Three Pickled Herrings: Book Two

Wings & Co #2

by Sally Gardner, David Roberts (Illustrator)

At the Wings & Co. Fairy Detective Agency, Emily Vole and her friends are beginning to worry. It's been five months since their official opening, and they haven't had a single case! Then local landowner Sir Walter Cross dies in sudden and mysterious circumstances, and his case arrives right on their doorstep. And soon the detectives hear more baffling news: Mr. Rollo the tailor has mysteriously lost everything, and Pan Smith's wedding plans have been ruined the night before her big day. Now Wings & Co. has not one, but three pickled herrings to solve! Can they figure out who is stealing people's luck before things go too far?

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Middle Grade, Mystery, Juvenile, Fiction, Cats

208 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2013

About the author

AKA Wray Delaney

Sally Gardner grew up and still lives in London. Being dyslexic, she did not learn to read or write until she was fourteen and had been thrown out of several schools, labeled unteachable, and sent to a school for maladjusted children. Despite this, she gained a degree with highest honors at a leading London art college, followed by a scholarship to a theater school, and then went on to become a very successful costume designer, working on some notable productions.

After the births of twin daughters and a son, she started first to illustrate and then to write picture books and chapter books, usually with fairytale- or otherwise magical subject matter. She has been called 'an idiosyncratic genius' by London’s Sunday Times.

Reviews

[Fiebre Lectora · Rating 3 out of 5]

http://fiebrelectora.blogspot.com.es/...

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Изключително интересна!Всички в къщи и малки и големи очакваме с огромно нетърпение и останалите книжки от поредицата.

[John Naylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the series. I don't feel knowledge of book 1 is necessary to enjoy it.

A story about fairies (as opposed to a fairy story, goblins and magic. The language used would suit most 11 year olds and maybe advanced readers of a slightly younger age. The plot did feel slightly uneven to me. The pace is meandering except for a few scenes that just feel slightly rushed.

It is a good book for more advanced younger reader. It just doesn't stand out as one I would definitely recommend.

[Alexia🎀 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ce mi place seria asta

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily, Fidget and Buster are back, this time with the fairy detective agency, Wings & Co. operational! Except in their five months of opening they haven't had a case, until three cases appear within 24 hours! Fidget smells something fishy, and Emily's best detective senses are tingling that perhaps the case are intertwined, however, all of them are sure that someone from the fairy world is at the bottom of it all.

One of the reasons I enjoy Ms. Gardner's writing so much is she doesn't mind going for the unexpected, but it all feels very solidly based in fairy-world lore. She also doesn't mind going a bit dark, but she knows when to pull back so that the world isn't all gloom and doom and darkness; a little unexpected perhaps and a little morbid humor, but not as extreme as a typical Tim Burton film. In the end, though, she knows how fairy-tales are supposed to finish!

Content notes: No language issues, characters say "Buddleia" when expressing disappointment, which is a flowering bush (I've always known them as "butterfly bushes"), you can decide if that's an issue or not. No sensuality issues. Someone dies because of magic and gravity, and other violence is threatened (including petrification), but other than the death, no permanent injuries.

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful and funny book from Sally Gardner. I can't wait for more books for this series. :)

[Elizabeth Schwertfuehrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. Great read for 3rd grade and up (could be younger if ok w/a lot of text and few pictures.)
Can't wait for the next one!

[Mira de la curiosithèque · Rating 4 out of 5]

Libérée de ses affreux parents adoptifs, Millie vit désormais dans la boutique de la Compagnie des Ailes, en compagnie de Fishet, le chat, du désagréable Buster, des clefs et de l’ancienne lanterne d’Harpella. Il est temps de reprendre les activités de la boutique : les enquêtes ! Et voilà justement que plusieurs phénomènes étranges ont lieu, tous liés à la chance...
Bonus : la boutique qui n’en fait qu’à sa tête, un elfe bien intentionné mais qui fait boulettes sur boulettes, un teckel en costume de poisson, un chat qui tricote... Et que sais-je encore ? 😜

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wings & Co., The Fairy Detective agency has been open for five months, and so far not a single case. Three seemingly separate cases fall into the lap of Emily Vole, and her friends all at once. Elves, goblins, fairies, magic, excessive wishes being granted and murder are sure to keep Emily, Fidget, and Buster up to their ears in mystery, and the art of detection to solve each crime which all three seem to be interconnected to each other.

