After listening to Premeditated Myrtle, I've come to the conclusion that I'm either too old for the cutesy mysteries or I've reached the point when the things I didn't notice when I was younger stand out. Myrtle is an interesting character, one I think mid grade kids will like, and the setting gives them a bit of historical fiction - something I'm betting that age group doesn't see much of. The good guys are all good and kind and obviously good while the bad guys are... well, bad. They're a bit 2 dimensional, which was disappointing. Myrtle is a child, and I get that the author needed to show her as such, but Myrtle's footnotes grated on my nerves, especially when they happened so frequently. The narrator does a good job with Myrtle and her mystery, and the way she reads it, I think the kiddos will enjoy the listen.

This middle grade mystery is the first book in a new series featuring Myrtle Hardcastle, a scientifically minded twelve-year-old young lady of quality growing up in Victorian England.

Myrtle has a delightfully morbid interest in solving crimes and plans to become a professional investigator when she grows up. In the meantime, she hones her skills by spying on the neighbors. One day, Myrtle makes a series of suspicious observations and calls in the police. When the police arrive, the discover the body of Miss Wodehouse, the owner of Redgraves. After several clues point to foul play, Myrtle makes it her mission to prove that Miss Wodehouse’s death was, in fact, murder.

The book is written in the first person and includes fun footnotes sprinkled throughout the text. Each chapter also opens with an except from “The Principles of Detection” by one H.M. Hardcastle.

The audiobook is narrated by Bethan Rose Young. She did a great job conveying Myrtle’s youth, enthusiasm, and sense of humor.

I don’t read a lot of audiobooks, but something about the sample of Premeditated Myrtle made me give it a go, and I’m so glad I did – this is a great middle grade mystery with a really fun heroine!

Content warnings: Murder investigation; discussions of poisoning, violence, natural death; discussion of flesh decomposition; death of parent (in past, but grief discussed). 

Myrtle Hardcastle’s father is a Court Prosecutor, and she longs for nothing more than to follow him into the study and practice of law. Sadly for her, though, she’s a twelve year old girl in Victorian times, so it’s hardly an acceptable life goal – but that’s not going to stop Myrtle! When her next door neighbour, the eccentric lily-breeding spinster Miss Wodehouse, is found dead, Myrtle is sure there’s foul play involved, even if the authorities don’t believe her, so she sets out to solve the murder and find out what really happened on that night. What follows is an engrossing adventure of a mystery, with a strong and smart heroine you can’t help but love. 

The story is told in the first person, and Myrtle’s narrative voice is brilliant, full of dry humour and irrepressible enthusiasm. She’s full of pluck, and committed to learning everything she can, and you end up dragged along with her energy – part of this was the excellent narration, but I also think this would be a delight to read on paper as it strikes the perfect balance between historical accuracy and modern ease. While Myrtle was easily my favourite character (and one I think will be beloved by younger readers for her no-nonsense attitude), I also loved her governess, Miss Judson – capable and witty, she’s a combination of mother figure and best friend to Myrtle, and their warm relationship really made me smile. They’re a great investigating team! Myrtle’s father, too, is a loving parent, even if he is slightly baffled by how his daughter has grown up so similar to him – so often kids’ books happen despite the adults in the story, but I really liked how strong and supportive the adults around Myrtle were. Plus, every book is better with a cat, and the late Miss Wodehouse’s pet Peony makes plenty of appearance – and the narrator’s interpretation of her ‘meow’s was wonderful and funny!

The mystery itself is twisty and fun, and kept me guessing. I really liked Myrtle’s investigations for their practicality and the contemporary science they included – for example, there’s some discussion of the brand new techniques for fingerprint identification, which I found very entertaining. There are several footnotes throughout the book where Myrtle explains legal or medical concepts that might be outside the knowledge of the reader, and these are well-explained in her fun voice. At times it gets a little bit too red-herring-y, with a bit of obvious misdirection, but I am coming at it with years of mystery reading under my belt so a younger reader might not notice this, and it certainly didn’t take away from the joy of it. 

I had a great time with this book, and Myrtle is exactly the kind of heroine I’d want kids to read about – she’s practical, funny, and has a great sense of justice. I think this would be great for those who are looking for something a bit more youthful than Sherlock Holmes (I was obsessively into them aged 11, but they are a bit archaic), or perfect for fans of the Murder Most Unladylike series who would be interested in something historical. Although they aren’t supernatural, it also gave me the same kind of vibes as Gail Carriger’s Finishing School books, with a smart Victorian girl making use of her unconventional knowledge with great flair. I’m really looking forward to the next book, How To Get Away With Myrtle! Five out of five cats.

