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The Magnificent Lizzie Brown #1
The Magnificent Lizzie Brown and the Mysterious Phantom
A mysterious Phantom is terrorizing London, and when Lizzie realizes she has a talent that will let her stop the crimes before they happen, she and her new circus friends feel compelled to intervene. But when one of their own is blamed for the crimes instead, their investigation takes a turn for the worse.When the truth finally comes out, the real culprit is the last person anyone expects."
197 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
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166 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 1, 2015
At our Book Day at work, we had a visit from a lady called Helen who worked for Curious Fox publishing. She talked to us about all sorts of things from how the company works, getting published, the process books go through - all that sort of thing, but she also introduced us to some of the books they have out or coming out. Lizzie Brown was one of those and I could tell she was really excited about it, and the more I heard, the more I wanted to read it. Lucky for me she had a proof copy and I was very grateful to receive it.
Something about this book called out to me, because although I have coursework I should have been doing, and a stack of other books I should be reading I just had to pick this one up. And once I'd picked it up I read it in one sitting. Just a couple of hours later I was done and absolutely involved in Lizzie's world.
Lizzie lives in London in the 19th C, her dad tends to get drunk and she wants to make a life of her own, the chance comes and suddenly Lizzie is out on her own. Luckily for her she bumps into a travelling circus and makes friends with the crew. Taken in by them and adopted as one of the troupe Lizzie thinks her life is finally turning round. But then she hears about the mysterious 'phantom' - someone or something who is robbing houses and causing a stir, then Lizzie has a vision about him and suddenly Lizzie is more involved than she wanted to be. Now she has to stop the Phantom before he commits his next crime.
This book was fun and mysterious, it keeps you guessing as to who the Phantom could really be, I suspected at least three different characters before coming to the right conclusion. Lizzie herself is charming and determined, I love her energy and her outlook on life. She is a charming character that really captures your imagination and mixed with her friends the story really comes to life.
This book would be great for kids looking for a fun new adventure, I am going to try and get copies from the library when it's out to give the book group that I run a chance to read it. And I also think adults would enjoy the charm and atmosphere of the book. Really just a great read overall.
Something about this book called out to me, because although I have coursework I should have been doing, and a stack of other books I should be reading I just had to pick this one up. And once I'd picked it up I read it in one sitting. Just a couple of hours later I was done and absolutely involved in Lizzie's world.
Lizzie lives in London in the 19th C, her dad tends to get drunk and she wants to make a life of her own, the chance comes and suddenly Lizzie is out on her own. Luckily for her she bumps into a travelling circus and makes friends with the crew. Taken in by them and adopted as one of the troupe Lizzie thinks her life is finally turning round. But then she hears about the mysterious 'phantom' - someone or something who is robbing houses and causing a stir, then Lizzie has a vision about him and suddenly Lizzie is more involved than she wanted to be. Now she has to stop the Phantom before he commits his next crime.
This book was fun and mysterious, it keeps you guessing as to who the Phantom could really be, I suspected at least three different characters before coming to the right conclusion. Lizzie herself is charming and determined, I love her energy and her outlook on life. She is a charming character that really captures your imagination and mixed with her friends the story really comes to life.
This book would be great for kids looking for a fun new adventure, I am going to try and get copies from the library when it's out to give the book group that I run a chance to read it. And I also think adults would enjoy the charm and atmosphere of the book. Really just a great read overall.
September 1, 2016
Wat een leuk kinderboek! Lizzie Brown komt bij een circus terecht, wat ik sowieso een leuke sfeer vind. De gezelligheid, de hechte groep, het reizen. Daarnaast komt ze erachter dat ze paranormaal begaafd is. Ze kan het verleden en de toekomst zien. En in plaats van er alleen geld mee te verdienen, doet ze er ook nog iets goeds mee. Ze ontmaskert 'The Phantom', een dief in Londen, en 1 ding is zeker: wie de dader is, is zeker een verrassing! Ik had het niet zien aankomen en dat vind ik altijd het allerleukste. Ik ben oprecht aan het nadenken of ik misschien niet nog een deel ga lezen.
June 12, 2018
An amazing book. Definitely recommend it!
March 18, 2024
I mean this so genuinely, buy your children this quartet of books. They are for a much younger age-range, I'd say 7-11 year olds. But these were so formative to my youth. The casual showing of multiple cultures and ideas as well as the rather skillfull handling of dark topics such as child abuse.
The stories taught me about how not all villians are purely evil but instead victims of circumstance who deserve help. There is also a very strong theme of the struggle of the poor while the rich are careless with their wealth. I'd argue it's an important concept for children to have some understanding of, especially in this capitalist hellscape.
