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The Sinclair’s Mysteries #2
The Mystery of the Jewelled Moth
A fast-paced historical mystery adventure for readers aged 9+, with gorgeous Edwardian period detail. Perfect for fans of Chris Riddell, Enid Blyton and Robin Stevens.
The follow up to Katherine Woodfine's bestselling debut novel, The Clockwork Sparrow.
THE HONOUR OF YOUR COMPANY IS REQUESTED AT
LORD BEAUCASTLE’S FANCY DRESS BALL.
Wonder at the puzzling disappearance of the Jewelled Moth! Marvel as our heroines, Sophie and Lil, don cunning disguises , mingle in high society and munch many cucumber sandwiches to solve this curious case ! Applaud their bravery as they follow a trail of terrible secrets that leads straight to London’s most dangerous criminal mastermind, and could put their own lives at risk . . .
It will be the most thrilling event of the season!
***
Cover and interior illustrations by Júlia Sardà.
Praise for The Clockwork
'A wonderful book, with a glorious heroine and a true sprit of adventure’ – Katherine Rundell, author of Rooftoppers
‘A real page-turner, it has murders, spies and gangs of thieves. Thrilling!’ – Indiana, aged 10, LoveReadingforKids reviewer
'Dastardliness on a big scale is uncovered in this well-plotted, evocative novel' - Nicolette Jones, The Sunday Times
'It's a dashing plot, an atmospheric setting and an extensive and imaginative cast. Katherine Woodfine handles it all with aplomb' - Julia Eccleshare, Guardian
'An incredible read full of mystery, wonder and adventure...This is now one of my top ten.' - Celeste, age 13, LoveReading4Kids reviewer
The first book in the Sinclair's Mystery series, The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow, was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize in 2016.
Katherine Woodfine is a true champion of children’s literature. Until 2015 she was Arts Project Manager for Booktrust, where she project-managed the Children's Laureateship and YALC, the UK’s first Young Adult Literature Convention, curated by Malorie Blackman.
She is part of the founding team at Down the Rabbit Hole, a monthly show for Resonance FM discussing children’s literature.
Katherine blogs at followtheyellow.co.uk. She lives in London.
The follow up to Katherine Woodfine's bestselling debut novel, The Clockwork Sparrow.
THE HONOUR OF YOUR COMPANY IS REQUESTED AT
LORD BEAUCASTLE’S FANCY DRESS BALL.
Wonder at the puzzling disappearance of the Jewelled Moth! Marvel as our heroines, Sophie and Lil, don cunning disguises , mingle in high society and munch many cucumber sandwiches to solve this curious case ! Applaud their bravery as they follow a trail of terrible secrets that leads straight to London’s most dangerous criminal mastermind, and could put their own lives at risk . . .
It will be the most thrilling event of the season!
***
Cover and interior illustrations by Júlia Sardà.
Praise for The Clockwork
'A wonderful book, with a glorious heroine and a true sprit of adventure’ – Katherine Rundell, author of Rooftoppers
‘A real page-turner, it has murders, spies and gangs of thieves. Thrilling!’ – Indiana, aged 10, LoveReadingforKids reviewer
'Dastardliness on a big scale is uncovered in this well-plotted, evocative novel' - Nicolette Jones, The Sunday Times
'It's a dashing plot, an atmospheric setting and an extensive and imaginative cast. Katherine Woodfine handles it all with aplomb' - Julia Eccleshare, Guardian
'An incredible read full of mystery, wonder and adventure...This is now one of my top ten.' - Celeste, age 13, LoveReading4Kids reviewer
The first book in the Sinclair's Mystery series, The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow, was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize in 2016.
Katherine Woodfine is a true champion of children’s literature. Until 2015 she was Arts Project Manager for Booktrust, where she project-managed the Children's Laureateship and YALC, the UK’s first Young Adult Literature Convention, curated by Malorie Blackman.
She is part of the founding team at Down the Rabbit Hole, a monthly show for Resonance FM discussing children’s literature.
Katherine blogs at followtheyellow.co.uk. She lives in London.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 25, 2016
About the author
Katherine Woodfine
40 books526 followersKatherine Woodfine is the author of more than 15 books for children, including the Sinclair’s Mysteries and Taylor & Rose Secret Agents series. Her first published novel, The Clockwork Sparrow, was a Sunday Times bestseller and was nominated for numerous awards. A champion of children’s literature, she has previously worked on projects including the Children’s Laureate, YALC (the UK’s first young adult literature convention) and children’s books podcast Down the Rabbit Hole. She now combines writing with reviewing children’s books. She lives in Lancashire, UK in an old house near a castle, with her family and two black cats. Find out more at katherinewoodfine.co.uk
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews
February 16, 2024
reading vlog: https://youtu.be/4Iy0Br0Yy88
such a lovely little middle grade mystery! was exactly what I needed and I can't wait to continue on in the series.
such a lovely little middle grade mystery! was exactly what I needed and I can't wait to continue on in the series.
February 28, 2025
4 stars ✨ Secular/Mainstream Fiction - Middle-Grace - (Murder) Mystery
Oooh, the ending of this book was fantastic! I went back and forth between the physical book and the audiobook because I really liked the narrator and multi-tasking reasons. This book does completely give away the ending of the first book, though, so you’ll have to read it in order or else be totally spoiled.
I really don’t have too much to say about this book—I found myself not taking notes on my thoughts while reading because I was too invested into the plot! I really like Sophie, but I was glad to see the whole group plus meet a few new faces as well. Sometimes, when reading middle-grade mysteries like this, I will be a little put-out (so to speak) about a bunch of kids solving dangerous cases and faces adult villains, but this book really highlighted everyone’s strengths and coming together to stop the villain, so I actually really liked it.
I would say this sequel was a bit more violent than the first book and maybe even more intense at times, but I have to admit I greatly enjoyed this book in many ways with the new characters introduced and what they all brought to the table. I would still hesitate to give this book to a younger reader because of the murder elements, but it would really depend on the pre-teen. I would suggest 12+, personally.
Main Content-
Sophie thinks Lil looks more like a goddess than an ordinary girl; It’s said that seeing the villain himself would be “the worse of all bad omens” worse than seeing a black cat or breaking a looking glass; A rumor about The Baron being a man who sold his soul to the devil.
Mei has been told by her grandfather about a diamond that was said to have divine powers (bringing good fortune and prosperity) and was rumored to have been gifted by the Lady of the Moon herself (also called a moon goddess) who gave it to the monks to share the good fortune (her family have been the guardians of it which is a scared duty for years); It’s added that if the gem is stolen, however, there is a curse that will make the thief destine to ill fortune; Mei thinks if they refound the diamond, it would protect her family and is convinced that it would (she also wants to warn the current owner about the curse); On a night with a full moon, Mei finds it easy to believe that the moon could be a person or rather as a single glowing eye, looking down at her; Mei feels like an object has a kind of magic in it she she holds it (a jade ornament); Lil doesn’t believe in curses and doesn’t believe the diamond has a curse on it; *Spoiler* .
