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Twelve Minutes to Midnight #3
La cospirazione del corvo nero
È il 1902. Londra sta aspettando l'incoronazione del nuovo re e ignora la guerra che incombe. Penelope ha il blocco dello scrittore, deve assolutamente trovare una nuova, sensazionale storia per la rivista, altrimenti il Penny Dreadful sarà costretto a chiudere i battenti. Ma tutto cambia con l'arrivo di una misteriosa lettera in redazione, che contiene la confessione di un crimine impossibile. Penelope pensa di aver trovato una storia perfetta per i propri lettori: il furto dei gioielli della Corona da parte del diabolico Corvo Nero. Apparizioni spettrali, rapimenti e tradimento: tutti gli ingredienti per una grande storia, ma forse la verità è ben più reale...
278 pages, Hardcover
First published January 9, 2014
18 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 1, 2024
3.5
Basta citare i Penny Dreadful e avete tutta la mia attenzione.
Se poi aggiungete elementi scientifici come la radioattività e il personaggio di Marie Curie mi avete conquistata.
Fate apparire Arthur Conan Doyle e mi avete persa.
Insomma, questo romanzo per ragazzi si è rivelato un avvincente mash-up di argomenti diversi che sembrano cozzare tra loro ma che a livello storico andavano a pari passo, così come i battibecchi tra l’Inghilterra e la Germania.
Certo, non è una storia perfetta e molte scelte narrative mi hanno lasciato perplessa, ma ciò non toglie che ha un buon ritmo e riesce a mantenere vivo l’interesse, oltre che inserire fin troppi easter egg.
Le atmosfere cupe si sentono tutte e la parte mistery è gestita molto bene.
Nota positiva anche per i personaggi tra cui spicca Penny, la protagonista, e la vera autrice dei Penny Dreadful. Non dimentichiamo Alfie, la sua spalla e ragazzo tutto fare (e io spero sempre in una loro ship) e lo zio Monty, attore che fa finta di essere lo scrittore più venduto del secolo.
Sì, perché all’epoca le donne non potevano dirigere una rivista letteraria ecc ecc Insomma, avete capito.
Per quanto l’abbia apprezzato, ammetto che avrei preferito meno elementi moderni all’interno della narrazione. L’idea in sé era buona, ma ciò ha un po’ mitigato le atmosfere gotiche che arricchivano il romanzo.
E per concludere devo fare una piccola nota della vergogna: nella mia testa credevo che questa trilogia fosse composta da autoconclusivi (lo è) e che non importava l’ordine di lettura… in realtà questo è il terzo e si nota. Quindi sì, l’ho letta a ritroso, ma se volete recuperarla fatelo nell’ordine giusto se non siete caotici come la sottoscritta.
Consigliata a un pubblico teen ma anche ai grandi.
Basta citare i Penny Dreadful e avete tutta la mia attenzione.
Se poi aggiungete elementi scientifici come la radioattività e il personaggio di Marie Curie mi avete conquistata.
Fate apparire Arthur Conan Doyle e mi avete persa.
Insomma, questo romanzo per ragazzi si è rivelato un avvincente mash-up di argomenti diversi che sembrano cozzare tra loro ma che a livello storico andavano a pari passo, così come i battibecchi tra l’Inghilterra e la Germania.
Certo, non è una storia perfetta e molte scelte narrative mi hanno lasciato perplessa, ma ciò non toglie che ha un buon ritmo e riesce a mantenere vivo l’interesse, oltre che inserire fin troppi easter egg.
Le atmosfere cupe si sentono tutte e la parte mistery è gestita molto bene.
Nota positiva anche per i personaggi tra cui spicca Penny, la protagonista, e la vera autrice dei Penny Dreadful. Non dimentichiamo Alfie, la sua spalla e ragazzo tutto fare (e io spero sempre in una loro ship) e lo zio Monty, attore che fa finta di essere lo scrittore più venduto del secolo.
Sì, perché all’epoca le donne non potevano dirigere una rivista letteraria ecc ecc Insomma, avete capito.
Per quanto l’abbia apprezzato, ammetto che avrei preferito meno elementi moderni all’interno della narrazione. L’idea in sé era buona, ma ciò ha un po’ mitigato le atmosfere gotiche che arricchivano il romanzo.
