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CollectionAges 8–11Illustrated Chapter Books

Cruise Ship Kid

A universe by Emma Swan

A funny, twisty detective series set aboard a cruise ship, following ten-year-old Silver as she cracks a fresh mystery each book. Perfect for newly confident readers who love a laugh and a puzzle.

  • Series

    1
  • Books

    2
  • Best for

    8–11
  • Status

    Ongoing

At a glance

Primary creator
Emma Swan
First book
Cruise Ship Kid: Thief At Sea! · 2025
Tone
Funny, Adventurous, Warm, Exciting
Overall sensitivity
Low

The shape of it

The shape of this universe.

Cruise Ship Kid is Emma Swan's warm, funny detective series set aboard a floating world of pools, cinemas and shops - the unusual home of ten-year-old Silver, whose mum runs the ship. With hundreds of holidaymakers passing through but rarely another child her age, Silver turns loneliness into a knack for spotting trouble, cracking a fresh whodunnit in each book: a jewel theft, a missing influencer. Brightly illustrated by Katie Saunders, the stories pair fast, comedic shipboard chaos with satisfyingly twisty mysteries and a heroine worth cheering for. Written for newly confident readers, it is ideal for children who love a laugh, a puzzle and a plucky detective, and comfortably shares a shelf with other funny, accessible mystery series for the seven-to-eleven age group.

A funny, twisty detective series set aboard a cruise ship, following ten-year-old Silver as she cracks a fresh mystery each book. Perfect for newly confident readers who love a laugh and a puzzle.

Primary themes

Tone palette

  • Funny
  • Adventurous
  • Warm
  • Exciting

The series

One way in.

Cultural footprint

A shelf of evidence.

Cultural ubiquity

2/ 5

A working classic for readers in the know.

Sensitivity

Low, and collection-wide.

LowCollection-wide

Across the collection

All 2 books.

About the creator

Emma Swan.

Emma Swan

Author

Emma Swan: a Horrible Histories stage star whose award-winning Cruise Ship Kid mysteries serve up funny, twisty cosy crime at sea for newly confident readers.

More from Emma Swan
How we recommend

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