Aggie Morton, Mystery Queen - Book One: The Body Under the Piano

What if Agatha Christie had actually solved some crimes when she was only twelve years old?  What if her penchant for writing stemmed from the fact that she had been instrumental in solving murders when she was but an early teenager?  Author Marthe Jocelyn answers that question in this new series, "Aggie Morton, Mystery Queen."  As the tagline on the cover of the book reads, "Inspired by the real-life Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie," it's a murder mystery that features not one, but two budding sleuths - Aggie Morton and Hector Perot (gee, can you guess where those names came from?).

The Body Under the Piano introduces readers to young Aggie, an almost-teen who lives with her widowed mother and grandmother in the town of Torquay in the year 1902.  Aggie has a fascination with death, which, of course, worries both her mother ("Mummy") and grandmother ("Grannie Jane").  Aggie has even started a pet cemetery in the back of the garden, where she has carefully buried her pets that have died, giving each one a gravestone.  But, they needn't worry.  Aggie's fascination with death is what actually helps her solve the crime even the police can't seem to get right - the murder of Irma Eversham - a cantankerous old woman who also happens to be the bitter old sister of Aggie's dance teacher.  And Aggie happens to be the one who discovers the body.  In the dance classroom.  Under the piano (hence, the title of the book).

Jocelyn has a great, whimsical way with her characters, breathing such unique, individual life into each and every one of them that you, the reader, can't help but love them all.  Even the annoying Florence Fusswell and Lavinia Paine (and yes, clearly the names are somewhat representative of the characters' personalities).  But it's the fast-forming friendship of Aggie and her cohort in the crime-solving business, Hector Perot, that really warms the heart.  Hector is an immigrant, having been sent by his parents from Belgium to England.  While many are not as welcoming to the immigrants, Aggie has an immediate kinship with the boy and appreciates his analytical way of seeing things and thinking things through.  The two compliment one another nicely and make a fabulous detective duo!

As far as the mystery goes, Irma Eversham was a woman that no one liked.  She was unkind to her sister, controlling of her daughter, and wholly unfriendly to everyone she meets. So, no one is really saddened by her death.  I mean, sure, her sister Marianne and her daughter Rose are distraught over the fact that Mrs. Eversham was murdered - but for Roderick Fusswell, it could mean he might marry into riches if he can convince Rose to marry him ... for Rose Eversham, it could mean freedom at least from her mother's controlling nature ... for Augustus Fibbley, it could mean the story of a lifetime ... for Marianne Eversham, it could mean she inherits a fortune ... and for Aggie and Hector, it could mean the chance to show all of these stuffy adults that they are quite capable of solving a murder!

Whodunnit?  It's a classic Agatha Christie-style murder mystery with plenty of suspects, plenty of motives, and plenty of secrets.  Aggie's governess, Charlotte Graves, has a difficult time keeping Aggie out of the investigation, as do the Morton's groundskeeper, Leonard Cable, and the local Constable, Beck, who continually warns Aggie to stay out of it.  But she can see that the police have absolutely no clue as to what is really going on, and when they arrest the wrong person, Aggie knows she has to prove that person innocent.  Of course, it becomes all the more complicated when she discovers a blackmailer's message has been hidden inside her notebook.  It's a definite race against time for Aggie and Hector to catch a ruthless killer before he ... or she! ... strikes again!

This book was truly a wonderful read.  The characters are extremely likable (love Grannie Jane!), and the story is perfectly paced.  I definitely can't wait for Aggie and Hector's next mystery!

RATING:  10 woolly red cardigans out of 10 for introducing the world to a wonderful new young sleuth who I hope has many more mysteries to solve in the coming years!