E per concludere devo fare una piccola nota della vergogna: nella mia testa credevo che questa trilogia fosse composta da autoconclusivi (lo è) e che non importava l’ordine di lettura… in realtà questo è il terzo e si nota. Quindi sì, l’ho letta a ritroso, ma se volete recuperarla fatelo nell’ordine giusto se non siete caotici come la sottoscritta.
Consigliata a un pubblico teen ma anche ai grandi.
December 14, 2018
I noticed in the reviews of the first two books in this trilogy I noted that the author was a great story-teller but not such a great writer. In this book, the story isn't quite as intriguing, but the author has evolved as a writer, so the end result is a much stronger book.
May 29, 2018
This is a children’s book series I started years ago when I used to teach reading to adults who never learned. It’s a great series for children and the two stars are only because this one dragged a bit and wasn’t as interesting as the other two. It seemed like a bit of a throwaway book. Something to finish the series with.
November 11, 2018
This is a great book for young readers to get into mystery books. While adults can enjoy it, it is an obvious middle grade book. It is a fun, light read that keeps you engaged and curious about how Penelope Tredwell solves the mystery.
June 26, 2021
Not a fan, primarily because I like stories with detailed characters that change over the course of events. Mysteries/thrillers usually focus more on plot than character development. An okay book overall, but not MY cup of tea.
September 1, 2020
At times heavy handed verging on caricature, but to be expected with middle grade fiction. Good as a low-key library read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2021
As ever Miss Tredwell and her uncle have a rousing adventure and manage to save the day again.
August 15, 2022
Interesting book
July 13, 2023
Più libri per ragazzi così, per favore 🤩
January 14, 2014
The Black Crow Conspiracy is the last in a trilogy of historical-alternate-history-mystery-horror-paranormal tales that started with Twelve Minutes to Midnight, and continued with Shadows of the Silver Screen. Although I commented that the first two books started more slowly (which is not a negative), this is not the case for The Black Crow Conspiracy which starts with glowing phantasms stealing the Crown Jewels within the first few pages.
Two years have passed since Shadows of the Silver Screen, and Penelope Tredwell is now nearly sixteen and suffering writer’s block. Sales of The Penny Dreadful have fallen without Montgomery Flinch’s stories and things are looking bleak until Penny hits on the idea of asking the public for plot ideas, as a competition.
Little does Penny know that the ‘fake confession’ she uses as the basis for a thrilling tale turns out to be real, and before she knows it Montgomery Flinch has been arrested for treason. This starts a thrilling hunt for the real Black Crow, with a backdrop of Edward VII’s coronation, stolen Crown Jewels, missing royalty, hints of the First World War, and state-of-the-art science.
The radiant boys come straight from a 1950′s B-movie. It would give too much away to say how they fit into the plot, but it’s a fun idea used to great effect and tinged with the mild horror you’d expect from a Penelope Tredwell novel.
Our heroine is back to full force after being slightly weakened in Shadows of the Silver Screen, and all the supporting cast are all included, but this is very much Penelope’s story. This is the last of the trilogy, something that you can guess from the last chapter, but there’s plenty of scope for more tales to fill the two years between Shadows and Black Crow if the author chooses to return to this world.
I am very fond of the Twelve Minutes to Midnight trilogy. One of the things that particularly appeals to me is that they are stories with a female protagonist which can appeal to boys and girls equally. There is much written about how boys will only read books about boys, whereas girls will read either, used as an excuse for main characters being predominantly male.
Even if this is true, Penelope Tredwell is a character who transcends stereotypes. She is absolutely female, not a male part with a girl’s name tacked on, and deals with the prejudices of her time because of this. The plots aren’t stereotypical either, and don’t fit a single genre so have wide appeal.
The alternative-history theme is a gateway to discovering more about the times written about, and the use of real-life historical figures gives a starting block for those discoveries. As my daughters are only six and four, these are not books for them to read yet, but I will be keeping ‘my’ copies to pass on and can’t wait to find out what inspiration they will give.
Review first appeared: http://childledchaos.me.uk/2014/01/14...
Two years have passed since Shadows of the Silver Screen, and Penelope Tredwell is now nearly sixteen and suffering writer’s block. Sales of The Penny Dreadful have fallen without Montgomery Flinch’s stories and things are looking bleak until Penny hits on the idea of asking the public for plot ideas, as a competition.
Little does Penny know that the ‘fake confession’ she uses as the basis for a thrilling tale turns out to be real, and before she knows it Montgomery Flinch has been arrested for treason. This starts a thrilling hunt for the real Black Crow, with a backdrop of Edward VII’s coronation, stolen Crown Jewels, missing royalty, hints of the First World War, and state-of-the-art science.