Mentions of a Chinese temple (which Mei calls a holy place), monks, & someone twisting a story that a gem was saved from one during a fire; Mentions of the scared diamond, the curse on the diamond, the story going that it has magical powers as well, & if it really has to do with bad things happen to others (such as a death/murder); Mentions of luck; A few mentions of churches in the city; A mention of a church’s charity bazaar; A mention of it seeming like a man has a “supernatural power” of his own to be immune to a rumored curse; A mention of a superstition.
Phrases like ”God knows” (flippantly, pg.199), 2 “heavens”, 2 “good heavens”, 2 “for heaven’s sake”, 1 “for mercy’s sake”, 1 “what the devil”; Other words/phares like 4 ‘gosh!’, 1 ‘dashed shame’, 1 ‘give a fig’, 1 ‘donkey’, 1 ’queer’ (meaning weird) are used; Idiot/idiotic is used frequently; British words like ‘blooming’ ‘buck up’, ‘he funked it’ (meaning ruined something), ‘don’t be such a prig’, and ‘juggins’ are used; A couple mentions of curses (said, not written, including by Joe); Some eye rolling.
When someone says “thanks heavens”, Lil thinks the person should have thanked her and Sophie instead; A mention of a threat of someone using another’s guts for their garters.
Being held at gun-point (twice, aimed at our teen main characters), being threatened (with death, harm, and vandalism), being shot at, gunshots, & nearly being killed/stabbed by someone; Stealing a carriage & a team of horses (though Lil says the person would have lent it to her if she had time to ask).
A body is found floating in a river & remembered (*Spoiler* ; it’s implied someone wondering if it was suicide; Billy looks like he is going to be sick; Joe has seen dead bodies before but the sour smell of decay affects him; Sophie wonders if the person was the victim of a terrible accident or if something more sinister happened to her; Sophie also takes evidence from the body after much debate because of the items significance; *Major Spoilers* ).
Mei imagines herself as a burglar and stealing the diamond back, reasoning that it would “almost be within her rights” to do it because of it belonging to her family, but knows that stealing is wrong no matter what the circumstances (recalling her mum slapping her and her brothers’ hands for attempting to steal sweets in the shop).
Lil borrows a gown from the store for an undercover mission without permission; Lil lies and comes up with cover stories while undercover; A young debutante says that her mother tells her that debutantes should have dainty appetites (which she definitely doesn’t) so she is careful on how much she eats (her grandmother encouraged her to be like another who you barely ate anything to be able to get a gentleman’s attention; Lil encourages her to sneak desserts when her mother isn’t looking and helps her do so).
Mei realizes that she is eavesdropping on her parents which she’s been taught is a “low-down thing to do” and stops; Mei can’t imagine being afraid of your father (like a girl from her class was because of her father being grim and strict) because her father is one of the kindest and gentlest people is knows; Mei recalls some people turning up their noses are her family because her mum is English and her dad is Chinese (a mention later of Mei have been on the receiving end of pointing and even rude words); Mei’s older brother and her used to be close, but now there’s some name calling on his end towards her (crybaby, featherbrained, scaredy-cat); *Spoiler* .
Veronica, one of the debutantes, feels like her father and step-mother treat her as if she was a baby and thinks she had more freedom in the schoolroom with her governess (she can come across as disrespectful here and a couple other times); Veronica also thinks harshly of some other debutantes such as thinking that one “had probably never said two interesting words together in her life”.
Lil is upset that women are not able to join in on rowing competition and thinks she can row just as well as anyone; Lil tells Billy that “Girls can be detectives just as well as boys can. Girls are just as brave and clever as boys, you know! I realize they aren’t in those silly detective stories of yours—all the girls in those are perfect idiots who do nothing but swoon all over the place—but that’s a lot of old rot.” & Billy starts to argue about it before being cut off by someone else; Lil haughtily says she doesn’t need Joe’s protection, saying that she and Sophie can take care of themselves and Joe agrees but thinks there is safety in numbers; Lil recalls being upset about her brother being able to go off to university just because he’s a boy while she was supposed to stay at home and do ladylike things.
Billy first talks about Mei like she can’t understand what he is saying (calling her a little girl from China) and she speaks up, being very annoyed at him.
*Spoiler, but disobeying parents* .
*Spoiler* .
A rumor about The Baron being a “bloodthirsty murderer who had left a trail of horribly dismembered victims all across the East End”.
Mei’s grandfather has recently passed and she still misses him; Sophie finds herself envious of Lil’s mother worrying about her because she can scarcely even remember her own mother.
Joe comments on the rich folk in a neighborhood making their money by not paying their poor workers enough & them being greedy (Billy thinks on this and wonder if its true that if someone has everything they need, they don’t care what happens to others).
A gang of the villain’s boys/young men go around collecting money from businesses for their protection and those who refuse to pay have bad thing happen to them (such as a fire that killed the owners and a young man’s arm being badly broken; Mei’s family faces this).
All about many mentions of criminals, thieves, a gang, stealing, & stolen/missing items; Many mentions of a body being found in a river (which is said to be an easy way to dispose of a body), suspected foul play, the motive, & the murderer (up to a few sentences); Many mentions of an attack & threats; Mentions of being held at gunpoint & guns; Mentions of the events in the prior book with a theft, planned explosion, being kidnapped and drugged, & someone’s plan to start a war; Mentions of fires, weapons, & incendiaries; Mentions of injuries & blood/bleeding; Mentions of blackmail & threats; Mentions of jealousy (including debutantes being jealous of another);Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of gambling & gaming houses; Mentions of a drunk & alcohol (including champagne and wine at parties/dinners); Mentions of tobacco, pipes, cigarettes, & cigars; A few mentions of bodies being found in a river often & how most do not care about it because of the person having no status/value; A few mentions of a fire and a couple who died in it (appeared to be a threat); A few mentions of attacks & setting a village on fire; A few mentions of nightmares (of a found body); A few mentions of begging children; A few mentions of a girl bullying another and calling her a dunce; A few mentions of throwing up; A couple mentions of dirty police officers; A couple mentions of opium dens; A mention of the horrors that happen in East End (“murders and mutilations”); A mention of a murder in a newspaper; A mention of scandalous novels.
Veronica is being pursued by a man who is nearly twice her age (her step-mother defends this as she is about half the age of Veronica’s father); Veronica’s (new money) father married her step-mother because she was from “real society stock” and it’s implied it wasn’t because of love (he likes having a beautiful young wife on his arm and she likes to spend his money); Veronica tries to tell her father that she isn’t ready to be married and he tells her that she’s still young and needs a husband to guide her.
Joe has the thought that he is respectable now and could even take a stroll with a girl like Lil; Joe wonders if he has the courage to as kLil for a dance; Joe is concerned of what Lil will think of him and wants to be the sort of fellow that she would admire; *Spoiler* .
Gossip goes around that a young debutant eloped with a footman (her family is upset but one of the other debutantes is amused when another finds it romantic; *Spoiler*).
One illustration shows a bit of a debutante’s cleavage.
A rumor that Mr. Sinclair is a ladies’ man.
A mention of an “old geezer” having a mistress he didn’t want his wife to know about & him being blackmailed for it; A mention of mooning.
Review of Book #1
Oooh, the ending of this book was fantastic! I went back and forth between the physical book and the audiobook because I really liked the narrator and multi-tasking reasons. This book does completely give away the ending of the first book, though, so you’ll have to read it in order or else be totally spoiled.
I really don’t have too much to say about this book—I found myself not taking notes on my thoughts while reading because I was too invested into the plot! I really like Sophie, but I was glad to see the whole group plus meet a few new faces as well. Sometimes, when reading middle-grade mysteries like this, I will be a little put-out (so to speak) about a bunch of kids solving dangerous cases and faces adult villains, but this book really highlighted everyone’s strengths and coming together to stop the villain, so I actually really liked it.
I would say this sequel was a bit more violent than the first book and maybe even more intense at times, but I have to admit I greatly enjoyed this book in many ways with the new characters introduced and what they all brought to the table. I would still hesitate to give this book to a younger reader because of the murder elements, but it would really depend on the pre-teen. I would suggest 12+, personally.
Main Content-
Sophie thinks Lil looks more like a goddess than an ordinary girl; It’s said that seeing the villain himself would be “the worse of all bad omens” worse than seeing a black cat or breaking a looking glass; A rumor about The Baron being a man who sold his soul to the devil.
Mei has been told by her grandfather about a diamond that was said to have divine powers (bringing good fortune and prosperity) and was rumored to have been gifted by the Lady of the Moon herself (also called a moon goddess) who gave it to the monks to share the good fortune (her family have been the guardians of it which is a scared duty for years); It’s added that if the gem is stolen, however, there is a curse that will make the thief destine to ill fortune; Mei thinks if they refound the diamond, it would protect her family and is convinced that it would (she also wants to warn the current owner about the curse); On a night with a full moon, Mei finds it easy to believe that the moon could be a person or rather as a single glowing eye, looking down at her; Mei feels like an object has a kind of magic in it she she holds it (a jade ornament); Lil doesn’t believe in curses and doesn’t believe the diamond has a curse on it; *Spoiler* .
Mentions of a Chinese temple (which Mei calls a holy place), monks, & someone twisting a story that a gem was saved from one during a fire; Mentions of the scared diamond, the curse on the diamond, the story going that it has magical powers as well, & if it really has to do with bad things happen to others (such as a death/murder); Mentions of luck; A few mentions of churches in the city; A mention of a church’s charity bazaar; A mention of it seeming like a man has a “supernatural power” of his own to be immune to a rumored curse; A mention of a superstition.
Phrases like ”God knows” (flippantly, pg.199), 2 “heavens”, 2 “good heavens”, 2 “for heaven’s sake”, 1 “for mercy’s sake”, 1 “what the devil”; Other words/phares like 4 ‘gosh!’, 1 ‘dashed shame’, 1 ‘give a fig’, 1 ‘donkey’, 1 ’queer’ (meaning weird) are used; Idiot/idiotic is used frequently; British words like ‘blooming’ ‘buck up’, ‘he funked it’ (meaning ruined something), ‘don’t be such a prig’, and ‘juggins’ are used; A couple mentions of curses (said, not written, including by Joe); Some eye rolling.
When someone says “thanks heavens”, Lil thinks the person should have thanked her and Sophie instead; A mention of a threat of someone using another’s guts for their garters.
Being held at gun-point (twice, aimed at our teen main characters), being threatened (with death, harm, and vandalism), being shot at, gunshots, & nearly being killed/stabbed by someone; Stealing a carriage & a team of horses (though Lil says the person would have lent it to her if she had time to ask).
A body is found floating in a river & remembered (*Spoiler* ; it’s implied someone wondering if it was suicide; Billy looks like he is going to be sick; Joe has seen dead bodies before but the sour smell of decay affects him; Sophie wonders if the person was the victim of a terrible accident or if something more sinister happened to her; Sophie also takes evidence from the body after much debate because of the items significance; *Major Spoilers* ).
Mei imagines herself as a burglar and stealing the diamond back, reasoning that it would “almost be within her rights” to do it because of it belonging to her family, but knows that stealing is wrong no matter what the circumstances (recalling her mum slapping her and her brothers’ hands for attempting to steal sweets in the shop).
Lil borrows a gown from the store for an undercover mission without permission; Lil lies and comes up with cover stories while undercover; A young debutante says that her mother tells her that debutantes should have dainty appetites (which she definitely doesn’t) so she is careful on how much she eats (her grandmother encouraged her to be like another who you barely ate anything to be able to get a gentleman’s attention; Lil encourages her to sneak desserts when her mother isn’t looking and helps her do so).
Mei realizes that she is eavesdropping on her parents which she’s been taught is a “low-down thing to do” and stops; Mei can’t imagine being afraid of your father (like a girl from her class was because of her father being grim and strict) because her father is one of the kindest and gentlest people is knows; Mei recalls some people turning up their noses are her family because her mum is English and her dad is Chinese (a mention later of Mei have been on the receiving end of pointing and even rude words); Mei’s older brother and her used to be close, but now there’s some name calling on his end towards her (crybaby, featherbrained, scaredy-cat); *Spoiler* .
Veronica, one of the debutantes, feels like her father and step-mother treat her as if she was a baby and thinks she had more freedom in the schoolroom with her governess (she can come across as disrespectful here and a couple other times); Veronica also thinks harshly of some other debutantes such as thinking that one “had probably never said two interesting words together in her life”.
Lil is upset that women are not able to join in on rowing competition and thinks she can row just as well as anyone; Lil tells Billy that “Girls can be detectives just as well as boys can. Girls are just as brave and clever as boys, you know! I realize they aren’t in those silly detective stories of yours—all the girls in those are perfect idiots who do nothing but swoon all over the place—but that’s a lot of old rot.” & Billy starts to argue about it before being cut off by someone else; Lil haughtily says she doesn’t need Joe’s protection, saying that she and Sophie can take care of themselves and Joe agrees but thinks there is safety in numbers; Lil recalls being upset about her brother being able to go off to university just because he’s a boy while she was supposed to stay at home and do ladylike things.
Billy first talks about Mei like she can’t understand what he is saying (calling her a little girl from China) and she speaks up, being very annoyed at him.
*Spoiler, but disobeying parents* .
*Spoiler* .
A rumor about The Baron being a “bloodthirsty murderer who had left a trail of horribly dismembered victims all across the East End”.
Mei’s grandfather has recently passed and she still misses him; Sophie finds herself envious of Lil’s mother worrying about her because she can scarcely even remember her own mother.
Joe comments on the rich folk in a neighborhood making their money by not paying their poor workers enough & them being greedy (Billy thinks on this and wonder if its true that if someone has everything they need, they don’t care what happens to others).
A gang of the villain’s boys/young men go around collecting money from businesses for their protection and those who refuse to pay have bad thing happen to them (such as a fire that killed the owners and a young man’s arm being badly broken; Mei’s family faces this).
