Roll up! Roll up! The Shortbread Family Circus is in town! Introducing the first tale in The Big Top Mysteries, an exciting new series from Alexander McCall Smith and illustrator Sam Usher.

Billy, Fern and Joe Shortbread are the stars of their family circus, but they also have another talent ... they're experts at solving mysteries! When their circus moves into a new town they soon make friends with a young boy named Tom. But Tom can't enjoy the circus because his granny has disappeared and he's worried he'll never see her again. With the help of their astonishing circus skills can the Shortbread circus stars crack the clues and find Tom's granny? A brilliant McCall Smith adventure story, brimming with wit, wisdom and larger than life characters.

Roll up! Roll up! The Shortbread Family Circus is in town! Introducing the first tale in The Big Top Mysteries, an exciting new series from Alexander McCall Smith and illustrator Sam Usher.

About the Author

Alexander McCall Smith is one of the world's most prolific and popular authors. He has won numerous awards for his writing, including the British Book Award's Author of the Year and a CBE for services to literature. His titles include The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency and 44 Scotland Street series.
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Sam Usher spent most of his childhood reading, drawing and forgetting to do school work. He still likes to spend his time playing around with ink, watercolour and washing-up liquid. If the opportunity arises, he loves to make a mess! Sam's first book - Can You See Sassoon? - was longlisted for the Greenaway Medal.

Reviews

"An exciting and enjoyable read, pitched just right for those who are starting to access books independently" - Roaring Reads, Blog

"A fast paced adventure that will definitely entertain and keep the interest of early chapter readers and reluctant readers too ... The Greatest Showman meets Scooby Doo" - Book-Bound, Blog

"Brimming with McCall Smith's trademark wit, wisdom and larger-than-life characters, this is an exhilarating and clever story for youngsters as well as a fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse into the realities of being part of a circus family" - Lancashire Evening Post

"A lovely story and as ever filled with the all-embracing sense of kindness and integrity that is characteristic of McCall Smith's writing" - LoveReading4Kids

"Has all the hallmarks of a great new series ... Great characters and an exciting story combine to make an enjoyable and compelling read, with drawings by Sam Usher to enhance enjoyment and understanding" - Parents in Touch

Book Information
ISBN 9781781128572
Author Alexander McCall Smith
Format Paperback
Page Count 128
Imprint Barrington Stoke Ltd
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Weight(grams) 120g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 130mm * 12mm