The radiant boys come straight from a 1950′s B-movie. It would give too much away to say how they fit into the plot, but it’s a fun idea used to great effect and tinged with the mild horror you’d expect from a Penelope Tredwell novel.
Our heroine is back to full force after being slightly weakened in Shadows of the Silver Screen, and all the supporting cast are all included, but this is very much Penelope’s story. This is the last of the trilogy, something that you can guess from the last chapter, but there’s plenty of scope for more tales to fill the two years between Shadows and Black Crow if the author chooses to return to this world.
I am very fond of the Twelve Minutes to Midnight trilogy. One of the things that particularly appeals to me is that they are stories with a female protagonist which can appeal to boys and girls equally. There is much written about how boys will only read books about boys, whereas girls will read either, used as an excuse for main characters being predominantly male.
Even if this is true, Penelope Tredwell is a character who transcends stereotypes. She is absolutely female, not a male part with a girl’s name tacked on, and deals with the prejudices of her time because of this. The plots aren’t stereotypical either, and don’t fit a single genre so have wide appeal.
The alternative-history theme is a gateway to discovering more about the times written about, and the use of real-life historical figures gives a starting block for those discoveries. As my daughters are only six and four, these are not books for them to read yet, but I will be keeping ‘my’ copies to pass on and can’t wait to find out what inspiration they will give.
Review first appeared: http://childledchaos.me.uk/2014/01/14...
February 28, 2014
Reviewed by author, KM Lockwood for www.serendipityreviews.co.uk.
The cover artwork by Eric Orchard reflects the tone of this 1902 set adventure story. There’s a spooky atmosphere with dark hues and period detail, but also plenty to engage the contemporary reader.
We are given a likeable, inventive and patient heroine in the writer Penelope Tredwell who keeps her cool through a sequence of exciting predicaments. There’s an appealing array of early 20th century historical events given a rather different spin and overall, it’s an enjoyable thriller.
You could imagine it filmed as a serial for Saturday morning cinema once-upon-a-time – full of cliff-hangers and thrilling escapes and mysteries. The relationship between Penelope, Alfie her assistant and the actor playing Montgomery Flinch gives plenty of warmth and humour to the adventures.
This book would suit a wide range of confident readers – the lightness with which it is written means that the perils shown are unlikely to upset even the most sensitive of souls – yet there is a pleasurable frisson from the more ghostly aspects.
You don’t need to have read the two previous stories - but I expect those who have will find the ending of this one particularly satisfying.
Ideal for when you want a good, fast, escapist read in a less-than-obvious time period.
The cover artwork by Eric Orchard reflects the tone of this 1902 set adventure story. There’s a spooky atmosphere with dark hues and period detail, but also plenty to engage the contemporary reader.
We are given a likeable, inventive and patient heroine in the writer Penelope Tredwell who keeps her cool through a sequence of exciting predicaments. There’s an appealing array of early 20th century historical events given a rather different spin and overall, it’s an enjoyable thriller.
You could imagine it filmed as a serial for Saturday morning cinema once-upon-a-time – full of cliff-hangers and thrilling escapes and mysteries. The relationship between Penelope, Alfie her assistant and the actor playing Montgomery Flinch gives plenty of warmth and humour to the adventures.
This book would suit a wide range of confident readers – the lightness with which it is written means that the perils shown are unlikely to upset even the most sensitive of souls – yet there is a pleasurable frisson from the more ghostly aspects.
You don’t need to have read the two previous stories - but I expect those who have will find the ending of this one particularly satisfying.
Ideal for when you want a good, fast, escapist read in a less-than-obvious time period.
April 8, 2017
I am a huge fan of the Penelope Tredwell series. I love her as character and I love the stories with her involved as they are always action packed and exciting. This book was no exception.
The black crow conspiracy was Penny's most exciting adventure yet. I must admit for the outset the pace of the adventure is exciting. I loved the Victorian setting and getting back into Penny's wold. I loved the cameos from a variety of historical figures and for the most part the historical geek inside of me was terribly excited as I read this book. I've said before when reading this series that I love Penny and her feistiness to bits. She is a brilliant female role model and I want more characters like her to be written about.