[Birdie Matern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and easy read.

[Pony · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was a really good book i would highly recommend this!

[Simona Gavrilut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its my favorite book

[theona_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

O carte frumoasa, primul volum mi-a placut mai mult sincera sa fiu. Dar cartea asta a fost frumoasa si uau.

[ale ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

very interesting book

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to read aloud for 3rd or 4th graders.

[Vera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es muy intrigante y me ha encantado. 🧚‍♂️🚶‍♀️

[Andreea Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este o carte minunată. Morala fiind,că orice familie este total diferită de orice familie. Dar și că daca ești părinte nu înseamnă că ești neapărat o persoană bună .

[Rebekah · Rating 2 out of 5]

So the opening chapter tells of this elderly man plummeting to his death. What a lovely way to start your story. For children. *sarcasm*

There's a character who makes all these wishes to change her appearance, and there's reference to 'nose jobs', 'liposuction', and 'having smaller/larger boobs', but then her fiancé misses all her 'lovely curves'. And then there's these magazine covers that are illustrated of topless men flexing their muscles and women of different shapes in their underwear. So that just all felt inappropriate for a kids' book.

I did however like the self-reflection of Buster, as he sees that he's pretty sulky and mean to everyone and wants to change. But I actually think everyone is really mean to him, and they don't see that they've been part of the problem too. It takes his change in attitude for them to be nice to him, and that seems a shame.

And these kids need some parents or some positive adults in their lives.

I don't think I'll bother continuing this series because I haven't enjoyed them at all.

CW:
-Lang - 'oh heck', 'buddleia' used in the place of 'b*gger' I presume.
-reference to 'boobs'
-illustrations of magazine covers with people in their underwear.

[Luna's Little Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

After falling head over heels in love with the first book in the series I couldn’t wait to get started on The Three Pickled Herrings. Like Emily I do miss the charming Miss String and I was happy that she wasn’t forgotten by the characters.

This book is the first mystery, or rather it’s three mysteries that might or might not be related. Look I’ll keep using words like ‘love’ ‘adore’ & ‘wonderful’ when it comes to these books so you might as well get you to it.

Living at Wings & Co. Fairy Detective Agency (which has the best library btw) isn’t quite turning out as Emily expected, her and Buster aren’t getting along. I actually appreciate this storyline – because instant friends don’t always happen and you can respect each other’s skills regardless. Also while Emily is certainly smart she doesn’t know everything so Fidget, Buster and Emily working together benefits them all.

The Three Pickled Herrings is a great sequel, the writing and language (particular Fidget’s fish-focused vocabulary) is perfection. I loved the way everything came together. Bring on book 3.

[Книжни Криле · Rating 5 out of 5]

Историята на Сали Гарднър е вдъхновяваща! Коя от всички ли? Е, да, детската писателка има редица книги зад гърба си, и до някаква степен всяка една от тях може да бъде наречена вдъхновяваща. Но ние говорим за НЕЯНАТА история – тази за живота на Сали Гарднър. Тежка��а дислекция, заради която е категоризирана като „сляпа за думите” не й позволява да се научи да чете чак до 14-годишна възраст. А днес Сали Гарднър е носителка на едни от най-престижните отличия за дет��ка литература, медалът „Карнеги” и наградата „Коста”, а книгите й (част от които тя илюстрира сама!) се превеждат на десетки езици, след които за наше голямо щастие е и българският. Днес ще ви представим нейната поредица „Криле & Ко.”, която достига до българските деца благодарение на нашите приятели от издателство „Рибка”. Прочетете ревмюто на "Книжни Криле":

https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the second in this series about a partnership between a fairy and a human. Emily Vole and Buster Ignatuius Spicer have an uneasy relationship partly because he resents her involvement in the Wings & Co. Fairy Detective Agency, but also partly because he is jealous of her abilities and feels guilty for his part in things getting messed up. In this title, the agency suddenly finds itself with three cases to solve: the disappearance of Sir Walter Cross, a tailor whose fortune has gone bad, and the messed up plans of Pan Smith. Can they possibly be related? The characters are interesting, and the antics of the elves and goblins are just what readers might expect if they are familiar with the fairy world. Readers who are just a wee bit too young for Harry Potter and Company may find this one intriguing.