This audiobook was delightful! 

Did you ever start an audiobook, just to have to pause it, look up the narrator (Bethan Rose Young), and find out what else she's read (not much, surprisingly!) so you can add them all to your wish list? Yeah, this was one of those.

Elizabeth Bunce's writing is incredible: funny, witty, and beautiful by turns. The best compliment I can give the audiobook version is that the author and narrator did each other justice. One of my favorite listens of 2020.

The following is a review clipped from a full Christmas book review list found at: https://www.wataugademocrat.com/mountaintimes/columns/in-print-for-the-holidays-16-titles-for-your-christmas-book-giving/article_4a7cd0e8-e064-5b9f-8533-d00322223382.html

This review covers both the print and the astounding narrated books:

‘Premeditated Myrtle (Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery 1) and ‘How to Get Away with Myrtle’ (Myrtle Hardcastle Mystery 2) (Algonquin Young Readers) by Elizabeth C. Bunce

Talk about your likable heroines. Well, actually, there will be much talk about Myrtle Hardcastle as the 12-year-old sleuth in Elizabeth C. Bunce’s new series moves beyond her first two adventures and into children’s libraries and imaginations.

Bounce is a veteran YA author with a bold and irresistible bookplate on her homepage: “Elizabeth C. Bunce, maker of fantastical, mysterious and ghostly stories for young readers (& discerning adults).” Now really, who could resist a build-up such as that?

But more, it’s earned and justified. Bunce has crafted here a saucy tween investigator who much prefers the rules guiding toxicology reports than those for “Young Ladies of Quality” that her governess, and widowed barrister father, would promote.

Yes, the books are of this charming era even if Myrtle, and truth be told, the governess Miss Judd, are of a more advanced society than the times they are born into. That is, a pre-teen girl is completely capable of solving a death under “Mysterious Circumstances,” even when no one but her recognizes it is a murder, as she does in “Premeditated Myrtle.” Or, of an entirely different murder involving a priceless tiara, a derailed private railway coach and a reluctant Scotland Yard, as in “How to Get Away with Myrtle.”

Although it is likely that some discerning adults will find the e-book version of these titles creep into their reader — adults don’t really read YA, do they? — there is much to be said for the tactile sensation of reading a print book that complements the period of the story, especially those as durable as these from Algonquin (https://www.algonquinyoungreaders.com/).

But, for another sensation, the audiobooks of these titles could be argued for. The London-based narrator Bethan Rose Young does a wonderful job of voicing not only Myrtle, but the entire cast, including Peony — the cat. Young trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and her voice work here and on other platforms such as BBC Radio 4 and Netflix show she learned her lessons well.

Myrtle Hardcastle. I am ever-so-fond of this highly opinionated girl. The twelve-year-old daughter of a British barrister is an observant young woman with a keen interest in solving mysteries. Some may call her nosy. She considers herself a serious sleuth. Myrtle maintains a collection of crime-detecting tools and has authored her own guidebook for investigators.
Written in first person, all evidence is presented from her point of view. Myrtle directly addresses her audience as Dear Reader, breaking the fourth wall.
Set in the Victorian Era, when Young Ladies of Quality spent their days hosting tea parties and posing in floral tableaus, our heroine most emphatically does not fit in.
Under the care of her doting yet slightly distracted father and her governess Miss Ada Judson of French Guiana, a woman of intelligence and decorum, Myrtle relentlessly pursues her interest in mysteries. Miss Judson is sometimes a co-conspirator with her young charge.
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There is a not-too-subtle undercurrent of mutual attraction between the two adults.  Myrtle hopes to bring these two together and desperately fends off attention toward her father from any other woman. 
But enough of that. On to the mystery. From the moment the tale commences, Myrtle suspects that something nefarious is going on at the home of her neighbor Miss Wodehouse. She is missing. So is Myrtle's cat Peony. Could the two disappearances be connected? Myrtle is determined to find out. Soon she is convinced that Miss Wodehouse was murdered and sets out to discover the method and motive for this woman's demise.
There are enough clues to hint at the mystery's outcome. Warning: Read carefully. Following a red herring may result in arriving at a false conclusion. The trail of clues places Myrtle in some unusual situations: finding evidence in a locked police surgeon's lab, searching the neighbor's bathroom, and causing a greenhouse explosion.
Bunce skillfully contrasts rigid Victorian mores with a girl and her governess who refuse to be confined to society's strictures. The governess is adroit at retaining the appearance of propriety while circumventing prevailing conventions. Initially the plot progresses slowly, clue by clue.  Soon the pace picks up with increasing intensity and builds to a tension-filled climax. 
Adventure awaits! Put on your deerstalker cap, grab a notebook, and some laboratory testing equipment. Premeditated Myrtle is a delightful middle grade murder mystery worth tracking down at your local bookstore or library .  
Joyful news! Myrtle's detective work continues. Look for How to Get Away with Myrtle.

