About the Holiday

On this date in 1890, Agatha Christie was born in Torquay, Devon England. She began writing detective fiction while working as a nurse during World War 1 and published her first novel—The Mysterious Affair at Styles—in 1920. This novel introduced the world to the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, who went on to be featured in 25 novels and many short stories. Miss Jane Marple—an insightful spinster whose world view was limited to her own small town—appeared in 1930 in Murder at the Vicarage.

Agatha Christie also wrote plays, and her works have been adapted for the big screen as well as for multiple series on television and through streaming. Agatha Christie has delighted and influenced multiple generations of readers and continues to do so. Her books have sold more than 100 million copies and have been translated into 100 languages. She died on January 12, 1976 in Wallingford, Oxfordshire. To commemorate her life, read (or reread) one of her novels or watch a movie or show based on one of  Hercule Poirot’s or Miss Marple’s intriguing cases. It’s also a perfect time to introduce your kids to Agatha with today’s book! 

Thank you to Twirl Books and Barbara Fisch at Blue Slip Media for sending me a copy of this book for review.

The  Agatha Case Files: Welcome to Kittyville

Written by Paul Martin | Illustrated by Camille Roy

 

Do your kids love mysteries? Do they have “little gray cells” that can discern fact from well-disguised fiction, an eye for the telltale clue, and a natural desire to help those in distress? If so, they’ll want to join Agatha as her sidekick in solving the eight cases that make up the clever and challenging collection of mysteries in The Agatha Case Files: Welcome to Kittyville.

As Case 1: The Snatched Suitcase opens, Agatha has just departed the train at the Kittyville station “with a big dream: to become a detective.” No sooner has she stepped onto the platform when she notices Dr. Erica Poodle, a famous scientist, who’s been knocked to ground. Dr. Poodle tells Agatha that her suitcase containing the plans for her latest invention has been taken.

As Dr. Poodle reveals more about her suitcase, readers join Agatha as she investigates all the action at the train station and in the train still idling on the tracks. There’s so much for a detective to consider. There are the passengers lounging inside the train cars, those waiting outside on the platform, and even more coming and going inside the station. And then there are the painters on the roof and the workers in the station’s offices, cafe, ticket booth, and newsstand.

With her trusty binoculars, Agatha spies Dr. Poodle’s suitcase and a clue nearby. She asks her sidekick readers if they see them too. The clue whittles the number of suspects down to four. After interrogating them, Agatha turns over their statements, as well as the statement by the witness, to readers to think about. Agatha then provides three of her own insights into the case to help kids crack the case. If they need a bit more help, the solution to the case can be found in the back of the book.

The other seven mysteries that Agatha and readers investigate follow the same format: an introduction, three clues that help kids shrink the suspect pool to four, one witness statement, and finally three prompts to set kids in the right direction. These other cases take Agatha and kids to Dr. Erika Poodle’s lab, a newly inherited mansion, a museum of natural history, the Savings Bank, the Kittyville Elementary School carnival, a circus, and Agatha’s own house.

This well-conceived interactive book not only provides plenty of fun but is an excellent way to engage children in critical reading and thinking, help them develop keen observation skills, and assist in sharpening their reasoning abilities. 

Paul Martin presents each case in compelling high-stakes vignettes that will pique reader’s investigative interest and get their brains whirring as they scan the crime scenes. His straightforward and easy-to-understand descriptions and prompts allow all levels of detectives to solve the cases on their own or with a bit of assistance from an adult or older sibling.

Camille Roy fills her dynamic gatefold pages with an astonishing array of details that add humor and intrigue to every case. The panoramic images boast red herrings, humor, and tons of atmospheric elements that fully flesh out each environment. These enticing details also offer opportunities for extension fun, including creating homemade “I Spy” games, counting and sorting, drawing, and making up stories about the people, families, and groups populating each scene.

The  Agatha Case Files: Welcome to Kittyville is an ingenious book that will excite young sleuths and puzzle fans alike and would be a much-appreciated gift or addition to any home bookshelf or library collection. Add case-inspired snacks and each mystery would make for an entertaining family fun night too! 

Ages 5 and up

Twirl Books, 2025 | ISBN 979-1036381447

About the Author

A long-time editor of a children’s magazine, Paul Martin now writes novels, puzzle books, and graphic novels for children. He lives in Lille, France.

About the Illustrator

Camille Roy is an illustrator who lives in Paris, France.

Agatha Christie’s Birthday Activity

Elements of a Mystery Word Search Puzzle

 

Follow the clues to solve this mystery-related word search puzzle!

Elements of a Mystery Word Search Puzzle | Word Search Puzzle Answers

You can purchase The  Agatha Case Files: Welcome to Kittyville from these booksellers:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

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