[Carol Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Whimsical” is the word that best sums up this story, a fantasy/mystery featuring a detective agency made up of fairies and humans. It is the second in the series Wings & Company, featuring Emily Vole, Buster Spicer, Fidget the Cat, and Detective Cardwell. Suddenly, three separate cases appear for the agency to solve, after a long dry spell. They consist of one murder and two cases of stolen luck, and it turns out that they are all connected. Slowly, and with much word play and silliness, the detectives, endearing characters all, peel away the layers of mystery to solve all of them. Quite a bit of magic is involved, as well as goblins, elves, a living magic lamp, a six-foot talking cat, keys and houses with minds of their own, and plenty of fairies. This would be a good one to read to younger children and would also appeal to reluctant readers at the middle-school level.

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quickly becoming one of my favourite children's book series!

In book #2 of Wings & Co, The Fairy Detective Agency, Emily, Buster and Fidget, the cat, take on three mysterious new cases that somehow seem to be magically related. Everything reeks fishily of fairy work.

This one, too, was really exciting. I was anxiously anticipating how the cases would be solved and loved the ending. I love our heroine, Emily. She is clever, yet not boastful. Gardner somehow has created her own little story universe and I love it. New magical and unmagical characters are introduced and I look forward to seeing some of them in the sequels, hopefully. The way good and bad people are treated in this series often makes me smile to myself.

[María Parra Sánchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

un ejemplo de notable literatura infantil británica capaz de embelesar a todo niño pero también a todo adulto que no haya dejado escapar a su niño interior.
Una novela con misterio, humor, fantasía, ingenio, aventuras, dulzura, inocencia y unos personajes tan excéntricos como cautivadores que te llevaran de calle. Una lectura arrolladoramente deliciosa que te trasmite una sensación de cálido y mágico hogar, a la que espero que sigan muchas más historias. Y que además, intercala valores dignos de recuperar y una pequeña pero sabia dosis de crítica social.
http://librosmagicossonadores.blogspo...

[Cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this title is the second in a series, reading the first book is not necessary to understanding the story; the back story is sufficiently explained throughout the narrative. The reader will quickly pick up on the book’s country of origin, Britain, as the text and characters often use British phrasing. The story is often funny and includes a variety of magical characters. The pen-and-ink cartoon illustrations add to the story’s humor and are drawn well. Children in grades 3-5 could use this book to read for enjoyment and would appreciate it as a classroom read-aloud.

[Vojtěch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nevím, jestli je to tím, že se jedná o druhý díl a já ten první nečetl, ale při čtení Tří vypečených sleďů jsem měl pocit, že něco chybí. Nějaká jiskra, která by to zažehla. Místy to bylo opravdu dobré, ale zbytek je čistý průměr. Přesto nelituji, že jsem si knihu v knihovně vypůjčil. A asi navždy se mi vryje do paměti klení "To mi upeč sledě"!

[Ali George · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is 3.5 - 4, really, but because it didn't make me laugh as much as the first in the series I cruelly put it as a 3. It's more of the same really, with a bit more character development and a few new faces. Sally Gardner is wonderful, this is lots of fun.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still reading to find out... I wonder how many keys there are and how many sets of wings there are left to be returned. I'll have to go back and check, but I don't think the exact number is given. I suspect that the last key will be the reveal so I'll keep reading to find out.

[Jeannette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the first of the Wings and Co books and this one doesn't disappoint either. Read my full review here: http://www.jetowey.com/2013/02/three-...