The Secret Key: Book 1 (Agatha Oddly)

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This really happened – he was – but without evidence I had to drop my investigation. Plus, Dad grounded me. Considering this was the debut book of Lena Jones, I can't emphasize enough how impressed I was and how excitedly I'm waiting to read on in the series, as well as the future works of the author. Written from her point of view, I enjoy seeing what's inside her mind, wondering what it's like to be a very smart girl and it's so fun! The adventures and little things that she wants to explore are so refreshing.

The Secret Key follows the ambition of Agatha Oddly; a thirteen year old girl who loves solving mysteries; she has even started her own Detective Agency with her best friend, Liam – but her big break comes when she sees an old woman run down by a biker – and find a tattoo of a key on her arm. Soon London discovers that their water supply has been contaminated and that sets her, and she brings along her best friend, Liam, on her adventure. Every so often I change up my reading and read a middle grade book. Almost every time I realise how amazing they are and vow to read more. Never has the case been more true than with Agatha Oddly. This book isn't even released yet and I already want the next one! The Secret Key is the very first novel in a brand new series by Lena Jones revolving around the adventures of Agatha Oddlow, a thirteen-year-old girl who's addicted to crime novels and wishes nothing more than to become a detective. And, she kind of is, already! In a cottage next to Hyde Park. Agatha lives with her Dad ( Rufus), who’s been a Royal Park warden since he left school at sixteen. He’s worked his way up to the position of head warden of Hyde Park. They live in Groundskeeper’s Cottage. This is the twelfth –” the headmaster glances up from his notes –“no, let me correct that – the thirteenth time you’ve been in trouble this term, Agatha.”Jeder Mensch ist ein Rätsel, Agatha. Jeder da draußen auf der Straße hat eine eigene Geschichte, eigene Gründe dafür, warum er so ist, wie er ist, eigene Geheimnisse. Das sind die wirklich wichtigen Rätsel. Agatha? I wasn’t expecting you today...?’ Her Caribbean accent is slightly stronger when she’s surprised– it’s the only ‘tell’ she has– the only clue to her real emotions. I shake my head. Even though Dad’s in charge at the park, he refuses to let others do all the dirty work and is never happier than when he’s got his sleeves rolled up and is getting his hands dirty. That girl knows what she wants and is not afraid to take it. That girl is confident, good-hearted and absolutely the sweetest. I wish I was not afraid to take risks as she did. She thought me not to care about others opinions and put my chin up and take my world into my own hands. My heart was crying for her and her story but she's strong and I know she will be ok. Agatha is my new hero. With her, I could solve any problem out there... An exceptionally-written novel, which kept you the readers in agony about what is going to happen next, how Agatha is going to get past each obstacle and what is really going on behind the scenes.

First of all, mystery has always been something that I love and I was so eager to read this series. A 13 year old detective, named after my favorite mystery's author, Agatha Christie? Never going to miss that. Your headmaster has already been talking for twenty-two minutes.” Poirot raises an eyebrow, as though daring me to do something about it. “He might break his record of twenty-seven, no?”This is a series that I will definitely recommend every one who is a fan of Nancy Drew, Famous Five & Hardy Boys; a middle grade fiction that is the start to a wonderful new series! Please don’t interrupt. What I was about to say was that, despite your youth and relative inexperience, it has been suggested to me that you might be able to help out with a case I’ve received. We’re short of available agents at the moment.’ Please, please don’t say I’ve ruined it by whining like a spoilt brat...

Solving mysteries! Together, Agatha and her best friend Liam Lau have set up the Oddlow Agency (no ‘detective’ in the title, to avoid annoying the headmaster). Everybody is a puzzle, Agatha. Everyone in the street has their own story, their own reasons for being the way they are, their own secrets. Those are the really important puzzles.’ Doctor Hargrave (Ronald Hargrave, BPhil MEd OBE) likes to fill silences. He’s very good at that, and it’s best to wait until he’s done. He isn’t a doctor, as you and I think of them, but he likes to be called one. He has five liver spots in the shape of the constellation Cassiopeia on his forehead, and a steely glare which I would say is a 4B on the eye colour chart I have hanging in my bedroom. Agatha Oddlow löst für ihr Leben gerne Rätsel. Zusammen mit ihrem besten Freund hat sie sogar eine eigene Detektei gegründet. Nur leider bleiben die Fälle aus. Das liegt vielleicht daran, dass ihr Umfeld sie für seltsam hält – ODDLY eben. Nur ihr Vater vergöttert sie. Ihre Mutter kam bei einem tragischen Unfall ums Leben, den selbst Agatha nie aufklären konnte.A member of staff has been stabbed to death shortly after closing time this evening at the British Museum. Police have yet to release the name of the staff member, who is believed to have disturbed an intruder. A museum exhibit is said to be missing from a display case. The Secret Key, the first in a new series, reminded me exactly of that feeling – it was a nostalgic moment to be reminded of the reason why I fell in love with reading in the first place! Disclaimer: A Physical Copy was provided via Harper Collins India in exchange for an honest review. The Thoughts, opinions & feelings expressed in the review are therefore, my own. I especially didn’t like how the main character Agatha had a ‘I’m not like other girls’ attitude which is something I really despise and I hate this trope in books. To have this shown in a middle grade book is just even more frustrating as it’s so harmful. This puts girl/women down and pits them against each other. It also perpetuates the notion that because some girls like to wear make up or enjoying shopping and doing their hair etc... they’re less than. What’s wrong with liking these things? Thinking ‘I’m not like other girls’ is associating the qualities you hate with girls/women.