Girl Detectives Just Wanna Have Fun
A Birdie Mealing Mystery: Book 1
RELEASED 2023. RE-RELEASED 2026
It’s 1984. Hair is big, skirts are short, and Birdie Mealing is just a girl who wants to have fun … until her uncle goes missing that is.
With a little help from her friends, Birdie, a talented musician turned amateur sleuth, is determined to find her uncle: after all, he’s the only father figure this daughter of a single mother has ever known.
Detective Herb Lawson, however, has other ideas. Battling with colleagues, family and his conscience he doesn’t need any further complications. Birdie – a magnet for trouble – needs to back off and leave the investigating to him.
Fat chance, detective!
The closer Birdie gets to solving her uncle’s disappearance, the more she uncovers about his connection to a fatal explosion on the harbour… and the underworld kingpin who was jailed for it. And the closer she gets to the guarded but gorgeous Herb, the more she questions his motives… and her own identity.
Having fun yet, Birdie?
Shady deals, clueless cops, two zany sidekicks, and when you throw in snappy banter with hunky Herb – and Birdie’s never say die attitude – this book was unputdownable.
LEEARNA SHAW, Debut Crew 2026
The story meshes crime and romance, and boy oh boy, there are plenty of saucy scenes. Endearing, inquisitive and gutsy, Birdie Mealing runs rings around law enforcement, and poor Detective Lawson.
HOLLY BRUNNBAUER, What Did I Miss?
Packed with 1980s references, which made it a nostalgic read for me. Philippa has also explored, with sensitivity and care, experiences of Indigenous Australians in the 1980s. Brava Philippa. I hope you are inspired to write more.
JULIE BENNET, Lost Letters of Rose Carey
A pacy mystery novel flavoured with lots of fun eighty’s nostalgia – big hair, shoulder pads – not to mention a spicy romance for some extra fun!
CLAUDINE TINELLIS, Talking Aussie Books
A fun read full of twists and turns and a dash of romance for good measure.
JODI GIBSON, Reinventing Emily Brown