Set in the 1880s, the junior-fiction series began in 2011 and follows young girl Verity Sparks as she solves mysteries.

Ms Green said Verity popped in to her head one day while walking through Melbourne.

“It was my tenth published book but first one to get anywhere,” Ms Green said. 

“She just popped into my head while I was among the very imposing Victorian buildings near parliament house.

“I was thinking what it would be like to be young, poor, not-well connected and how imposing that would have been.”

Ms Green describes Verity Sparks as a girl who is sensible, brave, funny and doesn’t stand for any nonsense.

“I think it’s a nice combination. By (the third book) she is 14 or 15 and I didn’t want to have any teenage angst in it, so she is a sensible young woman that has had to earn her own living since she was about 10, as most kids did.”

Verity’s first adventure took place in London but she made her way to Melbourne and Mt Macedon in her second book.

Verity Sparks and the Scarlet Hand is set in Castlemaine. While Verity is on holidays, her governess and host are kidnapped by bushrangers.

Ms Green said she was fascinated by historical aspects and always wanted to bring Verity to Castlemaine.

“It took a long time to get her to Castlemaine but I always wanted her to get here,”

“I’ve used Buda (Historical House) in the story and The Hermitage in Barkers Creek that I have always admired. (Castlemaine silversmith and jeweller) Ernest Leviny also features in the story.”

Ms Green’s perseverance in bringing Verity Sparks to life paid off when her first adventure The Truth About Verity Sparks was shortlisted by the Children’s Book Council of Australia in 2012.

“I work in a book shop and was looking up the shortlisted books for the shop and read my own name and screamed,” Ms Green said.

“It was a tremendous and unexpected thrill and it sure helped with whole thing.”

Verity Sparks and the Scarlet Hand is out now. Find out more at www.veritysparks.com