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Get a Clue: How to Plot, Write, and Sell Your MG or YA Mystery
Not yet published
Expected 7 Apr 26116 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 7, 2026
9 people want to read
About the author
Fleur T. Bradley
17 books223 followersFleur (F.T.) Bradley is the author of Double Vision and the (spooky) middle-grade mystery Midnight at the Barclay Hotel (Viking Children’s, Aug. 2020), set in the fictional Barclay Hotel, inspired by the Stanley. Her story “The Perfect Alibi” appeared in Mystery Writers of America’s middle-grade anthology Super Puzzletastic Mysteries, edited by Chris Grabenstein (June 2020, HarperCollins). She regularly does school and Skype visits, as well as librarian and educator conference talks on reaching reluctant readers. Originally from the Netherlands, she now lives in Colorado Springs with her husband and two daughters, and entirely too many cats.
For more information on Fleur and her books, visit www.ftbradley.com or follow her on Twitter @FTBradleyAuthor
For more information on Fleur and her books, visit www.ftbradley.com or follow her on Twitter @FTBradleyAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thanks to Fleur Bradley for providing an advanced copy to review!
Get a Clue is written in a conversational manner that draws you in and makes you feel like you sat down to have a one-on-one discussion with Fleur. I found myself thinking responses to passages right from the get go. For example, when she started talking about the fact that the mystery department for kids has not kept up in terms of volume of books published, I wanted to respond as a teacher-librarian. (Yes! My students cannot get enough mystery and it is evident that they need more choices when I bring them to that genre and some of them have already read most of what we own and are begging for more. This is especially true for my 4th and 5th graders. )
The tips provided in this book are practical, inspirational and feel approachable to try, (even to someone who hasn’t tried to write a long novel of any kind let alone a mystery). Additionally, the suggestions take into account the responsibility of the writer to middle grade readers and young adult readers uniquely. There’s much nuance involved when plotting a mystery that’s fitting for kids that fall into these age groups, and Fleur tackles that in her message to authors. I love the inclusion of the Your Turn section (and although I didn’t go through and complete them the first time around, I actually do plan to go back to the beginning of the book and give it a go!) I love that it points you in the direction of specific resources and references to help you along the way through the whole process (beyond just writing it). The way Fleur breaks the process down feels manageable and dare I say it like it will be an enjoyable puzzle to solve in itself. It's also written with humor that brings out the fun of writing and a little levity throughout.
This book gives you meaningful, leading questions to ask yourself that will lead to developing intriguing plot, growing characters and more.
I have participated in a lot of writing webinars and read quite a few how to/craft books, but most of the time I finish the book and think "okay later"… or "okay someday in the future I’ll write", but this one actually made it feel like it was not only doable, but doable right now. Like starting this week, I’m dedicating time.
Additionally, with a few small tweaks I could see this book being adapted for middle graders and young adults as well to encourage them to write their own mysteries. It has possibilities to bring in both audiences!
Get a Clue is written in a conversational manner that draws you in and makes you feel like you sat down to have a one-on-one discussion with Fleur. I found myself thinking responses to passages right from the get go. For example, when she started talking about the fact that the mystery department for kids has not kept up in terms of volume of books published, I wanted to respond as a teacher-librarian. (Yes! My students cannot get enough mystery and it is evident that they need more choices when I bring them to that genre and some of them have already read most of what we own and are begging for more. This is especially true for my 4th and 5th graders. )
The tips provided in this book are practical, inspirational and feel approachable to try, (even to someone who hasn’t tried to write a long novel of any kind let alone a mystery). Additionally, the suggestions take into account the responsibility of the writer to middle grade readers and young adult readers uniquely. There’s much nuance involved when plotting a mystery that’s fitting for kids that fall into these age groups, and Fleur tackles that in her message to authors. I love the inclusion of the Your Turn section (and although I didn’t go through and complete them the first time around, I actually do plan to go back to the beginning of the book and give it a go!) I love that it points you in the direction of specific resources and references to help you along the way through the whole process (beyond just writing it). The way Fleur breaks the process down feels manageable and dare I say it like it will be an enjoyable puzzle to solve in itself. It's also written with humor that brings out the fun of writing and a little levity throughout.
This book gives you meaningful, leading questions to ask yourself that will lead to developing intriguing plot, growing characters and more.
I have participated in a lot of writing webinars and read quite a few how to/craft books, but most of the time I finish the book and think "okay later"… or "okay someday in the future I’ll write", but this one actually made it feel like it was not only doable, but doable right now. Like starting this week, I’m dedicating time.
Additionally, with a few small tweaks I could see this book being adapted for middle graders and young adults as well to encourage them to write their own mysteries. It has possibilities to bring in both audiences!
Read
March 9, 2026Get a Clue: How to Plot, Write, and Sell Your MG or YA Mystery by Fleur T. Bradley is a practical and engaging guide designed for writers interested in crafting compelling mysteries for middle grade (MG) and young adult (YA) readers.
Mystery is one of the most beloved genres among younger audiences, but writing a satisfying whodunit requires careful planning, clever clues, and a well structured plot. Bradley draws on her experience as a mystery author to break down the essential elements that make these stories work from constructing puzzles and planting clues to building tension and maintaining suspense.
The book walks aspiring writers through the process of developing an engaging mystery narrative. Bradley discusses how to create believable suspects, craft red herrings, and design plot twists that keep readers guessing until the final reveal. She also emphasizes the importance of balancing the investigative elements of the story with strong character development and emotional stakes.
Another key focus of Get a Clue is the specific expectations of MG and YA audiences. Bradley explains how tone, pacing, and character perspective can differ when writing for younger readers, offering helpful insights into how authors can tailor their stories to resonate with these age groups.
Beyond the craft of writing, the book also provides guidance on navigating the publishing landscape. Bradley touches on strategies for preparing a manuscript, understanding the market for MG and YA mysteries, and positioning a book for success with agents, publishers, and readers.
Clear, concise, and full of practical advice, Get a Clue serves as a valuable resource for writers looking to develop their mystery writing skills and bring engaging stories to younger audiences.
Overall, Bradley offers an encouraging and informative guide that helps aspiring authors understand both the creative and professional aspects of writing mysteries for MG and YA readers.
Mystery is one of the most beloved genres among younger audiences, but writing a satisfying whodunit requires careful planning, clever clues, and a well structured plot. Bradley draws on her experience as a mystery author to break down the essential elements that make these stories work from constructing puzzles and planting clues to building tension and maintaining suspense.
The book walks aspiring writers through the process of developing an engaging mystery narrative. Bradley discusses how to create believable suspects, craft red herrings, and design plot twists that keep readers guessing until the final reveal. She also emphasizes the importance of balancing the investigative elements of the story with strong character development and emotional stakes.
Another key focus of Get a Clue is the specific expectations of MG and YA audiences. Bradley explains how tone, pacing, and character perspective can differ when writing for younger readers, offering helpful insights into how authors can tailor their stories to resonate with these age groups.
Beyond the craft of writing, the book also provides guidance on navigating the publishing landscape. Bradley touches on strategies for preparing a manuscript, understanding the market for MG and YA mysteries, and positioning a book for success with agents, publishers, and readers.
Clear, concise, and full of practical advice, Get a Clue serves as a valuable resource for writers looking to develop their mystery writing skills and bring engaging stories to younger audiences.
Overall, Bradley offers an encouraging and informative guide that helps aspiring authors understand both the creative and professional aspects of writing mysteries for MG and YA readers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A Great Beginner’s Guide to Writing a MG or YA Mystery (or any mystery, really)!
I heard Fleur Bradley present at a writers conference on her sequencing method for writing a mystery and jumped at the chance to read an Advanced Reader Copy of Get a Clue, where she lays out her process in more detail. Get a Clue is a fun, easy read packed with solid advice for anyone delving into the world of MG/YA Mystery writing. Fleur’s style of writing is witty and easy-going, making the process of learning her method pain-free and enjoyable. It includes a lot of “your turn” exercises where you can apply her advice to your own projects. Writing a mystery can be overwhelming, as you have to do the usual work of a novel, while at the same time developing suspects and dropping in clues and red herrings at the right points. It can be a lot. Fleur breaks a mystery novel down into discrete, manageable parts and makes it fun.
What I didn’t expect, and enjoyed so much, was the advice that went beyond the sequencing method. For example, advice about tapping into your creativity; where to find ideas and how to keep track of them; tips about the value of the short pitch and where to find inspiration for your own; choosing the right protagonist; coming up with suspects; and a lot more.
Get a Clue focuses primarily on the structure of a MG/YA Mystery and on the big-picture process of writing and editing. It is not a deep dive into any one aspect of crafting a novel, such as characterization, setting, plot, dialogue, narrative description. I would say it is not the right choice for an experienced writer looking to hone their craft, but it is an amazing resource for anyone in the early stages of learning to write middle grade or young adult mysteries. And it’s a fun read!
I received a free copy of this book but my review is voluntary and my opinion is my own.
I heard Fleur Bradley present at a writers conference on her sequencing method for writing a mystery and jumped at the chance to read an Advanced Reader Copy of Get a Clue, where she lays out her process in more detail. Get a Clue is a fun, easy read packed with solid advice for anyone delving into the world of MG/YA Mystery writing. Fleur’s style of writing is witty and easy-going, making the process of learning her method pain-free and enjoyable. It includes a lot of “your turn” exercises where you can apply her advice to your own projects. Writing a mystery can be overwhelming, as you have to do the usual work of a novel, while at the same time developing suspects and dropping in clues and red herrings at the right points. It can be a lot. Fleur breaks a mystery novel down into discrete, manageable parts and makes it fun.
What I didn’t expect, and enjoyed so much, was the advice that went beyond the sequencing method. For example, advice about tapping into your creativity; where to find ideas and how to keep track of them; tips about the value of the short pitch and where to find inspiration for your own; choosing the right protagonist; coming up with suspects; and a lot more.
Get a Clue focuses primarily on the structure of a MG/YA Mystery and on the big-picture process of writing and editing. It is not a deep dive into any one aspect of crafting a novel, such as characterization, setting, plot, dialogue, narrative description. I would say it is not the right choice for an experienced writer looking to hone their craft, but it is an amazing resource for anyone in the early stages of learning to write middle grade or young adult mysteries. And it’s a fun read!
I received a free copy of this book but my review is voluntary and my opinion is my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I take every opportunity I can get to hear Fleur Bradley’s presentations at writing conferences, knowing I will be taking notes as fast as I can to record the wealth of clear, specific pointers she provides on every aspect of writing craft. Here she compiles and distills the bounty of craft wisdom she learned from writing her many award-winning books into an engaging, inspiring, and enormously helpful step-by-step guide on how to write mysteries for young readers. I am not a mystery writer myself (though after reading this I’m tempted to be, as Bradley does such a good job of sharing the sheer fun and joy of writing in this genre!), but I came away with page after page of excellent insights to use in my own writing. Among these: the pros and cons of including a prologue, how not to get lost in research, the fun trick of imagining what actor might play your character in a movie, and my personal favorite of her tips: “You can use setting to elevate conflict in every scene” (with great examples given). Throughout the book, Bradley’s tone is conversational, directly addressing the reader with candor, humor, and encouragement, clearly rooting for all of us to succeed in writing the best mystery (or book of any kind) we possibly can. Highly recommended!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am so grateful for amazing authors like Fleur Bradley who I've been fortunate enough to take workshops with at several conferences and I've attended some of her book launches in person and virtually. I am a huge fan of her writing and the way she creates middle grade books that make even reluctant readers want to read. This speaks to my reading specialist heart so when I heard she was working on this craft book, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it! When she offered to send me an Advance Reader Copy, I was thrilled. GET A CLUE (what a fun name for a book about writing mysteries!) is different from other craft books in that it's more accessible and truly written in that voice-y way which inspires a writer like me to gain confidence and get to work! I would encourage anyone who wants to level up their MG or YA writing to check this book out.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is one of the best books on writing I have ever read. The title Get a Clue: How to Plot, Write, and Sell Your MG or YA Mystery is precisely what the book is all about. It’s like being in a classroom with a teacher you really like and ACTUALLY learning. It’s fun! If you desire to write a book for kids or teens but know you need some direction, pick up this book. The principles work whether you write mysteries or not. I particularly enjoyed the recaps and the to-do lists at the end of each chapter. Following along, and doing the work, you can have an entire novel draft by the end of the book. Yay!
*Special thanks to the author for my ARC (advanced reader copy).
*Special thanks to the author for my ARC (advanced reader copy).
Review of advance copy received from Author
Get a Clue is a smart, practical guide for anyone ready to crack the code of writing MG and YA mysteries, Fleur Bradley delivers clear, actionable advice every writer needs. Even with a couple of books under my belt, I had several “aha” moments that will serve me well moving forward.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews