The Dance in the Dark

Scarlet and Ivy #3

by Sophie Cleverly

Scarlet and Ivy return to creepy Rookwood School for a third mystery adventure!


Perfect for fans of MURDER MOST UNLADYLIKE.


With their evil headmaster, Mr Bartholomew, safely out of the picture and kindly Mrs Knight in charge, it looks like life at Rookwood School is looking up. There's a ballet recital Scarlet is desperate to star in, and more clues to uncover about the twins' mother.


But after their beloved ballet teacher Miss Finch suddenly disappears and strange Madame Zelda takes her place, freakish things start happening. Poison letters are circulating the school, and 'accidents' are plaguing the students. It seems that the girls are in danger once more…


Is someone out for the ultimate revenge?

Genres: Mystery, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Historical, Young Adult, Mystery Thriller

340 pages, Paperback

First published June 2, 2016

About the author

Sophie Cleverly was born in Bath in 1989. She studied for a BA in Creative Writing and an MA in Writing For Young People. She is the author of the SCARLET AND IVY series and THE VIOLET VEIL MYSTERIES, which are published in English by HarperCollins worldwide and are being translated into many different languages.

Aside from writing, she can often be found blogging about symphonic metal, watching fantastical TV and struggling to find her way out of her ever-increasing pile of books.

Reviews

[Sophia Luo · Rating 5 out of 5]

ohmagawd. This book is just so cool. Like the second one, this book is really addictive. It's just amazing and has a great storyline. Some of it is like REALLY predictable but then you like get to the end and you're like ahaha nvm and there's like this huge plot twist. Just amazing, this series is just amazing like, every book is better than the one before. Everyone must read this series (if you haven't already). K, I got nothing else to say. Just read it.

[16BlandfordI · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, mainly because of the love, friendship, and passion throughout, as the girls discover more about the school and their selves. I recommend this book to anyone who as enjoyed the last two books in the series.

[bookhugger · Rating 5 out of 5]

my fav in the series!! this one was soo heartwarming bc of the twin bonding <3

in 2021 I had this amazing idea for a fanfic crossover b/w this and kotlc oml 😭
never wrote it tho

also the truth ?!?!!! still shocks me sm

[Gouri Verma · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Drumroll* Even better than the last two books!!!!!!❤️

Where shall I start from?
Ok yes, THE CREEPY AMOSPHERE WAS SOOO GOOD!!!!!❤️ I loved every single thing about this book and I literally mean it❤️ There were sooo many twists and turns and I guessed half them😂 But I still lovedddd it!!! Specially the ending…..

Surprisingly, Scarlet’s behaviour was really different in this book😶 She wasn’t cruel towards Ariadne anymore …..that was a relief❤️ And Ariadne was way too smart…and I loved her surprise entry!!!!

And Mrs.Finch (The ballet teacher) was a sweetheart…I loved how kind she was🥰
Well……the new ballet teacher was really creepy and exasperating😭 but towards the last of the book….she became a sweetheart too😂

I still can’t believe what happened in the end😨🥶 The end literally gave me goosebumps!!! The end….no…the whole book, was gripping😁 I loved this book even more than the last two ones!!!

I really love Mrs. Sophie Cleverly’s writing style!! Her writing is beautiful❤️ One of the best things about her books is that the endings are not loose ❤️

I loved this book very much💕
Go for it…..

[17loweh089 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed all the books in this series. They are all about mystery but not to similar and repetitive like other series are . It is not only about mystery which I like its about family drama and school so everyone can relate which I like. This book is focused around friendship dramas. I like this books ending as you know something is going to happen but just not what.

[Olivia Downey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book.. wow just wow.

This is def one of my favs of this series. It has a whole new feel to it and it’s unlike any of the other books. It has a whole new mystery that will have you literally dying of suspense.

I honestly don’t know what else to say without spoiling it but just read it.. you don’t regret it

[Mahshid · Rating 2 out of 5]

نمیدونم واقعا. بنظرم این جلد ضعیف تر بود.
پلات قوی و چیزی که تو رو زیاد ترغیب کنه به ادامه دادن داستان نداشت و اینکه از ویلن قدیمی دوباره استفاده شد اونم انقد آبکی خوشم نیومد.
با اینکه کتاب خیلی روان و راحت خوانه حس میکنم صد ساله داشتم میخوندمش ^_^

[✮demi✮ · Rating 5 out of 5]

definitely too old to be reading this and it seems a tiny bit childish now but i dont care
i still love scarlet and ivy so much <33
this is my 5th reread and im not bored, ive been obsessed with this since i was 10 😭 (slightly less obsessed now because i have other obsessions)
rereading childhood favorite books is so nostalgic honestly

[Mollie Fredrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I mean, I don’t know what to say. I am so obsessed with these books. I am so looking forward to the next ones, and am gonna be so devastated to have to wait until January for the 6th. These have to be the best books I have ever read. I am truly in love.

