Picture a Dutch storyteller who traded windmills for mountain views and spun mysteries that keep kids glued to the page—meet Fleur T. Bradley! This Netherlands-born author, now calling Colorado Springs home, has carved a niche in middle-grade fiction with her thrilling tales. From the spy-fueled Double Vision series to the spooky Midnight at the Barclay Hotel, Bradley’s stories blend humor, heart, and just the right amount of chills to captivate young readers and reluctant bookworms alike.
With a knack for crafting fast-paced plots and relatable characters, Bradley doesn’t just write—she inspires. Her school visits and conference talks champion literacy, turning even the most hesitant readers into mystery enthusiasts. Let’s dive into her journey, from her Dutch roots to her award-winning stories that echo Agatha Christie’s charm, kid-style.
The Making of Fleur T. Bradley
Born in the Netherlands, Fleur T. Bradley grew up with a love for puzzles and the twisty tales of Agatha Christie. As a young reader, she devoured Roald Dahl’s quirky stories, a spark that later fueled her own writing. After moving to Colorado Springs, she found herself juggling life as a stay-at-home mom. Craving something uniquely hers, she picked up a pen, starting with short mystery stories. Her first publication in a small magazine, The Storyteller, marked the beginning of a career that would soon delight young readers across the globe.
Bradley’s early years writing short fiction honed her craft, teaching her to pack suspense and humor into tight narratives. After a decade of short stories and several unpublished YA manuscripts, she found her sweet spot in middle-grade mysteries, debuting with Double Vision in 2012. Her Dutch heritage and Colorado backdrop subtly shape her work, grounding her stories in a sense of place and adventure.
Fleur T. Bradley’s Unforgettable Stories
Bradley’s books are like a rollercoaster for young readers—fast, fun, and full of surprises. Her Double Vision trilogy follows Linc Baker, a troublemaking 12-year-old who stumbles into a world of spies and secrets. In the first book, Double Vision, Linc’s prank-gone-wrong lands him in a mission to recover a missing Mona Lisa, blending humor with high-stakes action. The sequels, Code Name 711 and The Alias Men, take readers from Washington, D.C., to Hollywood, weaving history and wit into each caper.
Then there’s Midnight at the Barclay Hotel, a spooky mystery inspired by Colorado’s haunted Stanley Hotel. When JJ Jacobson’s mom is accused of murder at the eerie Barclay, he teams up with friends to crack the case, uncovering ghosts and secrets along the way. Critics, including Kirkus Reviews, praised its “enjoyable paranormal mystery imbued with social commentary.” Bradley’s latest, Daybreak on Raven Island, dives into a chilling Alcatraz-inspired setting, earning a spot on the 2024-25 Texas Bluebonnet List.
Bradley’s style is a masterclass in kid-friendly suspense. Her plots zip along with clever clues and quirky characters, while her focus on reluctant readers ensures accessibility. Drawing from Christie’s puzzle-like mysteries, she crafts stories that invite kids to solve alongside her heroes, making reading feel like a game.
Why Fleur T. Bradley Matters
Fleur T. Bradley’s impact goes beyond her page-turning plots. As a literacy advocate, she’s a rockstar at school visits, logging over 100 virtual sessions in 2020-21 alone. Her talks at conferences like the Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival share practical tips for reaching reluctant readers, a mission close to her heart as a former reluctant reader herself. Awards like the Colorado Book Award and SCBWI Crystal Kite for Midnight at the Barclay Hotel highlight her influence in middle-grade fiction.
By blending entertainment with education, Bradley inspires kids to see reading as an adventure. Her stories, packed with diverse settings and relatable heroes, open doors for young readers to explore new worlds. Whether it’s cracking codes with Linc or ghost-hunting at the Barclay, she’s shaping a generation of mystery lovers and budding writers.
- Birthplace: Netherlands
- Key Works: Double Vision trilogy, Midnight at the Barclay Hotel, Daybreak on Raven Island
- Awards: Colorado Book Award, SCBWI Crystal Kite Award
- Fun Fact: Lives with her family and “entirely too many cats” in Colorado Springs
Snag Midnight at the Barclay Hotel or the Double Vision trilogy and dive into Fleur T. Bradley’s thrilling world of mysteries! Her stories are the perfect mix of spooky, smart, and super fun—your next favorite read is waiting.