All about many mentions of criminals, thieves, a gang, stealing, & stolen/missing items; Many mentions of a body being found in a river (which is said to be an easy way to dispose of a body), suspected foul play, the motive, & the murderer (up to a few sentences); Many mentions of an attack & threats; Mentions of being held at gunpoint & guns; Mentions of the events in the prior book with a theft, planned explosion, being kidnapped and drugged, & someone’s plan to start a war; Mentions of fires, weapons, & incendiaries; Mentions of injuries & blood/bleeding; Mentions of blackmail & threats; Mentions of jealousy (including debutantes being jealous of another);Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of gambling & gaming houses; Mentions of a drunk & alcohol (including champagne and wine at parties/dinners); Mentions of tobacco, pipes, cigarettes, & cigars; A few mentions of bodies being found in a river often & how most do not care about it because of the person having no status/value; A few mentions of a fire and a couple who died in it (appeared to be a threat); A few mentions of attacks & setting a village on fire; A few mentions of nightmares (of a found body); A few mentions of begging children; A few mentions of a girl bullying another and calling her a dunce; A few mentions of throwing up; A couple mentions of dirty police officers; A couple mentions of opium dens; A mention of the horrors that happen in East End (“murders and mutilations”); A mention of a murder in a newspaper; A mention of scandalous novels.
Veronica is being pursued by a man who is nearly twice her age (her step-mother defends this as she is about half the age of Veronica’s father); Veronica’s (new money) father married her step-mother because she was from “real society stock” and it’s implied it wasn’t because of love (he likes having a beautiful young wife on his arm and she likes to spend his money); Veronica tries to tell her father that she isn’t ready to be married and he tells her that she’s still young and needs a husband to guide her.
Joe has the thought that he is respectable now and could even take a stroll with a girl like Lil; Joe wonders if he has the courage to as kLil for a dance; Joe is concerned of what Lil will think of him and wants to be the sort of fellow that she would admire; *Spoiler* .
Gossip goes around that a young debutant eloped with a footman (her family is upset but one of the other debutantes is amused when another finds it romantic; *Spoiler*).
One illustration shows a bit of a debutante’s cleavage.
A rumor that Mr. Sinclair is a ladies’ man.
A mention of an “old geezer” having a mistress he didn’t want his wife to know about & him being blackmailed for it; A mention of mooning.
Review of Book #1
February 8, 2016
This is a review of both The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow and The Mystery of the Jewelled Moth, but does not contain spoilers about either.
I'm a big fan of middle grade mysteries, so The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow was pretty high on my TBR. I've always enjoyed ornate department stores. I love taking my time, carefully discovering the delights each floor has to offer (I must admit, the food hall is a firm favourite). Sinclair's, a luxury department store in London's Piccadilly, is the perfect setting for Sophie Taylor's story.
Sophie is an orphan and young employee at Sinclair's, determined to track down the violent thief who's stolen a priceless clockwork sparrow from the store. But an even bigger mystery emerges while on her adventures, accompanied by new best friends Lillian, Billy and Joe. And The Mystery of the Jewelled Moth takes us out of the extravagance that is Sinclair's and onto the impoverished and grimy streets of early 1900s East End of London, where danger lurks around every corner – particularly the formidable Baron's Boys, villains we're introduced to in the first book.
Katherine Woodfine's series is an utter delight, with its intricate Edwardian setting and colourful characters. I loved devouring stories of bonbons and iced buns, beautiful dresses and hats - and even the rich, snobby customers! The incredible setting mixed with our brave and intelligent protagonists make for two marvellous stories. I loved accompanying Sophie and Lil as they cracked codes, duped debutantes, and solved conundrums, secrets and puzzles - not bad for a day's work! And we meet many more lovable – and even odious – characters along the way.
The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow series is perfect for fans of Enid Blyton and Murder Most Unladylike. Stay tuned for The Mystery of the Painted Dragon – I'm looking forward to spending more time at Sinclair's!
Thank you to the publisher for providing this book for review!
I also reviewed this book over on Pretty Books.
I'm a big fan of middle grade mysteries, so The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow was pretty high on my TBR. I've always enjoyed ornate department stores. I love taking my time, carefully discovering the delights each floor has to offer (I must admit, the food hall is a firm favourite). Sinclair's, a luxury department store in London's Piccadilly, is the perfect setting for Sophie Taylor's story.
Sophie is an orphan and young employee at Sinclair's, determined to track down the violent thief who's stolen a priceless clockwork sparrow from the store. But an even bigger mystery emerges while on her adventures, accompanied by new best friends Lillian, Billy and Joe. And The Mystery of the Jewelled Moth takes us out of the extravagance that is Sinclair's and onto the impoverished and grimy streets of early 1900s East End of London, where danger lurks around every corner – particularly the formidable Baron's Boys, villains we're introduced to in the first book.
Katherine Woodfine's series is an utter delight, with its intricate Edwardian setting and colourful characters. I loved devouring stories of bonbons and iced buns, beautiful dresses and hats - and even the rich, snobby customers! The incredible setting mixed with our brave and intelligent protagonists make for two marvellous stories. I loved accompanying Sophie and Lil as they cracked codes, duped debutantes, and solved conundrums, secrets and puzzles - not bad for a day's work! And we meet many more lovable – and even odious – characters along the way.
The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow series is perfect for fans of Enid Blyton and Murder Most Unladylike. Stay tuned for The Mystery of the Painted Dragon – I'm looking forward to spending more time at Sinclair's!
Thank you to the publisher for providing this book for review!
I also reviewed this book over on Pretty Books.
February 6, 2016
Exciting, mysterious, glamorous and totally delicious, this second book in the series is even better than the first. It reminded me hugely of Philip Pullman's Sally Lockheart books (my absolute favourites) - safe to say I loved it!
Read
July 19, 2018I read the first book in this series ('The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow') last year and really loved the quintessential nature of Woodfine's Victorian London. I am largely interested in this period and so the references to everyday occurrences, items and expressions was deeply comforting and warming. I also enjoyed the frequent snippets from the Guide for Debuntes!
Aside from this, the mystery itself is interesting and, whilst I did not feel the same LEVEL of suspense as I did in the first book, I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Aside from this, the mystery itself is interesting and, whilst I did not feel the same LEVEL of suspense as I did in the first book, I enjoyed it nonetheless.
December 27, 2023
Not particularly memorable, but this is very cozy and fun. Think Nancy Drew meets The Agency series by YS Lee
January 31, 2022
I recently read the first book in the Sinclair's Mystery Series and overall enjoyed it. This book started off strong but then after the first fifty pages or so it really started to drag and I was not that interested. I think the main problem for me was that the Sinclair department store was not at the center as the previous one. I enjoyed being in the hustle and bustle of the store and meeting the different workers and customers. I am not sure if I will be continuing on after this.
February 11, 2020
4 out of 10
Ugh. Gave the series a second chance and it didn't work. I guess it's the writing. I also not a fan of the setting (all these virtues, manners and such).
