What do you think?
Rate this book
Timeslip #3
The Ivory Rose
A timeslip tale of mystery, murder, and trying to find the way home
Georgie’s sad. She wants me to help her. Can’t you see her, Jemma? She’s right there.
Jemma has just landed her first babysitting job, in one of the famous Witches’ Houses. Sammy says it’s haunted, but Jemma doesn’t know what to believe. One day Jemma discovers an ivory rose charm. As she touches it she sees a terrifying flashback. Is it the moment the ghost girl was murdered? Jemma runs away but tumbles down the stairs. She wakes up in 1895, unable to get home. Jemma becomes a maid—but all is not well in the grand house. Jemma begins to suspect that the young heiress, Georgiana, is being poisoned. Now she must find the proof and rescue her friend—before time runs out.
Georgie’s sad. She wants me to help her. Can’t you see her, Jemma? She’s right there.
Jemma has just landed her first babysitting job, in one of the famous Witches’ Houses. Sammy says it’s haunted, but Jemma doesn’t know what to believe. One day Jemma discovers an ivory rose charm. As she touches it she sees a terrifying flashback. Is it the moment the ghost girl was murdered? Jemma runs away but tumbles down the stairs. She wakes up in 1895, unable to get home. Jemma becomes a maid—but all is not well in the grand house. Jemma begins to suspect that the young heiress, Georgiana, is being poisoned. Now she must find the proof and rescue her friend—before time runs out.
288 pages, Paperback
First published May 2, 2011
22 people are currently reading
430 people want to read
About the author
Belinda Murrell
43 books109 followersBelinda Murrell has worked as a travel journalist, technical writer, editor and public relations consultant. Her overseas adventures inspired her work as a travel writer for the West Australian newspaper and Out & About With Kids travel magazine. Her work has also appeared in the Sun Herald, Sunday Telegraph and Sydney Morning Herald. While Belinda studied Children's Literature at Macquarie University, her passion for children's books was reignited when she had her own three children and began telling and writing stories for Nick, Emily and Lachlan. Belinda's books include the Sun Sword fantasy trilogy, Scottish timeslip tale The Locket of Dreams, French Revolution timeslip tale The Ruby Talisman Australian timeslip tale The Ivory Rose and Australian historical tales The Forgotten Pearl and The River Charm.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
January 24, 2018
This is how you do middle grade historical fiction.
Before The Ivory Rose, I had never read any of Murrell's work, but now I want to read more. Before The Ivory Rose, I had never read any works set in 1800s Australia, but now I crave more. This is a fantastic, fantastic novel.
The plot moves at an enjoyable pace, the characters are dynamic and interesting. There is a slight hint at romance, but nothing overt. It's fun, it's well-written, it's not problematic; I really have no complaints. The would-be-murderer may have been easy for me to guess, but then again, I'm not the target audience.
Without hesitation I would recommend The Ivory Rose to younger readers, and though its on the simpler side of construction and narrative, I would also recommend it to anyone who enjoys middle grade novels.
Before The Ivory Rose, I had never read any of Murrell's work, but now I want to read more. Before The Ivory Rose, I had never read any works set in 1800s Australia, but now I crave more. This is a fantastic, fantastic novel.
The plot moves at an enjoyable pace, the characters are dynamic and interesting. There is a slight hint at romance, but nothing overt. It's fun, it's well-written, it's not problematic; I really have no complaints. The would-be-murderer may have been easy for me to guess, but then again, I'm not the target audience.
Without hesitation I would recommend The Ivory Rose to younger readers, and though its on the simpler side of construction and narrative, I would also recommend it to anyone who enjoys middle grade novels.
July 15, 2011
I really enjoyed this story. Set in Annandale Sydney, Murrell makes the early days of this suburb come alive. The timeslip nature of the adventure is lovely and I particularly enjoyed the ending.
September 18, 2016
I like this book but what confuses me is that when she goes to the past and then she comes back Georgie is not dead anymore. Like, how does that happen?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2012
In the book, the ivory rose, a little girl called Sammy and her mother live in a old house, that is said to be haunted. The main character, Jemma first started earning her own money by babysitting Sammy, because Sammy's mother is very busy working on their new house. When Sammy and Jemma spend time together, Sammy always talks about a little girl called Georgia haunting the house, and mysterious things happen. However, Jemma does not want to believe that these strange happenings have anything to do with a ghost living in that old house. Until one day, when Jemma and Sammy were playing hide and seek and suddenly Jemma get's thrown down the stairs and sees her actual body lying on the floor, being taken care of by Sammy's mom when her soul/ghost seems to be flying above everyone else and waking up in a completely different world at a completely different time with completely different people. Jemma soon finds out that the time she is living in now is the time "Georgia" still lived. Can Jemma save Georgia from dying again and stop her from haunting the house that Jemma, in her world, baby sits in?
I think that this book is very interesting and keeps the reader reading as I wanted to constantly find out what is going to happen next. All of the things that happen build on that question if Georgia will survive this time. I can really recommend this book to those who like completely normal stories that have a spooky and mysterious side.
I think that this book is very interesting and keeps the reader reading as I wanted to constantly find out what is going to happen next. All of the things that happen build on that question if Georgia will survive this time. I can really recommend this book to those who like completely normal stories that have a spooky and mysterious side.
August 6, 2014
The Ivory Rose by Belinda Murrell is dubbed a gothic mystery. This whole historical series with each title using an object which transports the main character to the past gives modern readers a bird's eye view of social history through the eyes of a character like them, a view they may never appreciate otherwise. The research is excellent and the level of detail is high but never boring as there is always something happening, and in The Ivory Rose, a mystery to solve, a life to save. Belinda Murrell is certainly a storyteller. I was a history fan at this age and could imagine myself in a historical period without the the help of time slips but this method would help those who think history is boring -- without realising it they will learn amazing facts about 1890s Sydney in The Ivory Rose. The series is beautifully branded with great covers, website, even a magazine about the books and author with activities and author notes. I've started the River Charm which tells the story of Belinda Murrell's (and Kate Forsyth's) ancestor Charlotte Waring Atkinson who wrote the first Australian children's book, A Mother's Offering to her Children.
July 25, 2011
A beautiful tale of fun, hard-work and friendship. The Ivory Rose encourages people to make the most of their opportunities and to stand up for what they believe in. Most importantly, it teaches people about love.
Belinda Murrell truly has a grasp on these kind of stories. She weaves those colourful words, and turns it into a beautiful story.
Belinda Murrell truly has a grasp on these kind of stories. She weaves those colourful words, and turns it into a beautiful story.
August 14, 2013
Such a good book!
April 14, 2018
I LOVE anything time-travel related, and it's always so lovely to read a book set in Australia! I will definitely continue to read Murrell's work.
Review coming on theteacherslibrary.org
Review coming on theteacherslibrary.org
November 17, 2015
Influenced by the front cover and the blurb at the back to believe this was a YA book, I was surprised by the style of writing. The comparative sweetness and innocence of the characterisation, particularly at the start, was so much more suited to a children's book. Eventually I realised this was a book for girls between 9 and 12 years old and I was able to adjust my thinking: Jemma's family was almost cloying until that point.
Around about halfway through, this book becomes absorbing. Its historical backdrop which includes such intriguing and eclectic items as a 'baby farmer', Henry Parkes - the so-called 'Father of Federation', arsenic wafers for cosmetics and the gothic architecture of old Sydney lifts the book out of the ordinary.
The Ivory Rose is a timeslip adventure. Jemma gets her first job, babysitting a young girl named Sammy who lives with her artist mother in an old 'haunted' mansion called Rosethorne. Sammy claims to be able to see Georgie - a girl, invisible to Jemma - who needs help. The ghost of Georgie appears when Jemma finds an ivory charm in the shape of a rose. Jemma sees a terrifying flash: almost a vision of a murder.
Scared, she runs - intending to go home. Instead she falls down the stairs. And when she regains consciousness, she's in 1895. Unable to find her way back through time, she becomes 'Jemima' and accepts work as a servant in Rosethorne where the young and ailing heiress, Georgiana Rose Thornton, is cared for by her obsessively protective aunt, a grouchy maid Agnes, a slight serving girl, Connie, and the stable boy, Ned.
Jemima throws Georgie's medication out and she rapidly gets better. Could the mixture be contaminated?
Jemima, exhausted by the daily routine of a servant, can't convince the doctor there's anything suspicious about arsenic for rat bait in the kitchen. She's sure Georgie is being poisoned but it seems impossible to get anyone to believe her.
I loved the repeated references to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
Around about halfway through, this book becomes absorbing. Its historical backdrop which includes such intriguing and eclectic items as a 'baby farmer', Henry Parkes - the so-called 'Father of Federation', arsenic wafers for cosmetics and the gothic architecture of old Sydney lifts the book out of the ordinary.
The Ivory Rose is a timeslip adventure. Jemma gets her first job, babysitting a young girl named Sammy who lives with her artist mother in an old 'haunted' mansion called Rosethorne. Sammy claims to be able to see Georgie - a girl, invisible to Jemma - who needs help. The ghost of Georgie appears when Jemma finds an ivory charm in the shape of a rose. Jemma sees a terrifying flash: almost a vision of a murder.
