Published October 8th, 2026 by Orenda Books
Mystery, Crime Fiction, Thriller, Humorous Fiction, Cozy Mystery
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ABOUT THE BOOK:
Tippy Chan, Uncle Pike and Devon are determined not to reform their secret detective club, The Nancys, but when an explosion kills three people and the investigation turns chaotic, dangerous and deeply personal, the club is back in business, in another riotous instalment of the award-winning series.
*** Finalist for the Ngaio Marsh Best Novel Award***
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The Nancys are back…
It’s four months after Christmas, and Tippy Chan, Uncle Pike and Devon are reunited in Riverstone for the first anniversary of Tippy’s father’s death. This time, the plan is simple: no mysteries, no crimes, and definitely no secret detective clubs.
Riverstone has other ideas…
When an early-morning explosion destroys the town hall and kills three people, the town is thrown into chaos. An arrest is made and everyone in Riverstone decides the case is closed … except for Tippy and the Nancys. Once again, it’s up to the Nancys to go against the flow … and police advice.
Their search draws them towards Tulip Farm and raises more questions than answers. Is the accused bomber really guilty? Was he working alone? And when everyone else is convinced they’re right, does that make you wrong?
With rumours spreading, tempers flaring and the threat of another attack hanging over the town, the Nancys must work out who to trust, who to ignore, and how to stop a killer before they strike again…
Funny, fearless and fizzing with heart, The Nancys and the Secret of Tulip Farm is a joyful, nerve-jangling mystery about belonging, loyalty and asking awkward questions, with a dark and dangerous secret at its core and characters you will never forget…
A hilarious, and heartfelt twist on Nancy Drew – perfect for readers who love The List of Suspicious Things.
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MY REVIEW:
Uncle Pike and Devon are back in town for the first anniversary of Tippy Chan’s father’s death. She’s thrilled to see them, but they are all determined that this time around they won’t be solving any crimes or reforming their secret detective club, the Nancys. But that all changes when an explosion rocks Riverstone. Three people are killed and the perpetrator is captured, but the Nancys aren’t so sure that the case is closed. So, they reform their club and start investigating…
The Nancys are back for more amateur detective exploits in this entertaining mystery. I loved everything about the first book in this series so I jumped at the chance to read its sequel. I’m a big fan of cosy crime and amateur detectives, so this series is a bit of me. This time around there is a police suspect but the Nancys aren’t sure they have got it right, so once again everyone is under suspicion as they investigate who really planted the bomb that killed three people. Mysterious, emotional, funny and uplifting, R. W. R McDonald has crafted a sequel that is even better than the brilliant first installment. Skillfully written and cleverly plotted, there were a number of suspects and it kept me guessing right up until the truth was revealed.
I adore this motley crew of fabulous characters and it was so much fun to be back with them. Once again, the story is told from Tippy Chan’s perspective, which McDonald has nailed perfectly. In this installment, Tippy really goes through it and I felt for her. Uncle Pike and Devon also go through a lot this time around, and while the deep emotion and serious topics are written with sensitivity, they are also perfectly balanced with humour and the whole book still has that refreshing, cosy crime vibe that I loved in book one.
A must-read for anyone who loves a crime caper.
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✰
Thanks to Anne at Random Things Tours for the invitation to take part and Orenda for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
R.W.R. McDonald (Rob) is an award-winning author, a Kiwi and Queer dad living in Melbourne with his two daughters and one HarryCat. His debut novel, The Nancys, won Best First Novel in the 2020 Ngaio Marsh Awards, as well as being a finalist in the Best Novel category. It was shortlisted for Best First Novel in the 2020 Ned Kelly Awards, and Highly Commended for an Unpublished Manuscript in the 2017 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards. His second novel, Nancy Business, was a finalist for Best Novel in 2022 Ngaio Marsh Awards.
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Thanks for reading, Bibliophiles xxxxx
