The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves 1

By Tom Phillips,

Book cover of The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves 1: Egypt's Fire

Book description

Hilarious, non-stop adventure, a mysterious jewel heist, and a detective team like no other make this a must-have middle grade series starter. Perfect for fans of A Series of Unfortunate Events and Enola Holmes.

After twelve-year-old John Boarhog’s mom dies, the last thing he wants is to be schlepped off…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

2 authors picked The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves 1 as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

An orphan who lives in the ceiling of New York's Natural History Museum, an oddball detective, a society of secret sleuths, and a race to find a stolen rare jewel to prove one's innocence, The Curious League is a love letter to classic middle-grade detective stories.

Truly madcap, this book will have kids in stitches and is a perfect read-aloud. It's also a series, so readers can jump right into book 2.

From Taylor's list on middle grade series to laugh out-loud.

This book is so cool because it takes place in a timeless version of New York City where 12-year-old John is an orphan, hiding out and living alone in the crawlspace of a museum. With zero formal education, he still has all the smarts he needs to take care of himself until he gets mixed up in a seemingly impossible jewel heist where he is the only suspect. John’s mind isn’t enough to get him out of the mess. Instead, it’s his budding friendship and apprenticeship with the world’s greatest detective, Toadius McGee, that lets him deal with the crime,…

If you love The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves 1...

Ad

Book cover of One Giant Leap

One Giant Leap by Ben Gartner,

Editor's Pick, BookLife by Publishers Weekly.

Gold Medal, 2023 Mom's Choice Awards.

Gold Medal, 2023 Readers' Favorite Awards.

First Place, 2023 Gertrude Warner Middle Grade Awards.

I’m pretty sure I’m about to die in space. And I just turned twelve and a half.

Blast off with the four winners of…

Want books like The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves 1?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves 1.

Browse books like The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves 1

Book cover of Sal and Gabi Break the Universe
Book cover of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise
Book cover of City of Ghosts

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

2,009

readers submitted
so far, will you?

Ad

📚 If you like The Curious League of Detectives and Thieves 1, you might also like...

Book cover of Trapped in the Horror Dome

Trapped in the Horror Dome by Matt McMann,

This series of terrifying standalone tales that combine monsters + mysteries is perfect for fans of Goosebumps.

“Spine-chilling and creepy!” —Max Brallier, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Kids on Earth, on Escape From Grimstone Manor (Monsterious, Book 1). 

When their school wins a state science…

Book cover of Those That Wake

Those That Wake by Jesse Karp,

Mal's older brother has disappeared into thin air. Laura's parents went away for the weekend and when she gives them a call, they have no idea who she is. In pursuit of answers, the teens become entangled with two others similarly targeted by a force they don't understand and now,…

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in New York State, museums, and death?

New York State 580 books
Museums 20 books
Death 401 books