Charlotte Illes Is Not A Detective

The TikTok sensation makes her debut in this one of a kind new series, the perfect feel-good mystery for fans of Elle Cosimano, Janet Evanovich and Richard Osman

'[A] rollicking debut...Charlotte is a delight.' New York Times

'Fans of The Maid will embrace the arrival of Charlotte' Library Journal

'An immensely fun, voice-y read with a twisty mystery' Mia P. Manansala

'All clues point to fun' Olivia Blacke

The downside about being a famous child detective is that sooner or later, you have to grow up . . .

As a kid, Charlotte Illes' uncanny sleuthing abilities made her a minor celebrity. But eventually she hung up her detective's hat and stashed away the signature blue landline in her "office"-aka garage-convinced that finding her adult purpose would be as easy as tracking down missing dessert or locating stolen diamonds.

Now 25, Charlotte has a nagging fear that she hit her peak in adolescence. She's living with her mom, scrolling through job listings, and her love life consists mostly of first dates. When it comes to knowing what to do next, Charlotte hasn't got a clue.

And then, her old blue phone rings...

Reluctantly, Charlotte is pulled back into the mystery-solving world she knew-just one more time. But that world is a whole lot more complicated for an adult. As a kid, she was able to crack the case and still get her homework done on time. Now she's dealing with dead bodies, missing persons, and villains who actually see her as a viable threat. And the detective skills she was once so eager to never use again are the only things that can stop a killer ready to make sure her next retirement is permanent.

[A] rollicking debut...Charlotte is a delight. New York Times
Podcaster Siegel's charming comic debut is terrific fun. Fans of The Maid will embrace the arrival of Charlotte and her cohorts on the detecting scene. Library Journal, Starred Review
For anyone who ever wondered how Nancy Drew or Encyclopedia Brown are doing now that they're all grown up, former kid detective Charlotte Illes is here to tell you: Not Great. An immensely fun, voice-y read with a twisty mystery that is very relevant to today, I can't wait to see what Charlotte (and Lucy and especially Gabe) get up to next! Mia P. Manansala, author of the Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity Award-winning Arsenic and Adobo
All clues point to fun in this queer, grown-up Encyclopedia Brown-style zany mystery. And, much like Encyclopedia Brown, you're gonna have to pay very close attention to the details if you're going to keep up with Charlotte Illes (who, of course, isn't a detective). Olivia Blacke, author of Killer Content
There's a particular joy in reading a book and wishing you could be friends with the characters-Charlotte Illes is Not a Detective kept me guessing and left me with a warm and happy glow. Mary Robinette Kowal, author of the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Award-winning The Calculating Stars
Siegel's easygoing debut (based on a character she debuted on TikTok) checks in on the eponymous sleuth 15 years after she gained semi-fame as a child detective...Siegel has whipped up an amusing premise and populated it with charming characters. Publishers Weekly

KATIE SIEGEL is a former wannabe child detective who eventually realized that writing mysteries was more fun than trying (and failing) to solve them. In addition to writing the Charlotte Illes books and creating content for @katiefliesaway on Tiktok, Instagram, and Youtube, she writes and produces the fantasy radio advice show podcast, Dear Liisphyra. She graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in journalism and currently lives in New Jersey. Visit her online at katiefliesaway.com.

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