Scared, she runs - intending to go home. Instead she falls down the stairs. And when she regains consciousness, she's in 1895. Unable to find her way back through time, she becomes 'Jemima' and accepts work as a servant in Rosethorne where the young and ailing heiress, Georgiana Rose Thornton, is cared for by her obsessively protective aunt, a grouchy maid Agnes, a slight serving girl, Connie, and the stable boy, Ned.
Jemima throws Georgie's medication out and she rapidly gets better. Could the mixture be contaminated?
Jemima, exhausted by the daily routine of a servant, can't convince the doctor there's anything suspicious about arsenic for rat bait in the kitchen. She's sure Georgie is being poisoned but it seems impossible to get anyone to believe her.
I loved the repeated references to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
Read
September 11, 2011The Ivory Rose is a time-slip adventure story.
Jemma can’t help but feel a bit freaked out when she babysits at Rosethorne, an old mansion. Supposedly the mansion is haunted and Jemma is nervous about the presence of an invisible friend. One day Jemma finds a beautiful ivory rose locket, and is transported back in time. There Jemma is taken in by Miss Rutherford, to work as a maid. Jemma soon befriends Georgiana, a young girl who lived at Rosethorne many years ago. Miss Rutherford is very over protective of Georgiana, as the girl is sick frequently. Jemma must discover why Georgiana is constantly sick, in order to save her. This book comes to a thrilling and totally unexpected conclusion!
Read full review at http://athousandwordsfestival.com.au/...
Jemma can’t help but feel a bit freaked out when she babysits at Rosethorne, an old mansion. Supposedly the mansion is haunted and Jemma is nervous about the presence of an invisible friend. One day Jemma finds a beautiful ivory rose locket, and is transported back in time. There Jemma is taken in by Miss Rutherford, to work as a maid. Jemma soon befriends Georgiana, a young girl who lived at Rosethorne many years ago. Miss Rutherford is very over protective of Georgiana, as the girl is sick frequently. Jemma must discover why Georgiana is constantly sick, in order to save her. This book comes to a thrilling and totally unexpected conclusion!
Read full review at http://athousandwordsfestival.com.au/...
November 27, 2011
One of my students recommended this book to me. As she had read and enjoyed one of my recommendations, I felt obliged to read this one. What a treasure. Set in Sydney, Australia and a timeslip or time travel book. A very engaging story, loved the characters and felt that sadness that sits upon a reader when they must leave the world of the characters they have been "living with". Highly recommend it to anyone 11yrs on......
March 11, 2012
Great book. If you like time travel, mystery, puzzles or adventure, this is the book for you. Jemma travels back in time after she touches and ivory rose pendant. Her friend Georgiana Rose Thornton has fallen ill and Jemma thinks Georgie is being poisoned. But who would do this? Jemma has to find out for the sake of her friend. She has to stop the murder of Georgiana, because that is the reason she has been sent back in time.
March 27, 2012
I actually really enjoyed this book and wished there was at lest a bit more. But I guess if it did continue then it would turn out boring. But it was still good with a nice ending.
Want to read
January 17, 2015Sounds like Playing Beatie Bow!
January 5, 2013
Was so good
loved it!
loved it!
January 14, 2013
This was a really good read. Was quite sad to close the book when it finished. The characters were interesting and believable.
March 8, 2013
One of the best books I have read in my life. If you are looking for a good book don't hesitate to read.
May 6, 2013
WOW! Amazing story. Love everything about it. I KNEW Harriet was the killer. If you've read the ivory rose you'd know what I'm talking about.
December 27, 2014
Even though the middle part of the book just seems to drag on and on, the ending is worth it :,). Trust me, the ending was brilliant, almost cried! (:
Great book!
Great book!
January 8, 2018
This was the book that made me really love to read!!
My first ever "favourite" book!!
I loved it so much!!!! <3
My first ever "favourite" book!!
I loved it so much!!!! <3
June 7, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. I think it would be a great read for a young person 10-13 years.
January 7, 2017
I enjoyed reading The Ivory Rose as it has a lot of charm, interesting characters and some great historical facts that the fiction is wound around for young people to learn about. The opening got me in a lot. I liked the contrast between Jemma’s friend’s house and her own just next door and slowly finding out why Jemma loves being at her friend’s house so much and why the friend’s mum gave her those subtle sympathetic looks. Jemma’s encounter with the ghost of Rosethorne was a little cliché at first, but it did get me in and I was eager to discover more about this spooky little imaginary friend of Sammy, (the little girl Jemma is babysitting there).
When the story turned in a direction I was not expecting, it got very exciting, however after the initial effects of Jemma having woken up in 1895, the story from here plateaued for me. When I reached about half way through the book, I felt like the plot wasn’t going anywhere fast. It slowed down a lot and lost my interest and I found I didn’t have that same eagerness to pick the book up and carry on the way I had before. For a short while, Jemma’s reactions to things – life in 1895 – are as they should be, however I felt that pretty soon, she seemed just too comfortable with her situation and seemed to be too familiar with things she shouldn’t know. Even though the narration is in third person, we still experience the story from Jemma’s perspective – we’re inside her head, and I just felt that some of the information the narrator was telling us, using words and knowledge of customs at the time – didn’t seem to fit. Why would Jemma observe these things in this way? For example, Murrell uses the word ‘perambulator’ when describing the activities on a street and because it’s Jemma observing it all, it upset the story for me. Why not just say ‘pram’? This is what Jemma would think when she saw one. In other instances, when given tasks to do as a servant in Rosethorne, sometimes Jemma just knew what to do and how to go about it as though she’s done it a hundred times before. Maybe Murrell did it to save words and get on with the story – (although, a lot of the story at this point was merely describing all the tasks that Jemma had to do anyway.)
Some of the historical facts, in order to be included in the story, seemed to me a little forced and contrived. However, it was still a lovely historical fiction that’s worth the read. There are some really nice moments in the narrative language and also the character’s relationships to each other. Jemma learns a lot about appreciating her own life and family and I would recommend the book to young girls in particular.
When the story turned in a direction I was not expecting, it got very exciting, however after the initial effects of Jemma having woken up in 1895, the story from here plateaued for me. When I reached about half way through the book, I felt like the plot wasn’t going anywhere fast. It slowed down a lot and lost my interest and I found I didn’t have that same eagerness to pick the book up and carry on the way I had before. For a short while, Jemma’s reactions to things – life in 1895 – are as they should be, however I felt that pretty soon, she seemed just too comfortable with her situation and seemed to be too familiar with things she shouldn’t know. Even though the narration is in third person, we still experience the story from Jemma’s perspective – we’re inside her head, and I just felt that some of the information the narrator was telling us, using words and knowledge of customs at the time – didn’t seem to fit. Why would Jemma observe these things in this way? For example, Murrell uses the word ‘perambulator’ when describing the activities on a street and because it’s Jemma observing it all, it upset the story for me. Why not just say ‘pram’? This is what Jemma would think when she saw one. In other instances, when given tasks to do as a servant in Rosethorne, sometimes Jemma just knew what to do and how to go about it as though she’s done it a hundred times before. Maybe Murrell did it to save words and get on with the story – (although, a lot of the story at this point was merely describing all the tasks that Jemma had to do anyway.)
Some of the historical facts, in order to be included in the story, seemed to me a little forced and contrived. However, it was still a lovely historical fiction that’s worth the read. There are some really nice moments in the narrative language and also the character’s relationships to each other. Jemma learns a lot about appreciating her own life and family and I would recommend the book to young girls in particular.
February 23, 2019
4.5
This book made me truly happy and re-reading it was fantastic! It still captures my heart with the simple love and moral of the story. I definitely loved the Australian setting and the history side was very well done. I adored the characters and how the time travel came together to create a beautiful read.
This book made me truly happy and re-reading it was fantastic! It still captures my heart with the simple love and moral of the story. I definitely loved the Australian setting and the history side was very well done. I adored the characters and how the time travel came together to create a beautiful read.
December 28, 2020
Reading this brought me back to my adolescence when I would excitedly read Murrell's timeslip adventures each time I could get my hands on one. I wish I had read The Ivory Rose back then, as I'm sure it would have had a bigger impact on me, but I thoroughly enjoyed it nonetheless.
April 14, 2018
I really enjoyed this! I love anything to do with time travel, and it's always great to see stories set in Australia.
Review coming on theteacherslibrary.org
Review coming on theteacherslibrary.org
March 31, 2019
i wanted jemma to get married to ned :(
October 31, 2020
Spooked at the beginning, intrigued and captivated through the middle and so happy in the end! Loved it!
September 28, 2021
I still vividly remember reading this in a single sitting as an 11 year old - it was amazing !!
September 28, 2022
This is still my favourite book ever, since I was little I have re-read this book many times!
January 13, 2023
I read this book in school with the forgotten pearl it was a amazing book I couldn’t stop reading and wanted to read more of it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews