- Chapter Books
- Ages 8–11
- Mystery
The Poisoned Pie Mystery
Book 2 in Howling Hag MysteriesView the full series
Oakmoss Hornbeam may be the unluckiest boy alive, and when a black cat blows in on a storm he fears the worst. But Nightshade has other plans, teaming up with a young reporter and a magical investigator to break his run of bad luck and solve a poisoning.
- Best for8–11
- FormatChapter
- Length384 pp
- Read aloud~5 hr25 min
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The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Conversational
- Comedic
Tone
- Suspenseful
- Funny
- Whimsical
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
Oakmoss Hornbeam is convinced he is either the unluckiest boy in the world or downright cursed, and when a bedraggled black cat is swept to his door by a storm, he takes it as his worst omen yet. But Nightshade is no ordinary cat: quick-witted and quietly formidable, she knows exactly when a case is game on or game over. Alongside determined newshound Veena Vale and magical crime investigator Dexter Stormface, Nightshade sets out to turn herself into a lucky charm for one very unlucky boy, and to get to the bottom of a poisoning that threatens the whole community. This second Howling Hag mystery blends magical adventure with golden-age crime, all narrated with the tart humour that makes Nightshade such a beloved sleuth. A warm, clue-strewn puzzle for readers who like a little enchantment stirred into their whodunits.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
A cosy magical mystery for readers of 8-11 and a fun read-aloud from about 7. It involves a poisoning to solve, but the peril is light and puzzle-driven, so it suits most children who like a whodunit with humour and a touch of magic.
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- Best fit · 8–11
- Read aloud · 7–10
- Independent · 8–11
Prose load
Moderate
Visual support
Low
Reluctant-reader friendly
Workable
Read-aloud quality
Strong
Works well for
- Reading aloud
Nothing in the book is likely to concern most parents. Safe to recommend without preview.
Bedtime suitability
3 / 5 · Workable
Sensitive-child
4 / 5 · Good fit
Graphic intensity
1 / 5 · None
Best for
- Mystery fans
- Witch stories
- Cat lovers
- Cosy crime fans
Avoid if
- Wants realistic stories
- Sensitive to death themes
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
Nightshade narrating her own case is pure fun, especially as she sets out to become a good-luck charm for hapless Oakmoss. Working out whether his run of disasters is bad luck, a curse or something more sinister makes for a properly twisty mystery.
- Being a detective
- Talking to animals
- Magic powers
- The underdog winning
Why parents love it
Nightshade's dry, confident voice makes this a joy to read aloud, and the fair-play puzzle invites children to weigh clues and motives. Bad luck versus real wrongdoing gives the story a gentle thread about not blaming yourself for everything that goes wrong.
- Shared humour
- Conversation starter
In the series
Howling Hag Mysteries.
3 books · open the series →
About the author
Nicki Thornton.
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