Conspirators’ Club: A Middle Grade Mystery That Will Leave You On The Edge Of Your Seat
What is your book about?
Have you ever dreamed of a life of adventure, where you can make a difference and improve the world around you? That is exactly what the main characters in my middle grade mystery are trying to achieve.
Set in a boarding school on a cold, wind-blown island called Shadow Skerry (meaning “rocky island”), Conspirators’ Club follows the story of Peter Holm, a young boy who is struggling to fit in and find his place in a new and often hostile environment. He meets Sam, a girl who is full of life and ideas, and together they form a secret prank club. Their goal is to combat the unfair rules of the Academy with covert pranks, such as stealing back desserts the headmaster had unfairly confiscated, or teaching a lesson to the bullies who help the headmaster by snitching on their fellow schoolmates.
But when a prank goes wrong, Peter and his friends discover a dangerous secret hidden beneath the school, and the headmaster becomes their biggest obstacle to overcome. Will they be able to stop him and save their friends, or will their mission be their last?
Overall, Conspirators’ Club is a middle grade mystery full of adventure, humor, and heart. It is a story about standing up for what’s right, even when it seems impossible, and about finding your place in the world.
What inspired you to write the book?
Conspirators’ Club was inspired by a childhood dream of freedom and adventure. As a kid, I always loved stories of young heroes who used their intelligence and courage to overcome adversity. I wanted to write a story that would resonate with young readers and encourage them to make a difference in the world, no matter how small.
My inspiration for the setting came from my trips to the islands Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. While Shadow Skerry Island is considerably different in character and atmosphere, the northern landscape of pine trees and rocky beaches captured my imagination and provided what I felt was the perfect backdrop for this mystery.
What is your target audience for the book?
My target audience for Conspirators’ Club is middle grade readers, ages 8 to 12, who enjoy a good, fast-paced mystery with a touch of humor and adventure. But, judging by all the feedback and reviews I’ve had of the book, I know that adult readers will love this story as well.
What do you hope readers could get out from your book?
I hope readers will identify with Peter and his friends and feel a sense of satisfaction as they follow them on their journey to outsmart the headmaster and make a positive change in their school. The book’s message is that a person can make a difference, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. I hope it will open young readers to a sense of camaraderie as they join the Conspirators’ Club and become a part of something bigger than themselves.
What are your future plans for the book?
The sequel, Pickpockets’ Guild, is already in the works. It will continue Peter’s adventures and delve deeper into the world of the Conspirators. In this new book, which will take place over the summer break, Peter and his friends will have to travel to a remote cosplay village in order to save one of their own from serious trouble. They will face many new challenges and dangers in the name of friendship and a promise they all gave each other at the end of Book 1.
I hope to create a world with this series that readers will want to return to again and again and share my message of empowerment through friendship.
A little bit about me:
My name is Elena Jagar, and writing middle grade novels is one of my biggest passions. (My other one is writing cozy mysteries under the pen name, Tessa Kelly.)
Aside from writing, I love traveling, meeting people from different cultures, and spending time outdoors, especially in a forest or by the sea. I think being close to nature is essential for physical and mental health, and meeting people who think and act differently challenges our own preconceived ideas about the world. I also immensely enjoy painting and sculpting, as well as swimming and horseback riding. All these activities have helped me to connect with the world around me and find new ideas for stories. I believe that reading is a powerful tool for expanding our understanding of the world and connecting with others, and I hope that my books will inspire young readers to do just that.
To learn more about me and my new releases, sign up for my newsletter and get the latest updates: Book
Thank you, Authors’ Lounge, for giving me this wonderful opportunity to talk about my book!
You can buy Conspirators’ Club at:
