Plot and plan with Robin Stevens

This writing unit centers on an episode of the Author in Your Classroom podcast featuring Robin Stevens, the award-winning author of the Murder Most Unladylike series.

Pupils listen in to this virtual author visit as Robin shares tips, reads extracts, and gives a behind-the-scenes look at plotting a mystery.

Teaching overview

The unit guides children through planning and writing their own detective stories. They start by creating their own detectives, inspired by Hazel and Daisy. The children work in pairs, sharing ideas and building a Mystery Writing Working Wall as a visual reference.

Next, pupils design a setting, a crime, and a victim. They think critically about where the story unfolds and how it connects to their detective characters.

Then, the children plan suspects, clues, and a resolution. They learn to surprise the reader, hide the real culprit, and add twists. Podcast clips and planning sheets make this step interactive and hands-on.

Finally, pupils write their stories from the detective’s perspective, using techniques highlighted by Robin. They share drafts, receive feedback, and revise for clarity and excitement. The unit wraps up with opportunities to extend writing, read more of the series, and showcase final stories on the working wall.

This teaching sequence blends listening, planning, and writing. By the end, children gain confidence in storytelling and leave with a polished mystery story, all while learning directly from Robin Stevens.