The only reason I'm not giving this five stars is the fact that there was certain parts of the story and certain characters used in a way that annoyed the historian in me a little bit. Not enough to put in into a full refusal to read it rage (I've been there with other books) but enough to just niggle at me and I think that is mostly because I teach this stuff and am stupidly picky.
All in all however a series I love and would happily recommend for those who love historical adventures.
The black crow conspiracy was Penny's most exciting adventure yet. I must admit for the outset the pace of the adventure is exciting. I loved the Victorian setting and getting back into Penny's wold. I loved the cameos from a variety of historical figures and for the most part the historical geek inside of me was terribly excited as I read this book. I've said before when reading this series that I love Penny and her feistiness to bits. She is a brilliant female role model and I want more characters like her to be written about.
The only reason I'm not giving this five stars is the fact that there was certain parts of the story and certain characters used in a way that annoyed the historian in me a little bit. Not enough to put in into a full refusal to read it rage (I've been there with other books) but enough to just niggle at me and I think that is mostly because I teach this stuff and am stupidly picky.
All in all however a series I love and would happily recommend for those who love historical adventures.
February 1, 2016
The Black Crow Conspiracy is a fun read aimed at readers in middle school, but still very much able to be enjoyed by older readers as well. It tells the tale of Penelope Tredwell, who is secretly the writer behind the immensely popular Montgomery Flinch stories in her family's magazine, the Penny Dreadful.
But Penelope has writer's block, until an anonymous letter provides inspiration for a thrilling new story about the theft of the Crown Jewels. All seems well, until the police arrive, insisting that Penelope's story is truth rather than fiction. Desperate to clear her magazine's name, Penelope begins her own investigation, but soon encounters a mysterious science society that seems to have ties to the recent sightings of "radiant boys", glowing green men who can walk through walls.
The Black Crow Conspiracy takes the thrilling penny dreadful stories of the past, and makes them family friendly, weaving together a strong and smart female protagonist, some history, and a supernatural flair. This is the kind of book I would recommend for a school library to not only get kids interested in reading, but to give girls a heroine they can look up to.
But Penelope has writer's block, until an anonymous letter provides inspiration for a thrilling new story about the theft of the Crown Jewels. All seems well, until the police arrive, insisting that Penelope's story is truth rather than fiction. Desperate to clear her magazine's name, Penelope begins her own investigation, but soon encounters a mysterious science society that seems to have ties to the recent sightings of "radiant boys", glowing green men who can walk through walls.
The Black Crow Conspiracy takes the thrilling penny dreadful stories of the past, and makes them family friendly, weaving together a strong and smart female protagonist, some history, and a supernatural flair. This is the kind of book I would recommend for a school library to not only get kids interested in reading, but to give girls a heroine they can look up to.
August 22, 2015
I find that it took me quite a long time to finish this book, because I just kept not reading it. It was strange because, It wasn't a bad book, and I didn't dread returning to it each time, but I also didn't crave it between reading sessions like I generally do with good books. There were just other things I would rather have done than continue reading the book; so I did.
As I said, it's not a bad book. It is a children's book (listed as J not YA), which continues with the adventures of Penelope Tredwell. I thought it was quite suspenseful for a children's book, but, ultimately, fairly predictable. Children would probably be less able to predict the plot twists; so they should enjoy it more than I did. They will probably also not be annoyed at the stupid decisions made by the children in the story, as I was.
As I said, it's not a bad book. It is a children's book (listed as J not YA), which continues with the adventures of Penelope Tredwell. I thought it was quite suspenseful for a children's book, but, ultimately, fairly predictable. Children would probably be less able to predict the plot twists; so they should enjoy it more than I did. They will probably also not be annoyed at the stupid decisions made by the children in the story, as I was.
November 8, 2019
Loved this! The last one was good but this was even better. A great blend of historical fiction and steampunk. And of course Penelope saves the day again.
March 15, 2015
Really good, awesome female heroine/spy person. Unfortunately I didn't know that this was the third book... XD
did-not-finish
December 9, 2015I hate not finishing a book, but the writing is painfully bad and I just can't take anymore. Too bad I didn't realize it was the third book in a series; I wouldn't even have picked it up.
February 22, 2016
A wonderful intermingling of history and science in this detective novel which is a perfect read for a young audience, as well as nostalgic adults.
October 14, 2016
Nice finale to the trilogy which I was really enthralled with altogether. Would recommend this series over and over to all fans of this genre.
December 31, 2016
It was a very good book. I especially liked the end when she decided to write a story as herself and not Montgomery Flinch
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews