A Girl's Guide to Spying A Rose Patrol Mystery

It’s the early days of the First World War, when Phyllis and her younger sister join their local Girl Guides troupe, despite their parents’ worries that it’s not ladylike. Their favourite activities are working with their Rose Patrol as a team to solve clues and find the treasure, even if this sometimes means clashing with the other patrols. As the war takes more men away to fight, the Guides are asked for their help in the offices of MI5 and Phyllis is recruited as a messenger, carrying sometimes secret information around the hallowed offices and corridors of the government building. Unfortunately, she finds herself falling foul of the grumpy Major Warren on more than one occasion, witnessing his seemingly cruel actions to other ladies too, and when he goes missing, Phyllis is sure that there is more to it than meets the eye. Who was the mysterious person who rang to say the Major had suddenly gone on holiday? Why has he left his dog alone in his apartment and where is the precious notebook he never let out of his sight?

Working with her friends and fellow Guides, Phyllis is determined to uncover the real reason for Major Warren’s disappearance and sets out to investigate, even when it means putting herself in danger in pursuit of the truth.

This is a unique and thrilling adventure, full of twists and turns, set as it is within the historical background of war and suspicion, where everyone was looking for the spy in their midst. Each chapter begins with a quote from a mix of newspapers, government announcements, the Girl Guides Gazette and mostly The Handbook for Girl Guides written by Agnes and Robert Baden-Powell, the founders of the Girl Guide and Scout movements respectively. These words and opinions will seem strange and old-fashioned to today’s readers, but provide an important insight into the way the world was at this time, giving context to the actions and behaviour of the characters within the book. There is also a glossary at the end of the book to explain some of the guiding terms used.

Full of intrigue, dramatic chases, murder, Morse Code and spies, this first book in the series is a wonderful addition to the current popular crime and mystery genre, inspired by the true stories of the brave Girl Guides working undercover during the First World War.

Best-selling author Holly Webb is probably best known for her animal stories aimed at younger readers, so I was intrigued to read this latest middle grade title, especially with the link to my fondly remembered Girl Guiding days, and very much enjoyed this book, incorporating as it does the fun, friendship and adventures of the Guides, although my own experience was of course, much less dramatic and eventful!

Read our interview with Holly Webb.