[●tk● · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scarlet and Ivy are resigned to staying at Rookwood School for Girls, all the better for getting rid of the horrible Principal Batholomew. With a new acting Principal, Rookwood will at least be safer to attend. Or maybe not?
When a Rookwood Ballet Recital is announced, Scarlet is beside herself with excitement. The Ballet Snow White is to be held in town and Scarlet is determined to get the lead role of Princess Aurora.
The twin’s nemesis Penny is also after the lead role, increasing the animosity between them. Scarlet secretly begins to doubt her dancing ability after being locked up in the lunatic asylum for months. Begging Miss Finch (the Ballet teacher) for a little extra help, she leaves the dance studio feeling better, but not for long.
Strange things begin happening at Rookwood again. Miss Finch goes on sudden sick leave. A student falls from a window. The student’s horses escape the stables and somebody poisoned the stew!
This is not the only excitement for the twins and best friend Ariade. They are following clues about their mother. What was her real name? Why did she use someone else’s? Why did they never learn she’d been a pupil at Rookwood too?
Both mysteries build in tension and wonder, revealing kidnapping, treachery, new family and memories. Rookwood’s reputation is crumbling around them, as girls leave in droves. Will the Ballet recital mend it? Or will it be the death of the twins?
This third episode in this popular series has even more intrigue and school shenanigans than the first two. Scarlet is as fiery as ever, and Ivy’s confidence is growing as she tries to tame her twin. The jealousies and rivalry has never been keener, resulting in more than one bout of fisticuffs! The nail-biting finale will have readers flying through the pages!

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Scarlet less irritating in this book, and the fear that both her and Ivy had for Miss Fox really came through, and the threat of her returning was very present. That said, this storyline felt a little more formulaic and obvious in places. Still very enjoyable though.

The overall mystery was a bit sidelined to every day life and the ever present fight between the vile Penny (who, no matter her parental issues, needs to learn to let go omg) and Scarlet. But when it came through well, it really worked. The letters were well done, and I liked the uncertainty that it brought to the school. The ballet teachers side line was a nice way of twisting it all together too, though it felt a little unneeded at times.

I wanted a bit more on the mystery with their mum - though I adored what was there! I’m so pleased with that storyline.

It feels a bit wrapped up now, so not sure how the next book will follow on - I’ll have to find out ;)

[Allie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have 3 boys and 1 girl. Most of the books we listen to on our school drives are probably geared more towards boys. Because of this, my girl usually pops in her earphones and listens to Shawn Mendes. I chose this series in the hopes that she would listen --- and she did, but soon after this one started she went back to listening to her want-to-be boyfriend.
I think my 11 year old son gave this 4 or 5 stars. I can't remember. But I know that I didn't like this one as much as the first two. I feel it's lost its momentum.

[The Teacher's Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

As much as Scarlet frustrates me, the rest of the characters are so great that I can forgive her.
If you thought Hogwarts had problems? Rookwood is next level - and no magic to be seen!

I'm doing a whole series review coming up on theteacherslibrary.org

[Kamons · Rating 3 out of 5]

เรายังคงคิดว่าหนังสือชุดคู่แฝดนี้มีความดาร์กอยู่เหมือนเดิม แม้ว่าจะดูสดใสขึ้นบ้างเพราะตัวละครร้ายๆ หลายตัวหายไปแล้วในเล่ม 1 และ2 สการ์เลตทำตัวดีขึ้นทำให้หนังสือเล่มนี้อ่านสนุกขึ้นอีกเยอะ

[Rogerio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Volume 3 has lost a bit of momentum but it is still readable.

[anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

these books are so easy and quick to read, but this one didn't have a surprise to it, and was a bit predictable and underwhelming

[Iyla · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book and has some sort of scary parts but it is an amazing book with twists and turns that keep you guessing

[Tiara Hawthorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely amazing!! I loved Scarlet's character development in this one (Personally, I did not like her in the second book) This book was quite predictable but still a very fun read. Kinda disappointed that Ivy did not get the main role in the recital. Even more disappointed that the role was taken away from Scarlet. But otherwise I love the fact that the girls finally found someone who actually cares for them. Although I'm kinda bored of the evil stepmother trope. I loved Ariadne tho. Was soo happy when she came back. All in all it was a really great book, being a middle grade. (this is coming from a YA reader)

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this book as a dancer. Another book I could spend all night reading. Every night I would say I will stop at the next chapter and continue reading 3 chapters. I’m 10 years old and this book took me 2 days to read.

