TL;DR: If you’re looking for a way to trick your kid into loving math and history without them realizing they’re "learning," The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency series is your best friend. It’s an alt-history mystery series featuring a young Mary Shelley and Ada Lovelace as 19th-century crime fighters. Pair the books with The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency app to turn screen time into a logic-puzzle adventure.
Imagine if the smartest girls in history met when they were eleven and fourteen, moved into a flat in London, and started solving crimes using "the science of the mind." That is the premise of Jordan Stratford’s brilliant series.
The two leads are Lady Ada Byron (who grows up to be Ada Lovelace, the world’s first computer programmer) and Mary Godwin (who becomes Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein). In this "pro-history" (as the author calls it) version of the 1820s, the girls are peers. Ada is the logical, math-obsessed genius who struggles with social cues, and Mary is the creative, empathetic writer who understands human nature.
It’s basically Sherlock Holmes meets The Mysterious Benedict Society, but with a heavy dose of actual STEM concepts and 19th-century girl power that doesn't feel forced or "educational" in that cringe, pandering way.
We all want our kids to be "digitally literate," but that usually ends up looking like us hovering over them while they do Scratch tutorials or feeling guilty that they’ve spent six hours in Roblox "working on their entrepreneurship" (read: begging for Robux).
The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency series is the "secret weapon" because it builds the mindset of a programmer before they even touch a keyboard. Ada Lovelace’s character approach to problems is rooted in logic gates, algorithms, and systematic thinking. When she solves a mystery, she isn't just guessing; she’s using a "Difference Engine" of the mind.
By the time your kid finishes The Case of the Missing Moonstone, they’ve been exposed to:
- Logic and deduction: How to break big problems into small, solvable parts.
- Historical context: They’ll actually know who Percy Shelley and Lord Byron were without having to sit through a dry lecture.
- Vocabulary: Stratford doesn't write down to kids. The prose is sharp, witty, and sophisticated.
Ask our chatbot for more book series that teach logic and coding mindset
This is where it starts. Ada and Mary form the agency and take on their first case. It’s a perfect introduction to their "Odd Couple" dynamic. Mary provides the emotional intelligence, and Ada provides the "if/then" logic. It’s fast-paced enough to keep a kid who’s used to the high-octane energy of YouTube engaged, but deep enough to satisfy a voracious reader.
Most "companion apps" for books are absolute garbage. They’re usually just a few static images and a quiz. This one is different. It’s a collection of augmented reality (AR) mysteries and "Ada’s Engines"—mini-games that are essentially logic puzzles disguised as 19th-century machinery.
If your kid is into Minecraft because they like building systems, they will likely vibe with the "engineering" feel of this app. It’s one of the few pieces of "educational" software I’ve seen that doesn't feel like "brain rot" or a glorified digital worksheet.
The sequel ups the stakes and introduces more historical cameos. It deals with some heavier themes like the treatment of the poor in industrial London, but handles it with the same wit as the first book. It’s a great bridge to more complex historical fiction like Enola Holmes.
Recommended Ages: 8–12
- Reading Level: The books are written at a middle-grade level. A strong 8-year-old reader will handle it fine, but it’s also a great read-aloud for kids who might find the vocabulary a bit daunting at first.
- Content: It’s very clean. There’s no gore or inappropriate romance. The "crimes" are usually thefts or disappearances.
- Complexity: The mysteries are actually solvable if the reader pays attention to the clues—which is a huge win for building confidence in logical thinking.
This series is a fantastic antidote to the "passive consumption" habit. Because the characters are constantly questioning why things happen and how things work, it tends to spark that same curiosity in kids.
Don't be surprised if your kid starts asking you about the industrial revolution or how a steam engine works. It also provides a really healthy model for friendship—Ada is clearly neurodivergent (though the book doesn't use modern labels), and Mary’s patience and appreciation for Ada’s "different" brain is a beautiful example of neuro-inclusive friendship.
How to Talk About It
If your kid is reading the series, here are a few ways to lean into the STEM/Logic themes:
- The "If/Then" Game: Ada thinks in logic. Ask your kid, "If we were Ada, how would we write the 'code' for making a peanut butter sandwich?" (e.g., If the jar is closed, then unscrew the lid).
- Fact vs. Fiction: Since this is "alt-history," it’s fun to look up the real Mary Shelley and Ada Lovelace. It’s a great way to show that history isn't just a list of dates, but a collection of real, messy, brilliant people.
- The Ethics of Invention: Since Mary grows up to write Frankenstein, the books touch on the idea of "just because we can build it, should we?" This is a perfect segue into talking about Artificial Intelligence today.
Learn more about how to talk to your kids about the history of technology
The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency series is a rare find. It’s a series that respects a child's intelligence, celebrates being "the smart girl," and manages to make the 1820s feel as exciting as a superhero movie.
If you’re tired of the "pink aisle" options for girls that focus solely on social drama, or if you have a boy who loves mysteries but needs a break from Diary of a Wimpy Kid, give these books a shot.
Next Steps:
- Grab The Case of the Missing Moonstone from the library or bookstore.
- Download The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency app for their next long car ride.
- Check out our guide on other mystery series for kids who love logic.