Author: R.W.R McDonaldModern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945)Published on 20 November 2025 by Orenda Books in the United Kingdom.Paperback | 320 pages197 x 130 x 23 | 228g Eleven-year-old Tippy’s uncle and his boyfriend turn up in her small New Zealand town to look after her when his mother is away over Christmas, but when her schoolteacher is found dead and her best friend has a near-fatal accident, the trio turns detective, dubbing themselves The Nancys, and launching a chaotic, hilarious investigation.‘Heartfelt and hilarious, this mystery is packed with vivid, beautifully written characters … highly recommended’ A.J. West‘Wonderful … A book of great heart, humour and originality. I loved it’ Chris Hammer‘A wonderfully smart, funny, intriguing and joyously camp mystery. I loved it!’ William Hussey'Entertaining and satisfying, with a cast of characters I loved and genuinely cared about … unsettling, captivating and uplifting'Vanda Symon*** WINNER of the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best First Novel***Meet the Nancys…Tippy Chan is eleven years old, and she lives in a small town in a very quiet part of New Zealand – the town her Uncle Pike escaped as a teenager, the moment he got a chance. Now Pike is back with his new boyfriend Devon to look after Tippy while her mum is on a Christmas cruise.Tippy can’t get enough of her uncle's old Nancy Drew books. She wants to be Nancy and is desperate to solve a real mystery. So, when her teacher's body is found beside Riverstone's only traffic light, it looks like Tippy's moment has arrived. She and her minders form The Nancys, a secret detective club.But what starts as a bonding and sightseeing adventure quickly morphs into something far more dangerous. A wrongful arrest, a close call with the murderer, and an intervention from Tippy's mum all conspire against The Nancys. But regardless of their own safety, and despite the constant distraction of questionable fashion choices in the town that style forgot, The Nancys know only they can stop the killer from striking again. Whatever the cost…Gripping, glorious and glittering with suspense, The Nancy’s is also a heartwarming, hilarious novel for anyone who’s ever felt like they were on the outside, looking in, with a simmering mystery at its heart and characters you will never forget.A hilarious, and heartfelt twist on Nancy Drew – with murder, mayhem and makeovers in small-town New Zealand.––––––––––– ‘A heartfelt, wryly funny mystery packed with memorable characters and deft dialogue. An utter delight from start to finish … hugely recommended!’ D.V. Bishop‘Charming and very funny … filled with love and humour, even in the face of danger’ Sydney Morning Herald‘A celebration of what's important in life – family, friendship, and also: makeovers’ Katherine Collette‘Funny and flamboyant, but with real weight (and a dead body) at its centre. Fun, refreshing and surprisingly poignant' Anna Downes‘Delightful and exuberant … an enthralling mystery via bewitchingly chaotic events and characters who are a riot’ New Zealand Listener ‘A giddy, entertaining romp’ New Zealand HeraldWhat readers are saying…‘Reminded me of Jennie Godfrey’s The List of Suspicious Things … with glitter!’‘Heart-wrenching but also laugh-out-loud funny – a triumph!’‘Please tell me there’s a sequel!’‘Alternately wiping away tears, laughing hysterically and holding my breath’‘I loved these characters – so real and believable’‘The best mystery I’ve read this year’
