Millie of the Manor: A Graphic Novel

by Karina Evans, Andrea Bell

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

As an avid reader of Sherlock Holmes, Amy was made for murder-mystery parties. Or was she? With mindful depictions of social anxiety and the inspiring interventions of caring friends, this is as much a mystery to solve along the way as it is an ode to mental health care.

Clue meets The Baby-Sitters Club in this heartwarming middle grade graphic novel perfect for fans of Kayla Miller and Terri Libenson.

Amy has always loved a good mystery.

So when her classmate Reagan invites her to a murder-mystery-themed birthday party, she should be ecstatic. But…she’s not. Instead, she’s worried that her social anxiety will mess everything up. Thankfully, all the guests are given characters to play for the night, so Amy doesn’t have to go to Reagan’s party as herself—she’ll go as “Millie Morgan,” a scientist looking to solve the murder and clear her name.

With newfound confidence as Millie, she must work with the other partygoers to solve the crime. But when evidence piles up and clues begin to incriminate her alter ego, Amy’s anxiety comes rushing back. With the help of her new friends, Amy must learn to navigate her own anxiety as Millie works to solve the mystery and prove her innocence.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063282483
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	09/02/2025
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 5.40(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Karina Evans is the author of Grow Up, Tahlia Wilkins! and Audrey Covington Breaks the Rules. She studied English at the University of Delaware before starting a career in the entertainment industry. Some of Karina’s favorite things include: See’s Candies, The Amazing Race, singing show tunes in the car, and volleyball. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her two mischievous cats, Sir Pounce and Taika.

Andrea Bell is an illustrator and comic artist who grew up playing in the northern woods of Wisconsin. Her memories of adventure, nature, and adolescent independence are reflected throughout her work. Andrea is the artist behind The Leak, the Diary of a 5th Grade Outlaw trilogy, and Crumble. She currently resides in Chicago, Illinois, where she enjoys long walks, baking, and curating dance playlists.

Editorial Reviews

2025-05-30
A game night provides an avenue for pushing past social anxiety.

Amy would much prefer to be nose-deep in a good detective novel than socializing with her peers. Although she and her therapist work on strategies to help her calm down in panic-inducing situations and to step out of her comfort zone, things like class presentations send her spiraling. So she’s surprised when classmate Reagan invites her to a murder mystery–themed birthday party with three other schoolmates. As the game begins, Amy finds freedom in the detective work and in her assigned character, scientist Millie Morgan (“If I mess up or act weird, it can just be part of Millie’s storyline,” she reasons). As the group looks for clues, Amy speaks up and finds herself leading the investigation. Though the experience isn’t without its challenges, it’s ultimately positive and rings true, and Evans realistically conveys Amy’s anxiety symptoms. And readers will have a blast solving the mystery. Reminiscent of Raina Telgemeier’s or Remy Lai’s work, Bell’s cartoon illustrations establish the mood effectively. The costumes, palette, and setting fluctuate; when the game’s on, Amy and the other girls resemble their characters and seem to truly be exploring an old-timey manor. Panel backgrounds turn gray when Amy’s thoughts become overwhelming. The party guests are a sympathetic bunch and easily accept Amy’s sharing of her diagnosis. Amy has pale skin and black hair; the other kids vary in skin tone.

Both an enticing mystery and a satisfying emotional journey.(Graphic mystery. 8-13)

Kirkus Reviews

Both an enticing mystery and a satisfying emotional journey.  — Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher