I Think I Murdered Miss
Synopsis
My name is Simon Spittle and I think - no, I know, I murdered Miss Belcher. I don't carry a gun. Or a knife. Or even a toothpick, but yesterday, in French, I wished for her to be run over by a bus and, later that very day, she was. A big, red double-decker with yellow wheels and a picture of a clown on the bonnet. A Billy Smart's Circus bus.
Author's Biography
Billy Bob Buttons is a young talented author. On top of being a secondary school English teacher, he is also a pilot. Born in the Viking city of York, he and his wife, Therese, a true Swedish girl from the IKEA county of Småland, now live in Stockholm and London. Their twin girls, Rebecca and Beatrix, and little boy, Albert, inspire Billy Bob every day to pick up a pen and work on his books.
When not writing, he enjoys tennis and playing MONSTER! with his three children. He is the author of the much loved, The Gullfoss Legends, Rubery Award finalist, Felicity Brady and the Wizard s Bookshop, UK People's Book Prize runner-up, TOR Assassin Hunter and TOR Wolf Rising. I Think I Murdered Miss is his ninth children's novel.
When not writing, he enjoys tennis and playing MONSTER! with his three children. He is the author of the much loved, The Gullfoss Legends, Rubery Award finalist, Felicity Brady and the Wizard s Bookshop, UK People's Book Prize runner-up, TOR Assassin Hunter and TOR Wolf Rising. I Think I Murdered Miss is his ninth children's novel.
Reviews
'Superb! A laugh-out-loud gem.' Bookworm
'Your child will love this book and, to be honest, so will you.' Hi5 Magazine
'This is a very, VERY funny book. Billy Bob Buttons is a top-notch children's writer.' Eclipse Magazine
Price: £12.95
'Your child will love this book and, to be honest, so will you.' Hi5 Magazine
'This is a very, VERY funny book. Billy Bob Buttons is a top-notch children's writer.' Eclipse Magazine
Price: £12.95
Reader Comments
Very fast-paced and beautifully written, this is definitely one of the best books I've read this calendar year. It's not normally a genre into which I'd delve, but I did on this occassion, and am very glad that i did. Recommended to all.
THRILLING
excellent book for kids and young adults
Thrilling book for kids.
If I could write a book, this is the book I'd write. Charming.
Tremendous fun
Nice idea. It sounds something out of a fantasy world, but it's an experience many children actually have (wishing someone ill then when that person has an accident or gets ill, feeling they are responsible).
I honestly hate fantasy kids books. I detest Harry Potter, Eclipse is just chick-lit (badly written chick-lit), but this is really good. We read it in class over two weeks. Simon is a total nerd but he is funny too. Isabella is much much cooler and she helps him to find the truth. I liked the twist at the end. Recommend it.
I could not put this book down for. Absolutely brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Primary school kids will love it
Perfectly paced children's story
I Think I Murdered Miss is a masterpiece. For my money it is Button's best book, (though "TOR Assassin Hunter" come close.) I think that although the intended audience is kids, adults too would appreciate the tale. It is not only a ripping good adventure story, but an atmospheric one as well.
interesting / a worthy winner
This is my daughter voting. She throught it was a really good read. I liked the twist about the girl character.
It was a lovely book; I couldn't put it down.
An encouraging author with a fun and unique story. Always worth a read. A deserving winner.
A book for anybody who has a secret desire to knock off their French teacher.
THIS BOOK MUST WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I bought this book after seeing it on Facebook being touted by a friend of the author. I'm a fan of indies, so I decided to check it out. I'm going to try and not put any spoilers out there (which means this will be short and sweet!)
First, I'll say that I liked the writing a LOT. This author knows his stuff when it comes to dialogue that's real and pretty funny in lots of places. They chose to create a character who is as real as could be. He's not perfect but he's very, very smart. I liked the way the protagonist grew personally throughout the book (would have liked to see it emphasized more, even). I was smiling a lot as I read the dialogue between Simon and Isabella. I'd like to hang out with her. She's got a sharp wit and kind heart. The pacing was excellent with lots of sharp twists at the end. I loved the ending. I'm a sucker for surprise endings and this one didn't disappoint.
I would read more by this author and would recommend this book to someone who likes books with strong characters and witty dialogue.
This is a beautifully written book about a very difficult subject (Aspergers). In short it is about friendship and love in the midst of a complex story of magic and evil. Billy Bob Buttons is an unbelievably talented writer. He has exceeded his own very high standards. You will be stuck in this book until the end and you will be unhappy that it ended.
Excellent read.
A SURE winner!
Now and then, a book stands out; a book that the reader will remember in every detail. For example, Hobbit or Harry Potter. This book is one of them.
This is a very enjoyable, witty story with a sensitive side and a likeable, funny hero in Mop, who doesn't do hugs, needs his space and routines and know everything there is to know about nearly everything. The feisty Isabella acts as a sharply effective foil in two-handed dialogue that will make readers laugh. Without wishing to spoil the surprises I didn't see coming, I'll just say that with a seamless tone change, Billy Bob Buttons dares to take his story off in a direction I didn't expect, into darkly different territory...
I Think I Murdered Miss is a thought provoking book for children. It helps them, through story, to understand what it is to suffer for being a little different. This is a captivating tale that develops characters and plot beautifully in the first half of the book and then takes the reader by surprise in the second half and certain things are not quite what they seem. Did Simon Spittle really wish his teacher dead...killed by a bus?
Well written and researched.
I just hope this is the first book in the set as it ende on such a huge cliffhanger. Very amusing and very addictive. Gets my vote.
An inspiring read for any Young person.
Good stuff
This book is displayed in the town library with lots of info on how to vote in this award. So I thought I would. I read the first 2 chapters sitting in the library and to my surprise - I don't usually like mystery books - I discovered it was very good. So much so, I got it out. I'm now half way through and totally engrossed. So I thought I'd better stop and vote in case the voting closed.
A very moving story, funny and sad. Billy Bob Buttons understands aspergers and shows how tough it is for a boy with this problem to handle everyday school life.
An unusual mixture of high adventure, fantasy and beautiful prose.
Deserving Winner
I stod in line at my school for two hours to get a signed copy
Fab book
Read it. Loved it. Passed it on...
Best book in the awards.
Wonderfully funny book
Billy Bob Buttons visted my son's school last week and now all he wants to do is read. He gets me vote!!!
Fabulous and funny by a great author.
Loved the excerpt!
Billy Bob Buttons does not disappoint with this fun, entertaining book bringing us back to an age we all remember. Keep your eye out for this talented author who will continue to please readers.
A book with everything you would want in a children's story...or any story!
Excellent! Very funny!
strong writing and insightful.
Great fun! Imaginative and entertaining!
Wonderful story
Rriveting..... and what insight into this condition!
An enjoyable original story with a deeper meaning.
Excellent children's writer a book that children will love.
The 'splat' teacher was no different to mine when I was only 6 years old. In 1944!
Absolutely brilliant, funny, and just right!!!!
great book
Unforgetable read. Twists, turns and very memorable characters. A very deserving winner of the People's Book Prize.
Cool book
Read it with my children: 10 year old and a 13 year old. They liked it a lot.
The first book I ever downloaded off Smashwords. I'm now a fan of Billy Bob Buttons. The beginning is soooooo catchy and the ending is soooooooooooooooooo shocking. Read this book now!!!!!!!!
Fabulous story
Highly recommended. A fun read with a message.
I love all of his books
a worthy winner
Delightful, funny and dark,
A sensitive issue wrapped in a heart-warming story. Humour and an unexpected plot!
Had a very enjoyable evening with this book. Better than Christmas tv anyway.
This author is maturing. Much better than his Felicity Brady books.
Fab!
Exciting, fun, well-planned book for young children.
VG
I'd very much like to vote for this book for this award. It is a very deserving, imaginative read.
Wonderfully crafted story. Simon is memorable and the conversations between him and the cool girl, Isabella, priceless.
I think other kids will like this book very much, probably a lot.
Love this book
Sort of charming and sort of sad. My brother has aspergers and I recognized many of his odd ways in Simon. A deserving book. I wish it had been a little longer though. If there's a second book perhaps the author will then fill in a few of the blank spots. Gets my vote.
Well done!
Another triumph for BBB!
Well written, a gem of a children's book.
Briiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiilllllllllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A funny book with a lot to engage a child within the text, puzzles, words games and above all a way to explain Aspergers in a way children with understand. A great read.
I'm a big fan. This should win.
Super book for children
Just got it out of my library. A popular book right now. I had to wait a month!!!!! So far read half of it and now I know why. Unputdownable - is that a Word? Any, it's the best book I've read this month.
Very good. Fab start, lost it a bit in the middle, huge HUGE ending. Worthy Winner.
A book to get lost in.
I was dazzled by the first two chapters.
I was very impressed by this story. Good luck in the awards Billy Bob Buttons. G Fox
Fantastic page-turner.
The extract flows smoothly, an easy, entertaining read.
A worthy winner
I love the fact that the central character has Asperger's Syndrome, it brings such a fresh perspective and sensitivity to the narration of the story.
Such a sad ending!
Enjoyed this book over the weekend. I'm way too old for it but I loved it anyway. The author has successfully written a sensative, yet funny account of a boy with aspergers and his attempts to solve a mystery. Perfect for 11-14 year olds, maybe even older. The author is particularly good at not 'dumbing-down' the story and his descriptive work is lovely. Lots of twists too and a brilliant cliffhanger at the end. Good stuff!
A clever and engaging story which surprised me by taking off in an unexpected direction.
Hysterical and sweetly written.
A great book, really enjoyed reading this, refreshing storey.
Thrilling story set in the town of Trotswood. The boy, Simon, has Aspergers and the girl, Isabella, has lots of secrets. A fantastic ending. Cliffhanger. Will there be another book following this? The best bit is when Smon is trying to persuade Isabella to watch a Star Trek film with him. Really funny. I also liked it when they dressed up as clowns.
En mycket bra bok!
I read the ebook with my daughter and we both enjoyed it very much. The ending was a big surprise and the character and setting descriptions were written with a talented but light touch. I can recommend this book to any 8-14 year olds.
Just met Billy Bob Buttons. Odd name but fantastic book.
I just love the title :)
A charming story with two very memorable characters. I look forward to the sequel. JR
Billy Bob Buttons never disappoints with his unique and creative stories. And I have to admit, though I may be well above the intended age range, I still found myself laughing out loud at the snarky and humorous dialogue.
In this latest fanciful tale, we have Simon Spittle - ardent Star Trek fan and somewhat of a social outcast. Fed up with his uncharitable French teacher, he wishes out loud for her to be hit by a bus. And that same day...she is! Now everyone is looking at him as if he caused it to happen. But did he?
To make matters worse, the very next day he bestows the exact same wish upon the school bully after losing his temper. Simon's best friend, Isabella, insists that they keep an eye on the bully to make sure the same fate doesn't befall him as well. And from there the adventure really begins!
Full of unexpected surprises, hilarity and even a bit of dark humor, this book is another sparkling gem by the talented Mr. Buttons. (By the way, I'd love to see a sequel to this!)
:)
Lots of fun for the kids
I borrowed this book from my library for my 11 year old. She enjoyed it a lot. It is a breath of fresh air to see a boy with Aspergers as the hero in a children's story. She thought it was a very funny book but exciting too and she thinks Isabella is super-cool. Congratulations Mr Buttons; you managed to entertain my daughter, an almost impossible task! Good luck. Janet Wright
My family and I have enjoyed all of Billy Bob Button's books. I Think I Murdered Miss is his best so far.
This is such a funny book. I loved it.
Excellent