Things in Southwold get off to a bad start! Max has to do extra lessons while Charlie has been roped into helping with the decorating. Lucy loses an important race to a new girl in her school, Miranda Fitchwitherington, who seems to enjoy being as mean as possible to Lucy and the rest of the gang. And there is more bad news: Captain Tom tells them about an outbreak of pet thefts in the area... A new case for The After School Detective Club! 9+ A gripping adventure story, perfect for fans of Enid Blyton.