[Chloe G]

I loved the book. It really interesting. Mrs.Fox came back and pushed someone out a window.

[Chloe Hollis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, just as much as I loved the first two!

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

With everything that's going on in the world, I don't really feel like reading loads of heavy and hard books. I need something easier, something light hearted, something that sparks joy and reminds me that the world can also be a fun and adventurous place. Therefore, apart from some supernatural romantic comedies, I also really enjoy reading middle grade novels at the moment and especially if they're set at a boarding school and star a set of twins. Nostalgia!

This is the third book in the series and I quite enjoyed what the author did with this book. It kinda felt like she wrapped up the trilogy. The first book had a loose end, the second book had a few loose ends and this book is working through those loose ends carefully and wraps them up very nicely. Of course, it's all not very surprising. And if you start this book thinking it's a whodunnit you will end up disappointed, but as a boarding school adventure it works perfectly fine.

Even though the plot is a little less straight forward than in the previous two books. That's mostly because this book juggles two mysteries and therefore two plot lines. And both plot lines are quite important for the twins, which means that they're hopping back from one plot line to the other. Although that feels a little less structured, it doesn't take away from the fun. It might even add to it, because a lot more is happening and there are more moments where amazing discoveries are being made.

I also like how in this book the differences between the twins become a little clearer, partly because other characters decide to abuse those differences. Although their thought and speaking pattern is still very much the same, and therefore I couldn't always remember who's point of view I was reading, I like how Scarlet and Ivy are two different people in this book, making different choices and having a different influence on other people and each other.

It would have been a great end to a lovely trilogy, but I'm glad there are three more books!

[Eve L-A Witherington · Rating 3 out of 5]

The girls are back at Rookwood school now order has been restored. Though their best friend Ariadne hasn't come back and bully Penny is still there and restarts making trouble for Ivy.



When the girls get the chance to audition for a theatre show of ballet Sleeping Beauty, the girls are excited but Scarlet more so as she wants the main role of Aurora so starts getting secret lessons after class with Miss Finch to improve. So when her teacher disappears mysteriously, a new teacher, Madame Zelda, shows up randomly and something seems off, just where is Miss Finch?



There's also the case now that she's here, horses are being set free and girls getting pushed out of Windows, fights, letters and more strange dreams and behaviour, just what is happening next at this school?



The girls also have to find out more about their mother after they believe she covered her past self by using a fake name and finding out they have an aunt right by them in this town!



I enjoyed this book but would be better starting with the first book in the series and working my way to this one. I would've liked more dance including in the story as the cover and title are a bit misleading but there was a good continuing mystery to the story of Scarlet and Ivy.



Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!

[Joey Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The girls return to Rookwood school and almost as soon as they arrive strange things start happening. Their ballet teacher disappears, a strange new teacher takes over. Then one event after another happens at the school and hundreds of girls are pulled from the school. All these things happen on the lead up to the ballet recital, that Scarlet dreams to be the lead of.

It was another wonderful book, there was honestly so much that happened within this book, so many incidents. The school was constantly in chaos and Mrs. Knight the interim headteacher was so in over her head with the whole ordeal. I did like that there wasn’t one chapter that didn’t have something happening.

I really enjoyed that the twins found out so much more about their mother, their auntie and the prospect of what their lives could have looked like. It was honestly so incredibly sweet and I really enjoyed all that story line. I hope in the next few books we get to learn more about it too.

I still wasn’t a fan of Scarlet in this book, I just really don’t like her personality, her lack of care and respect, her attitude and the way she treats Ivy, she never notices anything and never cares enough about her to notice. Then she just jumps into angry action without thinking. Honestly I’m not sure this girl will ever change or be a character that I like. It doesn’t stop me enjoying the storyline though.

The mystery in this book wasn’t hard to solve or figure out, it was answered in a very early chapter unfortunately and then you knew what the answer was. However the unfolding and solving of the mystery was still really fun, seeing how the girls pieced things together and how they saved the day, I really enjoyed it.

I’ve really enjoyed the entire series so far, such wonderfully written stories and this school had so much history and darkness that it’s no wonder that the girls are always finding something to solve. These are highly recommend if you know someone that loves a good mystery as they are so much fun to read.

[Booklover221 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about ‘page-turner’!?? I could not put this book down, I’d finished this in just two days!! Partly because I was also tempted to read through the day. Usually I have a rule to only read at night or when I’m in bed, however, this was just such a great story!