April 13, 2026
Such a fun follow-up! I love the overarching series mystery and the hints we got in this one. Sophie and Lil were amazing, as usual, and the new characters were great too. I loved the importance of community. ❤️
CW: danger, threatening. A dead body is found in the river.
CW: danger, threatening. A dead body is found in the river.
September 2, 2025
I didn't care for this book as much as the first one only because it involved an entitled person, who more often than not, got on my nerves. It was all about her, her reputation, her risks, etc. while the gang from Sinclair's department store were the ones that were really in danger. However, by the end of the book this character somewhat redeemed herself so I felt the rating I gave this was just.
I'll probably wait a little bit to finish up the other two books in the series which I have but will plan to read them at some point.
I'll probably wait a little bit to finish up the other two books in the series which I have but will plan to read them at some point.
August 2, 2023
I *loved* this! The characters are delightful, the mystery and story was rich in Edwardian period details and I so look forward to reading the next books in coming months!
April 18, 2021
Today was the perfect day to read this book because I just finished The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins yesterday and this book has several very clear references to The Moonstone, e.g. The Moonbeam Diamond and the whole legend around it (albeit the legend is from China in this book and not India), the character Mr Betteredge, and a theme of being disguised/two-faced (or maybe three or four faced?). I love that Katherine Woodfine honors the first English detective novel in her own detective novel. Anthony McDermott of Scotland Yard is a worthy successor to Sergeant Cuff, as, of course, are Sophie, Lil, Joe, Billy, and Mei. Bet Wilkie Collins never saw young lady detectives coming!
This book was so much fun. A very worthy successor to the first book. My guess about a certain plot point was accurate, though there is still a lot more to that storyline than I can guess. We learned a lot more about the Baron in this book than I was expecting. That was satisfying!
I love the introduction of the Lim family and the community that converges at Lim’s shop at the end of the book from all different walks of life. Sophie’s best line was that she is not alone, even though she is an orphan. I love books that surround lonely characters with friends and family and show them all working together and fighting for the good.
This book was so much fun. A very worthy successor to the first book. My guess about a certain plot point was accurate, though there is still a lot more to that storyline than I can guess. We learned a lot more about the Baron in this book than I was expecting. That was satisfying!
I love the introduction of the Lim family and the community that converges at Lim’s shop at the end of the book from all different walks of life. Sophie’s best line was that she is not alone, even though she is an orphan. I love books that surround lonely characters with friends and family and show them all working together and fighting for the good.
May 24, 2021
In this book, it is guaranteed that you will:
. Wonder at the puzzling disappearance of the jeweled Moth!
. Marvel as Miss Sophie Taylor and Miss Lillian Rose create cunning disguises!
. Applaud their bravery as they follow a trail of terrible secrets that leads straight to London's most dangerous criminal master mind and could put heir own lives at risk!
IT WILL BE THE MOST THRILLING EVENT OF THE SEASON!
I love this book so much and as it so happens, I accidentally read the Taylor & Rose Mysteries beforehand (which, by the way, are very good) even though they came after the Sinclair Mysteries, but I didn't know that at the time.
I recommend this book fore those of you who like detective stories. This book is set in the 1900s and the author has really made the book come to life and it is like I am there and witnessing Sophie and Lil in action infront off my eyes! If you haven't read it before and are looking for something to read, this novel would be a good choice!
. Wonder at the puzzling disappearance of the jeweled Moth!
. Marvel as Miss Sophie Taylor and Miss Lillian Rose create cunning disguises!
. Applaud their bravery as they follow a trail of terrible secrets that leads straight to London's most dangerous criminal master mind and could put heir own lives at risk!
IT WILL BE THE MOST THRILLING EVENT OF THE SEASON!
I love this book so much and as it so happens, I accidentally read the Taylor & Rose Mysteries beforehand (which, by the way, are very good) even though they came after the Sinclair Mysteries, but I didn't know that at the time.
I recommend this book fore those of you who like detective stories. This book is set in the 1900s and the author has really made the book come to life and it is like I am there and witnessing Sophie and Lil in action infront off my eyes! If you haven't read it before and are looking for something to read, this novel would be a good choice!
July 9, 2019
I fell in love with Sinclair's apartment store and the Victorian London setting within a few pages of the previous novel in the series. The Jewelled Moth introduced us to Limehouse and its residents, who I hope to see return in the other Sinclair Mysteries.
The Jewelled Moth overall is an exciting sequel full of history, storytelling, cucumber sandwiches and extravagant gowns. There was somewhat a lack of character development but there are more mysteries to discover for that. Just when I was slightly disappointed with the outcome of the Baron's identity the author turned the story around, breaking apart a completed puzzle.
I may wait a while but I would like to read the next book in the series.
The Jewelled Moth overall is an exciting sequel full of history, storytelling, cucumber sandwiches and extravagant gowns. There was somewhat a lack of character development but there are more mysteries to discover for that. Just when I was slightly disappointed with the outcome of the Baron's identity the author turned the story around, breaking apart a completed puzzle.
I may wait a while but I would like to read the next book in the series.
November 5, 2021
Według mnie druga część cyklu "Tajemnice domu handlowego Sinclairs" jest równie dobra co pierwsza, czyli "Pozytywka". Dzieci oraz młodzież powinny się przy niej świetnie bawić. "Drogocenna ćma" wciąga i zaskakuje a jednocześnie nieco denerwuje starszego czytelnika, który jednak mimo wszystko nie jest tak naiwny jak młodszy odbiorca. Widzi on wszelkie słabe strony tej książki i wie, że pewne zwroty akcji po prostu byłyby niemożliwe w realnym życiu.
Katherine Woodfine znów wysyła Sophie i Lil na bardzo niebezpieczną przygodę. Tym razem pomagają one pannie Veronice pochodzącej z zamożnego domu w Londynie. Mają odnaleźć przepiękną i drogocenną broszkę podarowaną jej przez adoratora. Kim jest jej wielbiciel? Co stało się z broszką? Dlaczego interesują się nią nie tylko nasze bohaterki, ale także mała dziewczynka z China Town?
Sięgnijcie po książkę i sami się przekonajcie.
Katherine Woodfine znów wysyła Sophie i Lil na bardzo niebezpieczną przygodę. Tym razem pomagają one pannie Veronice pochodzącej z zamożnego domu w Londynie. Mają odnaleźć przepiękną i drogocenną broszkę podarowaną jej przez adoratora. Kim jest jej wielbiciel? Co stało się z broszką? Dlaczego interesują się nią nie tylko nasze bohaterki, ale także mała dziewczynka z China Town?
Sięgnijcie po książkę i sami się przekonajcie.
July 8, 2019
Londra, 1909. Proseguono le indagini di Sophie, la giovane commessa del reparto modisteria dei magazzini Sinclair. Questa volta la ragazza è alle prese con un diamante rubato, un omicidio, un matrimonio che non s'ha da fare e naturalmente lui, il Barone, il perfido genio del crimine che tiene in pugno l'intera città.
