StudioCanal Television is diving into the mystery genre with a new kidlit adaptation.

The banner is adapting Murder Most Unladylike—a 12-book tween publishing franchise penned by Robin Stevens—as a six x 45-minute TV series. London-based indie studio Strong Film + TV (Majesty) and Stevens’ Unladylike Productions are also developing the project. StudioCanal Kids & Family will manage worldwide L&M rights.

Attached to write the script is Anna McCleery, who recently served as the lead writer on another female-led book-based detective show for tweens, The Lady Grace Mysteries for BBC and ZDF. And James Strong (Broadchurch) will direct.

First published by Puffin in 2014, the Unladylike series follows two smart teen girls in 1930s England who put on their detective hats to solve murders. The series has collectively sold more than 3.1 million copies worldwide, as well as earning awards including a 2015 Waterstones Children’s Book Prize and a Carnegie Medal nomination.

To reach a co-viewing audience and meet a steady market demand for mystery content, the new series is banking on a fast-paced tone, drawing inspiration from franchises like Enola Holmes. “The books are a rare and exciting blend of twisty Agatha Christie-style whodunnits, female empowerment, and glossy aspirational settings,” noted M-K Kennedy, MD of StudioCanal Television.

Murder Most Unladylike is also one of the first co-pros from in-house label StudioCanal Stories. Launched last year, this arm led by Sarah Reese Geffroy is focused on identifying literary works for screen adaptations.