"This thrilling middle grade novel of detection invites readers to crack an unsolved murder case through deciphering a box full of clues."
June 2026 Book of the Month
Death at the Museum, Janice Hallett’s second A Box Full of Murders mystery, sees super-smart siblings Ava and Luke work to make sense of a box of documents relating to a school museum trip that ended in murder. As in the first book in the series, Hallett prefaces the novel with an enticing address (“This book is for you, because you know the power of adventure”), immediately drawing readers into a pacey, twisty story of detection that challenges readers to figure out whodunnit before the protagonists: “Read this stack of documents from the past.
Within the pages, between the lines, are all the clues you need to solve it. Can you?”
As for the documents, they include excellently-designed letters, school workbook notes, maps, museum records, transcripts of calls to the emergency services, and more, from 1983, framed in the bigger narrative context of messages between Ava and Luke.
Alongside coming highly recommended for fans of Robin Stevens and readers who love adventure stories rooted in real life, Death at the Museum will also appeal to 8+year-olds who love solving puzzles and leans towards non-fiction.
The second children's murder mystery from number-one-bestselling author of The Appeal, Janice Hallett, perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Rhian Tracey.
| Suitable For: | |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
the best books for 9-12 year olds · the best books for teenagers
A Box Full of Murders is even more exciting and funny than the first book. Recommended to anyone who likes mysteries with a twist.
Death at the Museum is a very intriguing and exciting second book of The Box Full of Murders series. It is about Ava and Luke, who start a new case that happened on a school trip to a museum.
The Box Full of Murders series has a unique way of being written but I think it’s cool and quirky. It’s set up so we can solve the mystery too if we can, (I couldn’t: it was a very tricky case). I also like how some people from the previous book, the campers, were in the story. It helps the story move on.
My favourite part was when Charles Dickens, and Marie Curie are walking around the Natural History Museum, and no one is really paying attention. My favourite character has to be Luke.... Read Full Review
I loved this and couldn't put it down until I had solved the mystery
This is a unique and cleverly written book- one which I have not read before. Written in the style of text messages and paper files, the story about two young children with boxes in their attic, which contain secret files about a long-ago murder, takes you along on a crime-solving mission.
This story grabbed my attention straight away because of all the chaos that school kids made (some got stuck on a whale, others left in a museum!).... Read Full Review
A class trip that ends in murder… A daring heist… A strange connection… And dormant lies awoken.
Have you ever wondered what lies within the cobwebbed walls of your loft? If the spiders are messengers from the past? Perhaps the ubiquitous dust carries fragments of the past…
Follow Luke and Ava Hunter as they embark on an unforgettable journey in this spectacular sequel to A Box Full Of Murders.
In 1983, a series of strange events happen, centred around the natural history museum. Exhibits moving with no explanation, treasure, awakened explorers, and a dead body. It is up to you to read between the lines and decipher what happened in times gone by… and perhaps deliver justice. Can you solve the murder before history repeats itself?
This book took me on a thrilling rollercoaster ride through an exquisite case.... Read Full Review
The second children's murder mystery from number-one-bestselling author of The Appeal, Janice Hallett, perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Rhian Tracey.Imagine an old museum with more secrets than anyone could ever guess. A school trip that ends in murder.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Death at the Museum and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
Death at the Museum features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Books of the Month, Books Reviewed by our Reader Review Panels, Recommendations, Adventure Stories, Crime & Mystery, Stories about Family and Friends, School Stories, Activity and Puzzle Books, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Interactive adventure stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Hobbies, quizzes, toys and games, Children’s / Teenage: General interest
Paperback. £8.09, down from the £8.99 cover price. In Stock.
Death at the Museum was written by Janice Hallett and published by Puffin an imprint of Penguin Random House Children's UK
Death at the Museum has 471 pages
Yes it is part of A Box Full of Murders series
£8.09, reduced from £8.99. In Stock.
