Mystery is Afoot

October 23, 2025 By Maria

In autumn, my favorite kind of books to read are mysteries (a genre I actually enjoy any season, but especially in the fall). Years ago, a friend gave my kids a Sherlock Holmes style dress-up hat she had made for her children when they were small. I loved watching my kids wear that hat and run through the house peeking around corners with the oversized magnifying glass I picked up in a thrift store for their detective pretend play. I am always happy to find a child-friendly mystery I can share with my kids. The book I am writing about today is a simple autumn mystery perfect for little ones and the fall season.  

Not only is this book an introduction to the mystery genre for the youngest readers, but it is also about apples, one of our favorite fall snacks. In Apples for Little Fox by Ekaterina Trukhan, Fox picks an apple for a snack every morning on his way to the library where he borrows his favorite kind of books, mystery stories. (There is a little hidden surprise on the walls of Fox’s home for any Agatha Christie or Arthur Conan Doyle fans. I loved finding this detail for the first time.) One day all the apples are missing, and Fox happily breaks out the detective skills he learned from all the mystery books he read. Fox starts to investigate and collect evidence. In the end the investigation leads Fox to a delicious surprise prepared by his friends. 

One time when she was around four years old, my daughter engaged my husband in an investigation. I still have no idea what mystery they were trying to solve but they each had a tiny notepad and my daughter was instructing my husband to write down clues as they inspected different things around the house. I don’t think my husband knew what they were investigating either, but he wholeheartedly cooperated.  

My husband and daughter’s investigation did not end in a solved case, as far as I can remember. However, they both had fun playing detective together. My daughter’s enthusiasm for the investigation reminded me of Fox’s excitement at finally having a real mystery to solve. I hope you will enjoy reading this sweet mystery story to your kids, maybe with a plate of sliced apples. Enjoy some fun mystery stories this fall!