Some mixed feelings on this one. I love the 1930's boarding school for girls setting, but it did not always work here. It often does, it looks like the writer knows what she's talking about and has done her research. I appreciated that there's a reference to Angela Brazil's books (a famous writer of girls' boarding school fiction at the beginning of the 20th century). However, she spoils it by having the attitudes be too modern. So many open references to lesbianism. It looks like this school is filled with lesbian, and everyone knows and no one bats an eye. It's not only that: in general, it just doesn't ring true for the time period.

I liked the two main characters and their dynamics. They felt real to me, and I find it amusing that many reviewers complain about how Hazel is in awe of Daisy, and how Daisy, the privileged, aristocratic, smart, blonde English girl has more self-confidence and is more assertive than the similarly smart Asian girl. I say I find it amusing because this was one of the things that worked for me. Hazel's Anglophilia and her admiration for the English girl Daisy is not fashionable for fiction nowadays, but it rings true considering the time period. Basically, other reviewers were asking for the characters' attitudes being even more modern, which is something that in my opinion a writer of historical fiction should be wary of, because it can destroy readers' suspension of disbelief.

Anyway, the boarding school setting was mostly done well and I enjoyed it. However, the focus of the story is firmly set on the murder investigation, which felt a little mechanical. A lot of checking alibis and little attention to the psychological elements.

I love the idea of mixing boarding school fiction, Angela Brazil style, with a Golden Age of Detection mystery, Agatha Christie style. It was not great, but it was entertaining. ( )

When the white lady started out writing a self-deprecating Chinese character, i got too uncomfortable to enjoy the book or recommend. it. ( )

Murder Is Bad Manners (or Murder Most Unladylike in its original U.K. edition), the first installment of a series by first-time author Robin Stevens, is an appealing whodunit set in a posh English boarding school in 1934, featuring 13-year-old detectives and BFFs Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong. Teachers turn up murdered, and a not-so-secret string of affairs (both same- and opposite-sex) may have something to do with it. This book features clever and humorous writing and characters that shine and grow. You'll get invested not only in the "whodunit" plot but in the lives of the characters as well. This is the perfect mystery book for older children and pre-teens (and adults too!) ( )

At Deepdean School for Girls, Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong have set up their own detective agency. Hazel discovers the Science Mistress dead in the Gym. To add to the mystery, when she and Daisy return five minutes later, the body has disappeared. Now Hazel and Daisy not only have a murder to solve: they have to prove one happened in the first place.

An absolutely top-class story. Excellent plotting, colourful characters and a wonderfully mysterious murder to solve. The unlikely premise of this book - 1930s schoolgirls solving crimes - is what drives it forwards and makes it so special. Robin Stevens plays the whole thing absolutely straight with no clever asides or knowing winks and that is what makes it such a fun read. ( )

Enjoyable middle grade boarding school set mystery featuring Daisy Wells and Hazel Wong. I am not sure that I am too keen on Daisy she is a bit pushy, but will continue with the series and see how both the characters develop ( )