About the Series
Dorothy the Accidental Sleuth is a fast-paced, high-stakes middle-grade adventure series inspired by real-life art heists—full of hidden codes, glamorous deceptions, and globe-spanning danger. At the center is 11½-year-old Dorothy Bradley, a bold, intuitive African American girl whose gift for noticing what others miss makes her a magnet for trouble—and a surprisingly skilled detective.
Dorothy Bradley is an intuitive 11½-year-old African American girl with a gift for noticing what others miss—and a habit of stumbling into danger. Smart, curious, and quietly grieving a family loss, she’s pulled into the world of high-stakes art crimes, where her courage and instincts make her an unlikely but unforgettable sleuth.
A World of Art, Culture & Mystery
From Oslo to Paris to Madrid, Dorothy and her cousins chase stolen masterpieces through iconic cities—each story blending thrilling mystery with art, history, and local culture.
Along the way, they grow as detectives and friends, uncovering not just lost art—but deeper truths about the world and themselves.
Author's Note
I created Dorothy Bradley for every kid who looks at the world and sees not just what is, but what could be—the joy of discovery, the pull of truth, the need for fairness, and the spark that makes life an adventure.
Dorothy isn’t your typical detective. She’s not the fastest or the strongest. She doesn’t carry spy gear or have secret training. What she does have is curiosity, courage, and a heart that refuses to walk away when something feels wrong. She notices things. She asks questions. And sometimes, that’s the most powerful kind of bravery there is.
As a writer, I’ve spent years exploring art, culture, and identity. But Dorothy lets me explore something even deeper: how we grow through experience, how we claim our own stories, and how young people—especially girls of color—deserve to see themselves as the heroes in spaces where they’ve too often been left out. Dorothy is universal—a mirror for every child, boy or girl, who longs to be seen.
Dorothy’s world is full of high-stakes adventures and twisty mysteries—but beneath every clue lies a quieter truth: art connects us. It tells us who we’ve been and who we might become. My hope is that Dorothy’s journey will do the same for you.
Whether you’re a reader, parent, educator, or someone simply following the clues—thank you for being part of this story. I can’t wait to share what’s next.
—Ron Shipmon