To top ALL of that off the characters are fun and engaging and the mysteries are genuinley exciting. I will still read these from time to time and honestly wish there were like 10 more.
The stories taught me about how not all villians are purely evil but instead victims of circumstance who deserve help. There is also a very strong theme of the struggle of the poor while the rich are careless with their wealth. I'd argue it's an important concept for children to have some understanding of, especially in this capitalist hellscape.
To top ALL of that off the characters are fun and engaging and the mysteries are genuinley exciting. I will still read these from time to time and honestly wish there were like 10 more.
Read
January 23, 2024I enjoyed this book thoroughly and as a middle school teacher I would highly recommend this to children aged 10-14 very engaging and keeps you interested till the very end. The plot was great and had me guessing until the end, the mysterious phantom I never would've guessed who it was if I hadn't read it. I have also read another book from the series ¨ The magnificent lizzie brown and the fairy child ¨ Also very engaging did not disappoint. I will definitely try and read the rest of the series as I recommend others to try as well.
September 23, 2019
I'm very pleasantly surprised by this series! The story is straightforward and not something to phone home about, but for a book targeted at youngsters, the quality of world and character building is impressive and very enjoyable. The atmosphere was so immersive and cozy and the characters so loveable/hateable that I couldn't stop reading, even between books! I literally finished book 1 and raced to the shelf to immediately swap it for the next installement. If you like Victorian mysteries and don't mind books aimed at a younger audience, this is highly recommended.
July 7, 2023
“I want it done by noon today. Now, what to write…” With his finger Fitzy traced the arch the new words would follow, speaking his thoughts aloud. “"The Magnificent Lizzie Brown,"” he declared. “There. How’s that sound to you, Lizzie?”
“Fantastic,” Lizzie said. “Absolutely blooming fantastic.”
September 10, 2017
I wanted a quick read and I though I would reread this book (I read it a couple years ago). It was fun to read, and definitely super easy to go through quickly. I enjoyed it :)
February 19, 2018
Great book, very gripping and a really spooky page turner.
February 10, 2022
Pretty good, bit slow start, but got good pretty fast.
December 6, 2023
This reminds me of something out of a 'Scooby Doo' episode. Not saying that makes it bad, it's an enjoyable, silly mystery.
March 14, 2017
A pleasing mystery and a good introduction to the series. I read this for work homework and it was enjoyable.
February 14, 2015
In Victorian London, Lizzie has finally had enough of her drunken father’s abuse. Running away from the desperation of the Rat’s Castle slums, she finds herself at a park where a circus has set up. Awed by the wonders she sees, Lizzie can’t believe her luck when the circus owner takes pity on her and hires her to be a general dogsbody to help out. She finds both friends and a safe place to sleep in the bareback riders’ caravan, and is soon immersed in the colorful life of the circus. By accident, she discovers she has the gift of second sight, and takes on the job as circus fortuneteller. When she sees something about the mysterious phantom, though, who has been robbing houses and killing people in London, Lizzie and her friends decide they need to do something about it—but what will it cost them?
I loved this one! It was a feast of sensory details and world-building (how can you help it with a circus?), none of which slowed down the pace at all. The book was excellently structured, and full of colorful (if somewhat two-dimensional) characters. Lizzie has depth, though, and the book is certainly not a light and fluffy adventure-—Lizzie and her friends endure prejudice from locals and police, and the opening scene with Lizzie and her drunken father shows exactly what Lizzie had to flee. The mystery is well done, and I was completely surprised by the villain (though on second thought, I shouldn’t have been—-which proves how well she fooled me!). An overall winner.
I loved this one! It was a feast of sensory details and world-building (how can you help it with a circus?), none of which slowed down the pace at all. The book was excellently structured, and full of colorful (if somewhat two-dimensional) characters. Lizzie has depth, though, and the book is certainly not a light and fluffy adventure-—Lizzie and her friends endure prejudice from locals and police, and the opening scene with Lizzie and her drunken father shows exactly what Lizzie had to flee. The mystery is well done, and I was completely surprised by the villain (though on second thought, I shouldn’t have been—-which proves how well she fooled me!). An overall winner.
December 31, 2016
What fun! Man, childhood me would have devoured tale of a girl who literally runs off to join the circus. We’re talking reading-while-walking type of obsession.
(To be fair to childhood me, adult me wasn’t much better at putting down this book)
After escaping from her abusive father, Lizzie Brown joins the circus – and discovers she has a sixth sense. Her fortune-telling gift quickly loses its luster when she begins getting visions of a criminal terrorizing London, a development that may land her in danger.