Questa serie di gialli per ragazzi – assolutamente godibile anche dagli adulti – potrebbe essere il soggetto ideale per una miniserie televisiva. Non annoia mai e ti lascia sempre con il desiderio di un nuovo libro da leggere. Consigliatissimo per queste calde giornate estive.
Questa serie di gialli per ragazzi – assolutamente godibile anche dagli adulti – potrebbe essere il soggetto ideale per una miniserie televisiva. Non annoia mai e ti lascia sempre con il desiderio di un nuovo libro da leggere. Consigliatissimo per queste calde giornate estive.
January 29, 2025
I always love picking up books in this series. Each one is so wonderfully structured and the imagery is so vibrant, it’s just such a fun read. I try not to tear through the books too fast but they always get intense toward the end.
This book was a joy and I look forward to continuing this series. Slowly the big mystery is getting unraveled and I’m very curious to see how it all turns out. I also found out there are spinoff mini adventures for Sophie and Lil and now I don’t feel so bad if I end up finishing this series too quickly haha.
This book was a joy and I look forward to continuing this series. Slowly the big mystery is getting unraveled and I’m very curious to see how it all turns out. I also found out there are spinoff mini adventures for Sophie and Lil and now I don’t feel so bad if I end up finishing this series too quickly haha.
August 28, 2025
Absolutely LOVED this book!! The historical content, the friendships, and the mystery were incredibly well done. I will be continuing the series!
April 10, 2026
I love this continuation of the series!
July 19, 2023
Fun mystery novel! 😊
February 25, 2016
'I daresay we'll meet again.'
Just a few months after the first book has ended - it's set in 1909, by the way - the second part takes off. All four novels take place in one year.
The major characters are all known by now, so it's clearly time to delve deeper into the mystery of who the Baron really is. It might seem surprising, really, since we're only halfway through the series at the end of The Jewelled Moth, but this is the story in which many questions are answered. New ones pop up too, of course, especially about , but as far as the Baron is concerned we're already given a good image of who he is. Even more astonishing perhaps, is the fact that you can already see his empire slowly crumbling. Sophie, Lil and their friends clearly aren't good for business. You'd think that would start happening later on in the series, perhaps near the end of Book 3 - The Painted Dragon, but that's clearly not how Woodfine works. She does want to give us some of the answers throughout the entire series, in bits and pieces, and not just one big info dump at the end.
We also meet some other new characters who'll be returning in the rest of the series. Especially Veronica is striking: she grows from an annoying, sullen character into someone who clearly starts developing her own ideas and ideals. And she forms a good relationship with Sophie and Lil too - grudgingly at first, more naturally later on. As for Sophie and Lil, they're just as awesome as they were in Book 1. Perfect in every way.
The story takes off much faster than in the first book. From the very first chapter it's clear what the problem is. The author does incorporate some calmer scenes as well, though, and I found myself breathing a little easier compared to The Clockwork Sparrow a couple of times. I really needed to catch my breath sometimes, then, but I didn't have to do so with this book.
There's a surprise waiting, of course. When you're more or less in the middle of the story, the initial mystery is solved. Then there's a very unexpected development, and it shoots off once more. Nice one!
We also get to see a bit more of London this time. The first book was mostly limited to Sinclair's store itself, and a bit of its and Sophie and Lil's surroundings. Now we're visiting the East End (no, not the TV show) and some other places. It's really interesting to read about, especially since Woodfine also incorporates - again - small fragments of ordinary life not just in Sinclair's department store this time, but also of those other parts of London.
Jolly well done!
9.7/10
Just a few months after the first book has ended - it's set in 1909, by the way - the second part takes off. All four novels take place in one year.
The major characters are all known by now, so it's clearly time to delve deeper into the mystery of who the Baron really is. It might seem surprising, really, since we're only halfway through the series at the end of The Jewelled Moth, but this is the story in which many questions are answered. New ones pop up too, of course, especially about , but as far as the Baron is concerned we're already given a good image of who he is. Even more astonishing perhaps, is the fact that you can already see his empire slowly crumbling. Sophie, Lil and their friends clearly aren't good for business. You'd think that would start happening later on in the series, perhaps near the end of Book 3 - The Painted Dragon, but that's clearly not how Woodfine works. She does want to give us some of the answers throughout the entire series, in bits and pieces, and not just one big info dump at the end.
We also meet some other new characters who'll be returning in the rest of the series. Especially Veronica is striking: she grows from an annoying, sullen character into someone who clearly starts developing her own ideas and ideals. And she forms a good relationship with Sophie and Lil too - grudgingly at first, more naturally later on. As for Sophie and Lil, they're just as awesome as they were in Book 1. Perfect in every way.
The story takes off much faster than in the first book. From the very first chapter it's clear what the problem is. The author does incorporate some calmer scenes as well, though, and I found myself breathing a little easier compared to The Clockwork Sparrow a couple of times. I really needed to catch my breath sometimes, then, but I didn't have to do so with this book.
There's a surprise waiting, of course. When you're more or less in the middle of the story, the initial mystery is solved. Then there's a very unexpected development, and it shoots off once more. Nice one!
We also get to see a bit more of London this time. The first book was mostly limited to Sinclair's store itself, and a bit of its and Sophie and Lil's surroundings. Now we're visiting the East End (no, not the TV show) and some other places. It's really interesting to read about, especially since Woodfine also incorporates - again - small fragments of ordinary life not just in Sinclair's department store this time, but also of those other parts of London.
Jolly well done!
9.7/10
August 16, 2020
Oh, I REALLY enjoyed this second book in the Sinclair's mystery series. It expands very well on what was charming and intriguing in the first novel, unravelling ever more of the trail of crimes and horror surrounding chief antagonist The Baron.
I particularly loved the character of Mei - a plucky young British-Chinese girl living in China Town when it was still located in the East End at the turn of the last century. (The things I learn from YA fiction!) Woodfine does an excellent job of introducing Mei and her family, writing with quite sensitive, lovely insight about Mei's Chinese heritage and family traditions. I do only wish that Mei had been able to play more of an active role in the book - she fades into a supporting role about halfway through once the book's focus shifts to the Sinclair's gang.
Woodfine is actually very ambitious with the multiple themes and ideas she has woven into her sophomore novel, and I think she mostly pulled it off with aplomb. Apart from delving into a part of the East End that is often left out in stories, she introduces us to the diametric opposite situation in terms of class, wealth and race - the debutante ball. The prim propriety of Veronica Whiteley's anticipated engagement to long-time bachelor Lord Beaucastle serves as a delightful counterpoint to the charming rough-and-tumble life we see unfolding in Limehouse.
At the same time, Woodfine introduces a thread very much about the evils of colonialism, anchoring the plot on the theft of a precious jewel by a white man (named Wai Guo Ren, or Foreigner, by the Chinese villagers left in his criminal wake). We are not asked to swallow a more benign motivation for his decision to steal away an emblem of the sacred heritage of a culture he does not know. It's presented as what it is - an act of brutality, of war.