This was such a pleasant surprise read. I wasn't expecting the tone and wit from that book cover. I am always looking for middle grades that have kid sleuths and this did not disappoint. I will definitely be reading the sequel and this has motivated me more to get to reading the Enola Holmes series.

Myrtle was brilliant! She reminded me a lot of Trixie Belden, a series with a young, female sleuth as the protagonist that I read in my youth, except Myrtle is British. Perhaps, it would be safe to say that Myrtle will be the next Nancy Drew?

Myrtle lives with her father, her governess, and Cook. Her mother has passed away due to cancer. The story is set in the late 1800s. Myrtle is truly brilliant and was able to deduce that something was wrong at the neighbor's house when things did not play out like normal one morning. She takes it upon herself to contact the police. She realizes her neighbor was murdered well before the police do, so she takes on the case to prove, first that her neighbor was murdered and then who did it. She has help from her governess and the cat, Peony.

I found the book to be delightful! It wasn't hard to solve, but might be a bit more challenging if I was in the target demographic. I believe kids 8 years old and older will quite enjoy this cozy mystery.

The narrator was pleasant to listen to and did a good job in distinguishing the voices.

I look forward to more books in this series.

I was able to listen to the book, Premeditated Myrtle, thanks to Recorded Books and Netgalley.

Premeditated Myrtle, written by Elizabeth C. Bunce and narrated by Bethan Rose Young, is a middle grade historical mystery. Twelve-year-old Myrtle Hardcastle has a passion for justice and a Highly Unconventional obsession with criminal science. Armed with her father’s law books and her mum’s microscope, Myrtle studies toxicology, keeps abreast of the latest developments in crime scene analysis, and observes her neighbors in the quiet village of Swinburne, England. When her next-door neighbor, a wealthy spinster and eccentric breeder of rare flowers, dies under Mysterious Circumstances, Myrtle seizes her chance. With her unflappable governess, Miss Ada Judson, by her side, Myrtle takes it upon herself to prove Miss Wodehouse was murdered and find the killer, even if nobody else believes her — not even her father, the town prosecutor. 

Premeditated Myrtle is an engaging mystery set in Victorian England. Myrtle is a very smart, observant girl with perhaps more curiosity than is necessarily good for her.  To be honest, there were a couple moments in the first chapter when I thought this might be the second book rather than the first in the series, but I was soon completely immersed in the story. I liked that Myrtle and Miss Judson were among the smartest characters in the book, but also quite aware of how others thought of them because of their gender, age, and so on. They often used those expectations to their advantage even while being annoyed by them. I thought the mystery was well done, and while I expected one of the twists fairly early on, the way the story unfolded had me doubting myself a bit until the full reveal. I really enjoyed the journey and that there were surprised I was not expecting kept me on my toes through out the majority of the book. I enjoyed the characters and am very interested to see where they all go from here. I really enjoyed that the author included information and resources about historic forensic science in the back matter. Guidance for further exploration- particularly for younger readers- always makes me happy.

Premeditated Myrtle is a charming and entertaining series starter. I am looking forward to seeing what Myrtle and her family get up to next.

The first book in a new series for middle graders, I'd recommend the reader be 10 or older or this could be a shared experience between family members.  

Myrtle is 12, but only her size says "I'm 12".  She has definite goals for herself and is encouraged by the adults surrounding her.  Her interests seem to confuse her peers, who respond through bullying, but Myrtle wins them over in the end.

The audiobook was a joy to listen to.  It was reviewed by a group of middle schoolers who all gave it a thumbs up then asked to listen again.  That alone says a lot about the quality of the narration and the skills if the author.

My children really enjoyed this book and we will be looking for more from this author in the future. The audiobook was exceptionally well done.

