"Will delight middle grade readers craving suspense, mystery, and puzzles. A page-turner packed with wisdom and heart." --Barbara Dee, author of Star-Crossed Nancy Drew meets...

"Will delight middle grade readers craving suspense, mystery, and puzzles. A page-turner packed with wisdom and heart." --Barbara Dee, author of Star-Crossed

Nancy Drew meets Harriet the Spy in this action-packed and heartfelt debut middle grade following an overzealous amateur sleuth as she investigates a shocking family secret--and unravels the mystery of her developing feelings for girls.

Rule One: Your loyalty is to the case.

Amateur detective Pepper Blouse has always held true to this rule, even if it meant pushing people away. But when the results of Pepper's latest case cost her any hope of the girl she likes returning her feelings, she decides that maybe she should lay low for a while.

That is, until her Great Aunt Florence passes away under mysterious circumstances. And even though her dad insists there's nothing to investigate, Pepper can't just ignore rule fourteen: Trust your gut.

But there's nothing in the rulebook that could've prepared her for the family secrets her investigation uncovers.

Maybe it's time to stop playing by the rules.

Author: Briana McDonald
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published: 10/05/2021
Pages: 240
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.35lbs
Size: 7.56h x 5.12w x 0.71d
ISBN: 9781534453449
Audience: Ages 9-12

About the Author
Briana McDonald writes diverse and adventurous books for young readers. She studied writing at Fairleigh Dickinson University and her short fiction has appeared in several literary journals. When she's not writing, Briana works at Columbia University and lives in New York City with her wife and their dog, Rex. She is the author of Pepper's Rules for Secret Sleuthing, The Secrets of Stone Creek, and Galaxy Jones and the Space Pirates. Find out more at BrianaRoseMcDonald.com.