Really enjoyed watching this band of young detectives grow and change throughout the case too. Lil remains an effervescent delight. Billy becomes more annoying and sanctimonious in his new job as Sinclair's office boy, though I suspect that's part of the point. Joe must come to terms with his trauma and the violent past he has escaped. And Sophie has family secrets yet to unravel - secrets which might even help explain why the nefarious Baron didn't simply have her eliminated at the end of the first book in the series (one of the plotholes that bothered me a little).
Lots of fun. While there's lots of crimes to be had, this series seems to be shaping up to be more about espionage than pure murder/burglary. That was unexpected on my part, but is proving to be quite a charming twist in the tale!
I particularly loved the character of Mei - a plucky young British-Chinese girl living in China Town when it was still located in the East End at the turn of the last century. (The things I learn from YA fiction!) Woodfine does an excellent job of introducing Mei and her family, writing with quite sensitive, lovely insight about Mei's Chinese heritage and family traditions. I do only wish that Mei had been able to play more of an active role in the book - she fades into a supporting role about halfway through once the book's focus shifts to the Sinclair's gang.
Woodfine is actually very ambitious with the multiple themes and ideas she has woven into her sophomore novel, and I think she mostly pulled it off with aplomb. Apart from delving into a part of the East End that is often left out in stories, she introduces us to the diametric opposite situation in terms of class, wealth and race - the debutante ball. The prim propriety of Veronica Whiteley's anticipated engagement to long-time bachelor Lord Beaucastle serves as a delightful counterpoint to the charming rough-and-tumble life we see unfolding in Limehouse.
At the same time, Woodfine introduces a thread very much about the evils of colonialism, anchoring the plot on the theft of a precious jewel by a white man (named Wai Guo Ren, or Foreigner, by the Chinese villagers left in his criminal wake). We are not asked to swallow a more benign motivation for his decision to steal away an emblem of the sacred heritage of a culture he does not know. It's presented as what it is - an act of brutality, of war.
Really enjoyed watching this band of young detectives grow and change throughout the case too. Lil remains an effervescent delight. Billy becomes more annoying and sanctimonious in his new job as Sinclair's office boy, though I suspect that's part of the point. Joe must come to terms with his trauma and the violent past he has escaped. And Sophie has family secrets yet to unravel - secrets which might even help explain why the nefarious Baron didn't simply have her eliminated at the end of the first book in the series (one of the plotholes that bothered me a little).
Lots of fun. While there's lots of crimes to be had, this series seems to be shaping up to be more about espionage than pure murder/burglary. That was unexpected on my part, but is proving to be quite a charming twist in the tale!
December 5, 2019
Oh wow. I really really really really really really really (two thousand more reallys) LOVED IT!!! 😁
(Spoilers!) 😐
Ok... I kinda got lost near the end with the Beaucastle not actually being the man he said he was, and the Baron and everything. It was pretty confusing! 🤔
I thought the story line was good with Mei and her family having a connection with the jeweled moth and Lord Beaucastle (aka the baron) and yeah... 😉
Ok some parts were kinda weird but they made sense near the end.
I thought the whole party (Veronica's coming out ball) near the end was really nice, and I liked reading about it.
Mr Cooper (the sacked manager of Sinclairs') being Beaucastle's sneaky and annoying butler was good. 😏
The detail was good And I really enjoyed reading every chapter. 😜
The murder with Emily Montague dying, was good, and made sense.
I thought All the characters are loveable. ❤
And the ending, with the REAL Baron trying to kill Lil, Sophie and Mei, along with Joe, and the Baron getting away and shooting the lights and the very last party at the Lim's house was all incredibly written!
The book was filled with tons of party's but not so many buns unlike the first one! 😂
I can't wait to read the third one!!!!!
And yeah... Highly recommend!!! 😊
I really really really (two hundred thousand more reallys) LOVED IT! 🤓
(Spoilers!) 😐
Ok... I kinda got lost near the end with the Beaucastle not actually being the man he said he was, and the Baron and everything. It was pretty confusing! 🤔
I thought the story line was good with Mei and her family having a connection with the jeweled moth and Lord Beaucastle (aka the baron) and yeah... 😉
Ok some parts were kinda weird but they made sense near the end.
I thought the whole party (Veronica's coming out ball) near the end was really nice, and I liked reading about it.
Mr Cooper (the sacked manager of Sinclairs') being Beaucastle's sneaky and annoying butler was good. 😏
The detail was good And I really enjoyed reading every chapter. 😜
The murder with Emily Montague dying, was good, and made sense.
I thought All the characters are loveable. ❤
And the ending, with the REAL Baron trying to kill Lil, Sophie and Mei, along with Joe, and the Baron getting away and shooting the lights and the very last party at the Lim's house was all incredibly written!
The book was filled with tons of party's but not so many buns unlike the first one! 😂
I can't wait to read the third one!!!!!
And yeah... Highly recommend!!! 😊
I really really really (two hundred thousand more reallys) LOVED IT! 🤓
March 31, 2020
3.75 stars
June 14, 2021
Very exciting and excellent
May 17, 2023
Чудова підліткова серія книг, майстерно написана!🥰
December 15, 2023
3,5⭐/5
„Drogocenna ćma” jest dość udaną kontynuacją pierwszej części cyklu. To książka podobna do swej poprzedniczki, zagadka jest tak samo fascynująca jak w „Pozytywce”, a bohaterowie rozbudowani jeszcze bardziej, nabierają więcej ogłady i dorastają.
Książka utrzymana jest w podobnym klimacie, co poprzednia część, tło wydarzeń stanowi brudny Londyn z XIX wieku. Klimat powieści utrzymany jest przez jej całość, autorka ma dar do opisywania wielu aspektów z tym związanych posługując się rozbudowanym słownictwem pasującym do danej epoki. Historia ujęta w tej części jest bardzo podobna do tej, którą otrzymaliśmy w „Pozytywce”, jednak Woodfine rozbudowała zagadkę i dodała kilka ciekawych smaczków (pod koniec jest wiele odniesień do tego, że główny antagonista był w jakiś sposób związany z rodziną Sophie), dzięki czemu przez książkę się płynie, w żadnym momencie ona nie nudzi. Niektóre jednak fragmenty, dla starszego czytelnika, mogą wydawać się naiwne, wręcz nie do uwierzenia, ale biorąc na to poprawkę, że jest to książka dla młodszej młodzieży, nie jest to aż tak widoczne, a dość łatwe do wybaczenia. Autorka porusza tu wiele różnych tematów, głównie związanych z prawami kobiet, feminizmem czy edukacją dziewcząt, za co wielki plus, ponieważ zrobiła to z wyczuciem. Ponadto bohaterowie powieści dojrzewają i widać to w ich działaniach – nadal są dziećmi, choć z wielkimi bagażami doświadczeń i z wyższym poziomem dedukcji. Ponadto w tej części pojawia się więcej bohaterów, jak np. 14-letnia Mei Lim i jej rodzina, która dodaje do książki klimatu legend i baśni. Jest to kolejny zabieg na plus i ogółem nie mogę doczekać się kolejnej części z nadzieją, że będzie tak samo dobra.