This has a VERY satisfying ending, but with an ‘opening’ that makes you want to read on by CHOICE! (a different kind of thing altogether)

Ivy had a twin sister ‘Scarlet’, who dies mysteriously. Ivy is then, bizarrely, forced to take her place at the school where she was boarded – but it’s all cockeyed as to why she’s really there, and what actually happened to her sister. Instead she has to piece it together by locating portions of Scarlet’s diary from strange places. To say more would only serve to spoil the plot for those yet to read this riveting book, but it’s full of great characters that you won’t forget or get confused over, and they have substance so you always know who’s who – even those with smaller roles.

I LOVED this book, and unusual for me as l prefer romantic novels, will most definitely be reading the rest in the series.

Five stars from me!

[Bernadette · Rating 4 out of 5]

With less typos and a continued compelling story, "The Dance in the Dark" was a great ending to the trilogy. I never came around to liking Scarlet, but I tolerated her and appreciated the energy she brought to the story. Ariadne is still my favorite character of all, and I relate so much to Ivy that she was impossible to not love.

As much as I wanted the story to end with resolution between characters (i.e., Madame Zelda and Miss Finch, Scarlet and Penny), I think the story eventually convinced me that sometimes you can't just forgive and become friends with someone who has done horrid things to you. Sometimes, choosing to accept an apology (or even to accept that you won't get one) and move on is all you can do. I enjoyed this series a lot, and I recommend it to any one, though specifically for young girls) in their early teens. The yelling and fighting might be a little much for a younger audience.

[Thalia S. A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one!

The Scarlet and Ivy series just gets better and better. In this one (book 3), Scarlet is determined to star in the school ballet, and a lot of clues about their mother. But then Miss Finch disappears and is replaced with a new teacher. 'Poison letters' are being sent to everyone, and 'accidents' are striking in the most unexpected times. Who's doing this?

Scarlet's behaviour has improved a little and Ariadne comes back! Ivy is still the gentle, little Ivy. And Penny is even more fierce than before.

I loved this book. It was so creepy but cool at the same time, with a lot of unexpected plots- which you can never guess! I was pleased to find that the twins meet their aunt, Aunt Sara. They find out the truth about their mother as well.

Madame Zelda, the new ballet teacher, was someone I felt that was a suspect at first. I felt that she was the responsible one for everything that was happening... but no. I was totally wrong! In my opinion, the author was super clever, trying to make Madame Zelda seem super suspicious so no-one would think it was anyone else, even though Madame Zelda was innocent.

Overall this was a great book. I'd love to read the next one!

[Taelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is an awesome book. Scarlet is back... and determined. They are having a ballet recital, and Scarlet is desperate to get the lead role, Aurora. Penny still holds a grudge and wants to ruin Scarlet’s life. She tries to bully Ivy, knowing that it would make Scarlet furious. But when Miss Finch takes a sudden leave, and the new Madame Zelda arrives, nasty things start happening at Rookwood. Terrible notes, attempted murder and even poison. Could it be... Miss Fox? Is it Madame Zelda? Can they figure it out before there’s no hope left. Read the book to find out. - From Taelyn, 12 years old.
P.S This book is for the ages 10, 11, 12 and maybe 13.

[Mohaddese · Rating 5 out of 5]

بینظیر بود.
فضای استرس آور و فضایی که آدم رو در خلسه قرار میده و نمی دونه چی درسته و باید به کی اعتماد کنه جذابیت داستان رو چند برابر کرد برام.
اتفاق های زیادی هم‌زمان رخ می‌داد که اصلا نتونستم از کتاب دست بکشم و یک‌نفس خوندم:
-گشتن دنبال هویت حقیقی مادرشون.
-دعوا بین پنی و آیوی.
-رسیدن نامه ها دست افراد.
-آماده شدن برای مراسم پاتیناژ و تلاش اسکارلت برای به دست آوردن نقش اول داستان.
و....
دوست داشتم این کتاب در مورد ماجرایی باشه که برای اسکارلت و آیوی در کریسمس خونه‌ی عمه فیبی اتفاق افتاده و ایند��عه داستان دور از روک‌وود باشه تا متنوع بشه. ولی باز هم بنظرم داستان کتاب سوم حرف نداشت.
پایان بندی داستان هم خیلی مختصر و مناسب بود.

[Isha Fathima · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can'not say how nice this book is at the beginning we all thought of madame zelda didn't we?


but it is so worth read the series and u'll understand i can not how wonderfully the plots have been planned and written in a way that nobody can guess the twists unlike harry potter it is not a hidden
plot but the plot is wrong the one in our mind it is truly how surprising how our imaginations can get the best of us..

I really want to recommend something to new readers take a stop after sometime and think about it like u are one of the twins and their best friend and am telling u it can only get better