Common Sense Media Review
By Lucinda Dyer
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fun and fast-paced prequel to popular mystery series.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
KILL JOY begins with an invitation. Pip Fitz-Amobi and her friends have been invited to celebrate the 74th birthday of Reginald Remy at his private island off the coast of Scotland. The island is actually the home of her friend Connor Reynolds, and the celebration will be a murder mystery party. Each of the teens is given an identity for the party and asked to dress the part in 1920s costume. Pip will be Celia Bourne, Reginald's orphaned niece who works as a governess. Ant Lowe is Robert "Bobby" Remy, Reginald's eldest son. Zach Chen is Ralph, the youngest son and Lauren Gibson will play Ralph's wife, Lizzie. Connor is Humphrey Todd, the butler and Cara Wara is Dora Key, the cook. It's not long after they arrive that they discover Reginald has been stabbed to death. Enter Connor's older brother Jaime as Scotland Yard Inspector Howard Whey, who's arrived to lead the investigation into the murder. As the group searches for clues to the murder in the Billiard Room and Library and exchange and disprove alibis, secrets are also revealed: Who's a thief, who's a spy, who has a gambling addiction, and who's been written out of the will?
Is It Any Good?
This short prequel should delight fans of the series and offer new readers a quick introduction to the series hero, teen sleuth Pip Fitz-Amobi. The sheer number of characters, alibis, and plot twists in Kill Joy could make it tough for some readers to keep track of who's doing what to whom and why.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the murder mystery party in the one in Kill Joy. How would you stage such a party? Do you think it would be fun?
Why is perseverance something every good detective needs?
Pip says that solving murders might not be that different from doing homework. Do you agree? In what way are they similar?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Mystery
- Topics : Friendship , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Delacorte Press
- Publication date : February 28, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 208
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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