„Drogocenna ćma” jest dość udaną kontynuacją pierwszej części cyklu. To książka podobna do swej poprzedniczki, zagadka jest tak samo fascynująca jak w „Pozytywce”, a bohaterowie rozbudowani jeszcze bardziej, nabierają więcej ogłady i dorastają.
Książka utrzymana jest w podobnym klimacie, co poprzednia część, tło wydarzeń stanowi brudny Londyn z XIX wieku. Klimat powieści utrzymany jest przez jej całość, autorka ma dar do opisywania wielu aspektów z tym związanych posługując się rozbudowanym słownictwem pasującym do danej epoki. Historia ujęta w tej części jest bardzo podobna do tej, którą otrzymaliśmy w „Pozytywce”, jednak Woodfine rozbudowała zagadkę i dodała kilka ciekawych smaczków (pod koniec jest wiele odniesień do tego, że główny antagonista był w jakiś sposób związany z rodziną Sophie), dzięki czemu przez książkę się płynie, w żadnym momencie ona nie nudzi. Niektóre jednak fragmenty, dla starszego czytelnika, mogą wydawać się naiwne, wręcz nie do uwierzenia, ale biorąc na to poprawkę, że jest to książka dla młodszej młodzieży, nie jest to aż tak widoczne, a dość łatwe do wybaczenia. Autorka porusza tu wiele różnych tematów, głównie związanych z prawami kobiet, feminizmem czy edukacją dziewcząt, za co wielki plus, ponieważ zrobiła to z wyczuciem. Ponadto bohaterowie powieści dojrzewają i widać to w ich działaniach – nadal są dziećmi, choć z wielkimi bagażami doświadczeń i z wyższym poziomem dedukcji. Ponadto w tej części pojawia się więcej bohaterów, jak np. 14-letnia Mei Lim i jej rodzina, która dodaje do książki klimatu legend i baśni. Jest to kolejny zabieg na plus i ogółem nie mogę doczekać się kolejnej części z nadzieją, że będzie tak samo dobra.
February 23, 2016
So, I dived straight in to this after the first one, and if it's even possible...it's even better! We get to see a different side to London and there's new characters for us to get to know and enjoy!
We still get the paper clippings, among other things, to break up the narrative, and each part now has an extract from the Etiquette for Debutantes book, which was oddly fascinating. To see how they where expected to act, and all the rules and things that we find strange and kind of insulting in this day and age!
New character Mei greets us with her narrative, and it immediately intrigued me. I'd already seen the authors article about her research for this book, so I was excited to read all about this other China Town. Much like most other people...I was completely unaware of this other China town in London, and I'm kinda disappointed in myself because I'm a history nerd and yet I didn't know?! There's even a brilliant authors note at the back of the book with more information, and I'm feeling a trip out to that part of London to have a scout about!
ANYWAY Mei's POV brought us right in to the story, and things are looking dire, the Baron is back and is extending his reach in to China Town and Mei's family are caught up in it. She gives us the rather interesting story that her Grandfather told, all about the Moonbeam Diamond and how their family looked after it. Man that story made me angry, because so typical of our people! In other words, Mei ties in perfectly with the story right from the beginning but it's a while before she comes in to play. But I loved her POV and seeing what life was like for her!
We also have new character Veronica, through her we get all about the life of a debutante, which, much like the extracts, is oddly fascinating. While she wasn't always the nicest person, I did feel for her because she didn't have a lot of choice in her life, and she was always watched, and she even says at one point she has no choice because that's not how things are done. Then at the end I loved her even more because she did something completely unexpected and it was awesome!
Much like the first book, the POV switches where brilliant, we just have two more POV's than usual. I love how in these books, they give you an extra insight in to the characters, and helps you to understand them, like Joe and his odd behaviour at points in this book. Each character has a distinctive voice and an entertaining narrative and you can always tell which character is narrating.
All of our favourite characters are back and better than ever, Sophie is a lot happier, Lil is going for bigger things, and Joe is happy now that he has a job but is still wary of going to the Baron's Boy's territory. Billy in contrast, is just as meticulous with his notes as ever, but at times I wanted to smack him one because he was like "Miss Atwood this, Miss Atwood that" "I can't do that because of so and so" like seriously Billy!? I thought you lived for this stuff!? But then Sophie's probably right about him!
I loved how everything tied together, especially between Mei and Veronica, from two incredibly separate worlds. It was brilliant! But then I knew from the first book that the author is brilliant at bringing all these different threads together and tying them up! I also like how the author showed the differences between Mei's part of London and the others. The different between Sinclair's and Mei's parent's shop. The difference between Piccadilly/Belgrave Square and Shadwell/Limehouse. It was fantastically done and very subtle.
The mystery was solved surprisingly early on in the book...but it didn't end there. With the reveal of the culprit came more questions, and more threads because there was way more going on, than met the eye. The plot was even bigger than the previous book! There was an entire other mystery to solve, and I was just as gripped by this book, and the mystery. Again I worked out the culprit of the theft, but at the same time...I was surprised a million times because like I said, there was so much more going on that I couldn't even guess at!
The build up to the climax and all the action in the book was brilliant and there were so many absolutely fantastic scenes in this book! The Debutante tea party, the entire ball sequence (which was both funny and full of suspense at the same time), the scene at the end with the Baron and the people of China Town, then McDermott showing up, and before that Pendleton and Veronica and all the others showing up, pure brilliance. Honestly, there where so many scenes that had me laughing as well as being on edge the very next second!
This is such a brilliant sequel and every bit as fantastic as the first book, it's just as fun as the first book and just as easy to read, as well as keeping you on your toes! You can read it one go, and get completely lost in the book and I loved exploring a different side to London in this book! There's still more questions left to be answered, especially as there's some mini mysteries popping up. Like Sophie's parents. I'm convinced even more now that The Baron had something to do with Sophie's father's dodgy will and ya know...death. I'm waiting for it to all come out! But then there's another piece of the puzzle thrown in with her mother! I can't take it with all the mystery! Anyway, I'm sure we'll see the Baron again because he's all ominous like that. I'm so ridiculously excited for the next book because it sounds even more awesome, and I'm looking forward to watching Lil and Sophie become badass lady detectives!
November 29, 2019
This book was charming, much like the first one. The author really manages to capture a certain atmosphere, and I liked the things that were added in this book. The new characters fit in pretty well, and I can only hope they will make reappearances in later books. But I also noticed now how the story is really mainly focusing on Sophie and Lil, and I do like that as well. I enjoyed their relationship as much as I did in the first one, they really compliment each other well.
These books are definitely a recommendation if you're looking for a fun middle grade mystery series. They are mostly lighthearted, but also go into some dark things. I feel like it's a good middle ground, and incredibly atmospheric. I'll be continuing this series for sure.
These books are definitely a recommendation if you're looking for a fun middle grade mystery series. They are mostly lighthearted, but also go into some dark things. I feel like it's a good middle ground, and incredibly atmospheric. I'll be continuing this series for sure.
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