I have a new heroine to add to my list of favorite fictional females. I simply love Myrtle Hardcastle with all her pluck and gumption. Myrtle is a 12 year old girl living in Victorian England. She is well versed in what lies within her father's law books and under her mother's microscope. She cares more about science and discovery than frilly dresses and tea. Her governess, Miss Judson, hopes to steer her into adulthood with all the tools the ladies of the day require, while also fostering her intellect and curiosity.

When Myrtle observes some suspicious activity next door that leads to the discovery that her elderly neighbor, Miss Wodehouse is dead, she convinced that it is murder. Even though no one believes her and her theories, she is determined to gather all the necessary evidence to crack the case.

Myrtle is the ultimate combination of well mannered and willing to bend the rules. Her dialogue with herself and the other characters is sharp and witty while never being unkind. Aiming to find truth, Myrtle has to deal with some difficult realities along the way. But she always comes around to handling them with logic and grace.

Bethan Rose Young's narration is excellent and she deserves some kind of award for voicing Peony the Cat and her various exclamations. I also loved how the footnotes from Myrtle about different items were put into the story with the perfect inflection.

Premeditated Myrtle is the first book in a new mystery book series for Middle Grades that takes you back to the Victorian Time. There have been several series for younger readers lately introducing young sleuths and this is one that I hope continues as Myrtle Hardcastle is a great character. Her father is a Court Prosecutor, and she follows her father's cases closely. Her mother had been trained as a doctor, but is deceased. She loves to read Police reports, and studies toxicology as well as crime scene analysis. She is very observant and notices even small things as well as having a wonderful power of deduction. Her problem is that she is a "Proper Lady". How is she supposed to adhere to the Rules of Etiquette and have the freedom to run around town solving crimes? Luckily for her, she has the help of her governess, Miss Judson. She is also fortunate that so many people seem to trust and believe in her skills.

The mystery is centered around the murder of her next-door-neighbor, an elderly woman obsessed with flowers. It is deemed a heart attack, but Myrtle knows there is more to the death of this seemingly healthy woman. There are a few suspects, some red herrings, not-so-helpful police, and a false confession. I have to say I loved the neighbour's cat, who knew everything, but only communicates with Myrtle via meows. The character development in this book was wonderful. I feel that I am getting to know these characters well. The final reveal and showdown was exceptional and had me on the edge of my seat. Overall, a well-developed mystery, with great characters and plot. This is geared to MG readers but I enjoyed it as an adult and recommend this as a great shared read between parents/grandparents and their children.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Bethan Rose Young. She does a wonderful job with the voices and expression. Her accents were right on and her younger voice was perfect for Myrtle

Oof, <em>Premediated Myrtle</em> by Elizabeth C. Bunce had all the makings of an exciting and fun girl mystery story...but it seriously suffered from the <em>'not like other girls' </em>syndrome. And honestly, I'm kind of torn on how I feel about it. I think this could have been a really fun book that I would have loved to add to my repertoire of mystery books for young girls. But, at the same time, I'm just quite disappointed in it?

<b>It's Nothing New</b>

This story, overall, really doesn't add much to the young girl mystery solver type novels. I feel like it kind of filled a template complete with misdirection fueled by the main character's personal dislikes, a kidnapping, and even a betrayal. In its own way, this book just seemed to be checking all the boxes that you've come to expect from these kinds of books. Myrtle Hardcastle has a lawyer father and is thoroughly invested in solving criminal mysteries.

She's your typical not like other girls trope and spends the vast majority of the novel being annoying and intrusive. And, naturally, she does an excellent job of solving the mystery with the occasional assistance of the adults (and animals) around her. And, frankly, I have to say...these adults are far to indulgent for this girl.

<b>Twelve-Year-Old Indulgiencies</b>

Alright, so I didn't hate the book.

I just don't think there's anything about it that really stands out. At all. It reads just like nearly any other mystery novel for young girls. And, sure, if this is your favorite genre then Myrtle will probably exist as the not bad character that might make your top ten, but is more likely a top twenty depending on how many you read.

At best, the book is mediocre. And that's if I completely ignore the fact that they pushed the not like other girls trope incredibly hard. It's made even worse by the fact that Myrtle doesn't really seem to have <em>any</em> friends at all. The other girls are awful to her when she's pushed to hang out with them instead of turning to pursuits she actually cares for. And there's only two other kids, leaving her to work through her deductions with the help of the adults.

And I just...felt thoroughly let down by this.

I just...why didn't this girl have any friends?

<b>Solving the Case</b>

Okay, so the end of the novel...sucked. It was thoroughly predictable, much to my dismay. And the thing is, the only piece of the book that I thought was unique was the way the novel began each chapter with a quote from H. M. Hardcastle's book.

I had a brief moment in which I mistook this book for Myrtle's herself, imagining that they were excerpts from a book she was writing presently. Turns out it was from a book written by an ancestor of hers, which just made the whole thing rather disappointing. But, at least it was cute?

<b>A Voice</b>

So,  I listened to an audiobook version of this book. Therefore, I'll concede that the narration was actually pretty impressive. I really enjoyed the voice they chose for Myrtle, even if the character herself was rather annoying at times. She's British, aligning with Myrtle herself. And she did an excellent job bringing literally every character to life.

Aside from the narration, though, it was generally hard to care about the characters. I wasn't really intrigued by the mystery, either. The red herrings were plentiful and all of them unlikely enough that it wasn't really all too difficult to figure out the real culprit. Granted, I'm an adult so I'll admit that this is likely less obvious to younger readers.

But, there you have it, really. The book is just...average.

<em>I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</em>

I was given a free review copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was so good! Myrtle is such a great character. The story was interesting and immediately pulled me in. I cannot wait to read more in this series. I would recommend this book! The narration was also great!

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Myrtle and her adventure. Myrtle is sassy and smart and does not care that in the early 1900s and as a young lady of a means she is supposed to just worry about teas and embroidery. The secrets Myrtle uncovers around the death of her neighbor was perfect for the time the story was based and also believable that a child would be the one to solve it. Bunce did a fine job giving Myrtle just the right amount of family issues and sass while embroiling her in a murder mystery, which was entertaining while being a little educational and makes the book something I highly recommend.

Premeditated Myrtle is a great mystery book that manages to discuss big topics (such as death) while having an overall light feel to it. This is a great gateway for kids to enter the worlds of Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Peirot and Miss Marple. Myrtle is such a relatable little girl while simultaneously being a sleuthing prodigy.  The inner turmoil she faces throughout the story makes her very likable and believable. Overall, Premeditated Myrtle is simply a fun read for anyone interested in the mystery genre.  You can check out our full review at Down the Hobbit Hole Blog!

This was so much fun to read! The mystery has twists and turns and Myrtle is so smart and funny. She's already on her way to being a great detective, but she's still young and sometimes blurts out things she shouldn't and can be a bit dramatic. Myrtle is relatable and her relationship with her governess and mentor is perfectly written. It seems that in middle grade mysteries, the adults usually dismiss the kids, but Miss Judson is Myrtle's partner in crime and encourages her to hone her skills.

The mystery was crazy and I kept thinking I knew what happened and then suddenly the plot would take a turn. It kept me engaged and thinking and was well paced. I definitely hope Miss Judson and Myrtle's dad end up together, she would be a great step mother. I also look forward to seeing Myrtle grow and solve more cases!

I highly recommend this if you're looking for an entertaining mystery that will keep you guessing. The audiobook has a great narrator that helps pull you into the story and get into Myrtle's head.

I received an audiobook copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Beth Ann Rose Young is a marvelous narrator! Her British accent was a listening pleasure. There was only one minor  character that I struggled to understand. The Scottish brogue was very heavy. That just made the narration feel true to the era and country. 

Myrtle is a precocious 12 year old who lives with her father and governess. Her upbringing has been unorthodox. She is fascinated by topics considered unsuitable for girlie her age during the 19th century.  When her neighbor dies, Myrtle suspects murder. With the help of her governess, she looks for clues using the Socratic method. Her relationships with her peers and adults are entertaining. 

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

"Premeditated Myrtle" falls neatly into the category of what I'm currently craving - historical fiction featuring a young female protagonist solving a mystery. I also like it when my protagonist is smart and snarky, and Myrtle is both. 

Another thing that I appreciate about this book is that adults aren't all lumped into the category of "never believing a child". In fact, some adults prove to be her staunchest allies, and I enjoyed her companionship with them. 

This is a series I plan to continue reading. I'm glad that there was a little hint of what is to come at the end of this book. 

As for the audio version, it was well done. The narrator holds the perfect tone for Myrtle, and she conveys her biting remarks perfectly. 

As a teacher, I feel this book would lend itself well to a mystery unit, where you try to have the students solve the crime before Myrtle does. The clues are all there, you just have to look for them, and I think it'd be fun for the students to try.