly wonky top-floor flat in south-west London. Nestled in the heart of 'Nappy Valley', she finds endless inspiration in the everyday magic of childhood around her, from kids skipping to school with fluffy/scruffy (sometimes muddy) dogs in tow, to joyful reunions at the school gates and the wild energy of playgrounds in full swing.
Reviews
A fast-paced, fun, and fantastically illustrated trip to Shakespeare’s England, complete with a merrie old mystery, a missing pie, and a problem privy! A riotous, rib-tickling read
Sinéad O’Hart
