Graphic Novel Review - 'Millie of the Manor' by Karina Evans (Writer), Andrea Bell (Artist)

For a kids' graphic novel in 2025 that's short, low stakes, nice, cute, modern, and realistic, read 'Millie of the Manor'.

It's not so simple and saccharine, nor is it so coy, as it features a young female protagonist with social anxiety. It affects her badly in her day-to-day life - the thought of other people looking at her and judging her terrifies her; she prefers no attention and expectations be put on her, thus she has trouble making friends at school, and can barely resist the temptation to merely miss out on exciting events with her peers. She goes to therapy for it.

With its "murder mystery" game setup, it quickly becomes apparent that 'Millie of the Manor' (the protag's name is actually Amy - Millie Morgan is a scientist character she plays in another girl's murder mystery birthday party) is like a grade school version of the movie, 'Clue'. But it is ultimately about friendship, group effort, gaining new experiences, coming out of your shell, dealing with social anxiety and anxiety attacks, overcoming fear of judgement, and play.

Simple, fun play. Play acting, the works. But don't immerse yourself in it too much and reject reality, and your true, awesome self.

There are no high stakes, no dark twists; just playing, and dealing with existing in a society and community. And finding your people, who like you for who you are. Who are nice to you, understand you, support you, and see you, and your strengths.

Friends embrace you. They lift you up. They make you like yourself, and want to build yourself up. They should not tear you down, and make you feel mocked, ashamed, worthless, small, and insignificant. They should not make you want to shrink into yourself.

I hope young Amy becomes a real, professional detective someday. Like in her 'Sherlock Holmes' books, her special interest.

I wanted to read 'Millie of the Manor' because of 'Crumble', another 2025 middle grade graphic novel, which is by the same artist, Andrea Bell. That's it. I'm glad the cute kiddie artwork is not all it has to offer, however. Though said artwork does make the adults look the same age as the kids a lot of the time. It's a very weird artistic flaw.

'Millie of the Manor' - it's 'Cluedo' (the board game) for young children, and first time graphic novel readers. A sweet, sensitive, caring, heartfelt, optimistic little story, that incorporates its mental health representation simply yet effectively. Like its main character, it is fine as it is. It needs nothing more to it, and it is not to be dismissed as less.

I recommend it.

Final Score: 3.5/5