Murdle Jr.: Sleuths on the Loose
Inspired by the global phenomenon of the Murdle puzzle books comes the first novel in a new thrilling mystery series, for fans of Mr. Lemoncello's Library and The Swifts.
 
It’s a cloudy day on the Sacred Kidney playground, but Jake likes it that way—dark and uncertain. For a junior detective like Jake, standing up to bad guys is a piece of cake. After all, she’s the only detective at Sacred Kidney Elementary with a hard-earned badge to her name. But just as Jake and her sidekick Sterling prepare to face off against the biggest bully in school, there’s a scream from inside the library.

The kids are sure they heard Miss Saffron cry out, but when they arrive at the scene of the crime, the library is how it’s always been: filled with books, but no Miss Saffron to be found! None of the adults still there after school are talking, but Jake, Sterling, and Brick the bully are determined to find out what happened. This unlikely trio pinky promises to solve…the crime at Sacred Kidney!

The second Murdle Jr. puzzle book Ready, Set, Solve! is a companion for this novel, with some Easter egg puzzles to solve between the pairing of books, for readers with the keenest of eyes!

SOLVE THE PUZZLES: 
Curious Crimes for Curious Minds 
Ready, Set, Solve!


READ THE MYSTERIES: 
Sleuths on the Loose
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Murdle Jr.: Sleuths on the Loose
Inspired by the global phenomenon of the Murdle puzzle books comes the first novel in a new thrilling mystery series, for fans of Mr. Lemoncello's Library and The Swifts.
 
It’s a cloudy day on the Sacred Kidney playground, but Jake likes it that way—dark and uncertain. For a junior detective like Jake, standing up to bad guys is a piece of cake. After all, she’s the only detective at Sacred Kidney Elementary with a hard-earned badge to her name. But just as Jake and her sidekick Sterling prepare to face off against the biggest bully in school, there’s a scream from inside the library.

The kids are sure they heard Miss Saffron cry out, but when they arrive at the scene of the crime, the library is how it’s always been: filled with books, but no Miss Saffron to be found! None of the adults still there after school are talking, but Jake, Sterling, and Brick the bully are determined to find out what happened. This unlikely trio pinky promises to solve…the crime at Sacred Kidney!

The second Murdle Jr. puzzle book Ready, Set, Solve! is a companion for this novel, with some Easter egg puzzles to solve between the pairing of books, for readers with the keenest of eyes!

SOLVE THE PUZZLES: 
Curious Crimes for Curious Minds 
Ready, Set, Solve!


READ THE MYSTERIES: 
Sleuths on the Loose
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Murdle Jr.: Sleuths on the Loose

Murdle Jr.: Sleuths on the Loose

Murdle Jr.: Sleuths on the Loose

Murdle Jr.: Sleuths on the Loose

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    Available for Pre-Order. This item will be released on May 27, 2025

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Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

Murdlers, sharpen your pencils and get ready to sleuth — there are even more puzzling problems to solve.

Inspired by the global phenomenon of the Murdle puzzle books comes the first novel in a new thrilling mystery series, for fans of Mr. Lemoncello's Library and The Swifts.
 
It’s a cloudy day on the Sacred Kidney playground, but Jake likes it that way—dark and uncertain. For a junior detective like Jake, standing up to bad guys is a piece of cake. After all, she’s the only detective at Sacred Kidney Elementary with a hard-earned badge to her name. But just as Jake and her sidekick Sterling prepare to face off against the biggest bully in school, there’s a scream from inside the library.

The kids are sure they heard Miss Saffron cry out, but when they arrive at the scene of the crime, the library is how it’s always been: filled with books, but no Miss Saffron to be found! None of the adults still there after school are talking, but Jake, Sterling, and Brick the bully are determined to find out what happened. This unlikely trio pinky promises to solve…the crime at Sacred Kidney!

The second Murdle Jr. puzzle book Ready, Set, Solve! is a companion for this novel, with some Easter egg puzzles to solve between the pairing of books, for readers with the keenest of eyes!

SOLVE THE PUZZLES: 
Curious Crimes for Curious Minds 
Ready, Set, Solve!


READ THE MYSTERIES: 
Sleuths on the Loose

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780316582254
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date: 05/27/2025
Series: Murdle Jr. Mysteries
Pages: 352
Product dimensions: 5.50(w) x 7.95(h) x (d)
Age Range: 8 - 12 Years

About the Author

About The Author
G. T. Karber grew up in a small town in Arkansas, the son of a judge and a civil rights attorney. As a lifelong mystery fan, he has organized more than forty immersive mysteries in Los Angeles.

Chris Grabenstein is the multiple award-winning, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Mr. Lemoncello's Library, Welcome to Wonderland, Haunted Mystery, Smartest Kid in the Universe, and Dog Squad series. He co-authored the acclaimed SHINE! with his wife J.J. Grabenstein as well as nearly three dozen fast-paced and funny page turners with James Patterson including the I Funny, Jacky Ha-Ha, Treasure Hunters, and Max Einstein series. He’s written Audible Originals, short stories, and stage plays. Chris, the current president of the Mystery Writers of America, and his wife J.J. still live in New York City with two cats and lots of ideas. You can visit him online at chrisgrabenstein.com and on Instagram and X @ChrisGrabenstein.

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