Quick moving, light on preachy lessons, and chock full of fun characters surrounding the resourceful Lizzie, I’m honestly shocked this book isn’t more popular. Lizzie is smart, kind, and awesome while also being age appropriate. The adults factor nicely into the story while still giving the children plenty of room to go on adventures and be heroes. No one’s dumbed down in order to make Lizzie awesome.
A warning that sensitive readings may be a bit shocked at the start of this story, which doesn’t shy away from depicting Lizzie’s father, who is both a drunk and abusive. Some parents might want to read that section with their children and be prepared for a conversation. The scene is necessary to establish Lizzie’s need to escape her home, but the stark depiction of the abuse admittedly surprised me.
Oh, I so hope the rest of the series is as good as its beginning. Highly recommended.
(To be fair to childhood me, adult me wasn’t much better at putting down this book)
After escaping from her abusive father, Lizzie Brown joins the circus – and discovers she has a sixth sense. Her fortune-telling gift quickly loses its luster when she begins getting visions of a criminal terrorizing London, a development that may land her in danger.
Quick moving, light on preachy lessons, and chock full of fun characters surrounding the resourceful Lizzie, I’m honestly shocked this book isn’t more popular. Lizzie is smart, kind, and awesome while also being age appropriate. The adults factor nicely into the story while still giving the children plenty of room to go on adventures and be heroes. No one’s dumbed down in order to make Lizzie awesome.
A warning that sensitive readings may be a bit shocked at the start of this story, which doesn’t shy away from depicting Lizzie’s father, who is both a drunk and abusive. Some parents might want to read that section with their children and be prepared for a conversation. The scene is necessary to establish Lizzie’s need to escape her home, but the stark depiction of the abuse admittedly surprised me.
Oh, I so hope the rest of the series is as good as its beginning. Highly recommended.
April 7, 2015
Lizzie Brown has escaped the slums of Victorian London and joined Fitzy's Travelling Circus. By accident, she discovers that she has an amazing ability: in a world of charlatans and tricksters, Lizzie may be the only truly clairvoyant palm reader in existence! While reading a client's palm, she sees shocking images of a masked man taking part in a violent robbery. Lizzie musters together her gang of circus children – the Penny Gaff Gang, all with their own amazing talents – to reveal the true identity of The Phantom robber.
We got hold of a promotional copy of this on Children's book day. My daughter and I were both keen to read it after hearing about it from the publisher.
We were not disappointed.
Lizzie is a spirited character. She is a bit reminiscent of a young Eliza Doolittle, with her 'Garn' and other Cockney phrases. {Incidentally, my mother was a genuine Cockney, and Lizzie's voice is pretty accurate.} The characters are all well rounded and realistic. The story is well paced.
It was a good read - one we are thinking of using with our Chatterbooks groups once it is readily available. It will appeal to both girls and boys, and is worth a read for adults too.
Highly recommended
We got hold of a promotional copy of this on Children's book day. My daughter and I were both keen to read it after hearing about it from the publisher.
We were not disappointed.
Lizzie is a spirited character. She is a bit reminiscent of a young Eliza Doolittle, with her 'Garn' and other Cockney phrases. {Incidentally, my mother was a genuine Cockney, and Lizzie's voice is pretty accurate.} The characters are all well rounded and realistic. The story is well paced.
It was a good read - one we are thinking of using with our Chatterbooks groups once it is readily available. It will appeal to both girls and boys, and is worth a read for adults too.
Highly recommended
April 10, 2015
This well-written novel will appeal to many readers, with engaging characters, descriptive but fast-paced prose, and an intriguing plot. Historical fiction does not always appeal to children, but the inclusion of psychic powers and a crime to solve will draw them into the world of Victorian London, which is very realistically drawn. The characters that make up the circus are a variety of nationalities without being stereotypical. The plot twist at the end is satisfying and believable. This is the first in a series of mysteries that fourth through sixth graders will be eager to read for enjoyment.
August 17, 2015
This was a really enjoyable book with an interesting story line, but don't be deceived - while the title is about the Phantom, and he is an aspect of the novel, he definitely isn't the whole focus of it. This book is just as much about Lizzie, her friends, and the circus as anything else - but still wildly enjoyable. I will definitely be recommending this!
October 22, 2016
Great start to a good series set in 19th century England. 12 year old Lizzie runs away from an awful home in the London slums and discovers a new home with a circus. She also discovers she is a true fortuneteller. Using these new powers she and her friends unmask a thief who has been stealing from the rich in a very sneaky way. I read book 2 first and it really helped to read book 1.
March 19, 2016
I will certainly read the other books and have a few kids in mind that I think will like her and her circus friends
May 12, 2019
Very good! I was drawn into the story but I also felt sorry for Lizzy who has such a violent father.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews