Published 20th November 2025 by Orenda Books.
From the cover of the book:
Tippy Chan is eleven years old, and she lives in a small town in a very quiet part of New Zealand – the town her Uncle Pike escaped as a teenager, the moment he got a chance. Now Pike is back with his new boyfriend Devon to look after Tippy while her mum is on a Christmas cruise.
Tippy can’t get enough of her uncle's old Nancy Drew books. She wants to be Nancy and is desperate to solve a real mystery. So, when her teacher's body is found beside Riverstone's only traffic light, it looks like Tippy's moment has arrived. She and her minders form The Nancys, a secret detective club.
But what starts as a bonding and sightseeing adventure quickly morphs into something far more dangerous. A wrongful arrest, a close call with the murderer, and an intervention from Tippy's mum all conspire against The Nancys. But regardless of their own safety, and despite the constant distraction of questionable fashion choices in the town that style forgot, The Nancys know only they can stop the killer from striking again. Whatever the cost…
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Eleven year old Tippy Chan lives in a small town in rural New Zealand, where nothing much happens - unless you count the recent death of her father. When her mum wins a Christmas cruise, Tippy's Uncle Pike steps in to look after her while his sister is away, bringing his flamboyant boyfriend, Devon, along to see the home town he escaped from as a teenager.
Pike and Devon are unconventional childminders, to say the least, even if their hearts are in the right place. When Tippy's teacher is found murdered, Pike and Tippy decide to emulate their literary heroine, Nancy Drew, to see if they can crack the case. Devon comes too, of course, and the sleuthing trio dub themselves The Nancys. But what begins as a bit of a lark, soon becomes a dangerous game...
In a hilarious twist on the Nancy Drew mysteries, this small town detective tale unfurls through eleven-year-old Tippy's narrative. McDonald does a fantastic job making her voice authentic for an innocent young girl trying to make sense of the world around her, while dealing with the grief she feels over the death of her father. The chaotic arrival of Pike and Devon, with their decidedly un-politically correct banter, sparks mayhem, and their outrageous shenanigans lead Tippy into perilous places. But fortunately, Tippy is not your average pre-teen - she has the sound advice of Nancy Drew to guide her!
This is a highly entertaining crime novel, packed to the gills with mystery, clever twists, and more suspects that you can poke a bedazzling, Devon-styled stick at. Amidst all the whip-smart lines, fast-paced tension, and gritty situations, there is plenty to pluck the heartstrings too, as themes of family, friendship, and dealing with loss are handled beautifully. Have the tissues handy, because the tender moments will have you sobbing into your Tim Tams. I suspect you will need them to wipe away tears of mirth too, as the laughs come thick and fast.
It is easy to see why this book was the winner of the Ngaio Marsh Best First Novel, because it positively effervesces with nostalgia, style, wit, ridiculous characters, slapstick comedy, and a cracking good plot. Do not make the mistake of thinking this book is for a young audience though, even though it is a love letter to the Nancy Drew mysteries - the language used is definitely for adult eyes only!
This was such fun. I cannot wait for more adventures from The Nancys.
The Nancys and the Case of the Missing Necklace is available to buy now in paperback and ebook formats. You can support indie publishing by choosing to buy direct from Orenda Books HERE.
About the author:
(Rob) is an award-winning Kiwi author, living in Melbourne, Australia with his two daughters and one HarryCat.
Author of the award-winning Nancys series, The Nancys and Nancy Business, Rob is also a creative writing tutor and host of QWS Podcast.
Rob now writes picture books by day and whodunit mysteries by night — except all his characters seem to be completely out of control and pay no attention to him, or any rules.
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