Simon & Schuster Children’s Books swoops for Sherlock Holmes-inspired mystery
Simon & Schuster (S&S) Children’s Books has acquired The Murderous Chronicles of Fenella Banks, a Sherlock Holmes-inspired boarding-school detective series by debut author Charlotte Moore, writing as Violet C Doyle.
Ruth Bennett, fiction publisher, acquired world rights excluding North America for three books from Claire Wilson at Rogers, Coleridge & White. US rights have been sold to Janine O’Malley at FSG (Macmillan) by Peter Knapp at Park, Fine & Brower Literary Management on behalf of Wilson, with further international deals currently ongoing.
The series will be published in collaboration with the Conan Doyle Estate, with the first title due to launch in paperback in early 2028. Each book is inspired by a Sherlock Holmes story, reimagined for a younger audience through the character of Fenella Banks.
The synopsis says: “Perfect for readers of Lemony Snicket and Murder Most Unladylike the series follows Fenella Banks, who, after the untimely (and obviously suspicious) death of her mother, becomes obsessed with the pursuit of justice. On the brink of expulsion from the prestigious St Catherine’s School for Girls, Fenella Banks is known for two things: her brilliance and her complete disregard for rules. So, when a teacher’s death in an abandoned classroom is put down to natural causes, Fenella disagrees. She calls it murder.
“Armed with an uncanny eye for detail and a complete lack of concern for authority, she recruits new girl, Maeve, to the investigation. Together they delve into secret societies, unwieldy archives and uncrackable codes. And as the girls get closer to the truth, they risk exposing secrets far more dangerous than they anticipated.
“But with a suspicious detective on her back, a headteacher trying to shut down the case, and her own brother – an actual spy – watching her every move, can they unravel the truth before Fenella becomes a mystery herself?”
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Bennett said: “Fenella Banks is one of the most distinctive characters I’ve had the pleasure of meeting in years. This is a fiendishly puzzling murder-mystery series that is also sharply witty and fun, with an unforgettable voice. Readers will love the combination of an exceptional female detective and her indefatigable sidekick Maeve, and I can’t wait for them to pick up the challenge of solving the mystery as they read. We’re excited to be working with Charlotte and the Conan Doyle Estate to make this an unmissable launch of a bold new series for the Simon & Schuster Children’s list.”
Moore said: “I’m ridiculously excited to be working with Simon & Schuster Children’s Books. As a huge fan of the Holmes canon, I hope I can introduce a new generation of readers to these stories and pay homage to Arthur Conan Doyle’s incredible legacy.”
A spokesperson for the Conan Doyle Estate said: “The character of Sherlock Holmes has been beloved by readers, young and old, for almost 140 years. This latest incarnation, in the singular and brilliant form of Fenella Banks, is a wonderful tribute to Arthur Conan Doyle’s original and we are delighted to be working with Charlotte Moore and S&S Children’s to introduce both characters to a new generation of readers.”
Moore currently leads events for Simply Books, an independent bookshop in Manchester. She previously worked as a copywriter across brands including Penguin Random House and Rebellion Publishing. This is her debut novel.
