Mariella Mystery is a nine-year-old who has decided she is a detective, and nothing about the way she approaches her cases suggests she has any doubt about it. She keeps detailed case journals, complete with suspect profiles, clue lists, and tips for aspiring investigators, and she throws herself at every mystery in her town with more enthusiasm than caution.
Kate Pankhurst writes Mariella as funny and distinctive, someone whose voice carries the books as much as the mysteries do. The cases themselves are gentle enough for younger readers, covering ghostly guinea pigs, suspicious bake-offs, and disappearing neighbors, but Mariella treats each one with the seriousness of a seasoned professional.
Reading Order#
See the complete Mariella Mystery reading order for all books in the series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mariella Mystery?
Mariella Mystery is a nine-year-old girl who considers herself a top detective. She keeps a case journal where she records clues, suspects, and detective tips, and she approaches every mystery with cheerful confidence and a refusal to give up until the case is closed.
What order should I read the Mariella Mystery books?
Start with Mariella Mystery Investigates the Ghostly Guinea Pig (2013) and continue in publication order through to The Mystic Mustache (2016). Each book has its own self-contained case, but Mariella’s character and detective skills develop across the eight books.
What age group is the Mariella Mystery series aimed at?
The books are written for children roughly seven to nine years old. They are illustrated chapter books with short chapters, black-and-white doodles, and a journal format that makes them accessible for newly independent readers who enjoy humor and puzzles.