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Cat Royal Adventures #1
The Diamond of Drury Lane
Set in 1790's Covent Garden this book whisks you back to a bygone era, and to embark on an adventure about one hidden treasure, two bare-knuckle boxers, three enemies, and four hundred and thirty-eight rioters.
It is the tale of Cat Royal, an orphan, four foot four with long red hair and not a penny to call her own. She lives in the Theater Royal on Drury Lane, a place filled with dramatic characters, theatrical spectacles, and now, a secret treasure--which Cat has been asked to protect. Her new friend Pedro, a former slave and gifted violinist, is eager to help, and so is the theater prompter, Jonathan, who is hiding secrets of his own. But when the ruthless gang leader Billy Shepherd learns about the treasure, Cat thinks she's going to lose it for sure. She still doesn't know what the treasure is, so how can she keep it safe from Billy and his gang? Follow Cat into the streets of London, as she faces danger and adventure, racing to be the first to discover the diamond of Drury Lane!
It is the tale of Cat Royal, an orphan, four foot four with long red hair and not a penny to call her own. She lives in the Theater Royal on Drury Lane, a place filled with dramatic characters, theatrical spectacles, and now, a secret treasure--which Cat has been asked to protect. Her new friend Pedro, a former slave and gifted violinist, is eager to help, and so is the theater prompter, Jonathan, who is hiding secrets of his own. But when the ruthless gang leader Billy Shepherd learns about the treasure, Cat thinks she's going to lose it for sure. She still doesn't know what the treasure is, so how can she keep it safe from Billy and his gang? Follow Cat into the streets of London, as she faces danger and adventure, racing to be the first to discover the diamond of Drury Lane!
421 pages, Hardcover
First published January 2, 2006
54 people are currently reading
3256 people want to read
About the author
Julia Golding
84 books862 followersMy journey to becoming an author has been a roundabout one, taking in many other careers. I grew up on the edge of Epping Forest and was that dreamy kind of child who was always writing stories. After reading English at Cambridge, I decided to find out as much as I could about the wider world so joined the Foreign Office and served in Poland. My work as a diplomat took me from the high point of town twinning in the Tatra Mountains to the low of inspecting the bottom of a Silesian coal mine.
On leaving Poland, I exchanged diplomacy for academia and took a doctorate in the literature of the English Romantic Period at Oxford. I then joined Oxfam as a lobbyist on conflict issues, campaigning at the UN and with governments to lessen the impact of conflict on civilians living in war zones - a cause about which I still feel very passionate.
Married with three children, I now live in Oxford between two rivers, surrounded by gargoyles, beautiful sandstone buildings and ancient trees.
My first novel, 'The Diamond of Drury Lane', won the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize 2006 and the Nestle Children's Book Prize 2006 (formerly known as the Smarties Prize). I was also chosen by Waterstone's in 2007 as one of their 'Twenty-five authors for the future'. In the US, 'Secret of the Sirens' won the honor book medal of the Green Earth Book Award.
My latest series, which starts with Mel Foster and the Demon Butler, about an intrepid Victorian orphan who lives in a household of monsters, won Bronze in the Primary Teacher awards in 2015. The next part, Mel Foster and the Time Machine, has set the time-dial to arrive in 2016.
On leaving Poland, I exchanged diplomacy for academia and took a doctorate in the literature of the English Romantic Period at Oxford. I then joined Oxfam as a lobbyist on conflict issues, campaigning at the UN and with governments to lessen the impact of conflict on civilians living in war zones - a cause about which I still feel very passionate.
Married with three children, I now live in Oxford between two rivers, surrounded by gargoyles, beautiful sandstone buildings and ancient trees.
My first novel, 'The Diamond of Drury Lane', won the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize 2006 and the Nestle Children's Book Prize 2006 (formerly known as the Smarties Prize). I was also chosen by Waterstone's in 2007 as one of their 'Twenty-five authors for the future'. In the US, 'Secret of the Sirens' won the honor book medal of the Green Earth Book Award.
My latest series, which starts with Mel Foster and the Demon Butler, about an intrepid Victorian orphan who lives in a household of monsters, won Bronze in the Primary Teacher awards in 2015. The next part, Mel Foster and the Time Machine, has set the time-dial to arrive in 2016.
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January 9, 2021
خلاصه: (لندن، ۱۷۹۰) کَت رویال دختری است که در تئاتر رویال زندگی میکند. او فرزندخواندهی صاحب تئاتر، آقای شرایدن نیز هست. داستان از جایی شروع میشود که روزی کَت متوجه میشود آقای شرایدن یک گنج پنهان دارد، یک الماس. کَت تصمیم میگیرد از این الماس محافظت کند و در این راه با چالشهایی که هیچکس نمیتواند پیشبینی کند مواجه میشود و...
بالاخره این مجموعه رو شروع کردم و جلد اول رو تمام کردم.... نمیدونم چند ساله که میخوام این مجموعه رو بخونم ولی نمیدونم چرا نمیشد، تا اینکه بالاخره عزمم رو جزم کردم و شروعش کردم. به طور خلاصه در مورد جلد اول بگم که خیلی دوستش داشتم. حس نوستالژی داشت برام. نثر فوقالعاده روون و خوبی داره. ایدهی داستان خیلی جذاب و گیراست و اصلا خسته کننده نیست. پایانش رو هم خیلی دوست داشتم و واقعا ازش لذت بردم. اصلا فکر نمیکردم همچین پایان قشنگ و دلچسبی داشته باشه...
بریم که جلد دوم رو شروع کنیم.... ✌😍
بالاخره این مجموعه رو شروع کردم و جلد اول رو تمام کردم.... نمیدونم چند ساله که میخوام این مجموعه رو بخونم ولی نمیدونم چرا نمیشد، تا اینکه بالاخره عزمم رو جزم کردم و شروعش کردم. به طور خلاصه در مورد جلد اول بگم که خیلی دوستش داشتم. حس نوستالژی داشت برام. نثر فوقالعاده روون و خوبی داره. ایدهی داستان خیلی جذاب و گیراست و اصلا خسته کننده نیست. پایانش رو هم خیلی دوست داشتم و واقعا ازش لذت بردم. اصلا فکر نمیکردم همچین پایان قشنگ و دلچسبی داشته باشه...
بریم که جلد دوم رو شروع کنیم.... ✌😍
July 28, 2016
This story is part of a series which includes: "Cat Among the Pigeons", "Den of Thieves", "Cat O'Nine Tails" and "Black Heart of Jamaica".
An orphaned 12-year-old girl named Catherine 'Cat' Royal lives in the Theatre Royal in late 18th Century London. The owner of the theatre (Mr Sheridan) took her in and named her Cat Royal who becomes a mascot, maid-cum-runabout to the theatre, tidying, acting as a prompt during shows etc.
Cat overhears Mr Sheridan and a man named Marchmont talking about hiding a diamond in the theatre, this thus starts the problem which spans the entire novel 'Where (or who) is the diamond?'.
This story is written from Cat’s viewpoint as a child who knows she was unwanted, but feels privileged to lead a life behind the scenes of the theatre, running errands, watching the best shows and plays in London and sleeping amongst the costumes in the attics.
After an accident with one of the props, Cat ends up dangling from the platforms above the stage. Pedro, a young black boy who has a genius for the violin, saves her life but then runs off, Cat goes to find him and they run into a local gang of criminal boys led by Billy ‘Boil’ Shepherd– but attracts some punishment herself. Cat is gutsy and charming, and also pragmatic – in that she shrugs off life’s injustices as something she must put up with.
The story extends to the filthy alleyways and markets of London which is Cat’s playground. She mingles with the high and low of society, from actors to the lords and ladies in the stalls to the barrow boys in the grimy marketplace. The tale is packed with local colour and authentic detail. There is, of course the mystery of the diamond to be revealed too.
I found this story and Cat’s characterisation delightful, and an excellent introduction to historical fiction for young people. Highly recommended.
An orphaned 12-year-old girl named Catherine 'Cat' Royal lives in the Theatre Royal in late 18th Century London. The owner of the theatre (Mr Sheridan) took her in and named her Cat Royal who becomes a mascot, maid-cum-runabout to the theatre, tidying, acting as a prompt during shows etc.
Cat overhears Mr Sheridan and a man named Marchmont talking about hiding a diamond in the theatre, this thus starts the problem which spans the entire novel 'Where (or who) is the diamond?'.
This story is written from Cat’s viewpoint as a child who knows she was unwanted, but feels privileged to lead a life behind the scenes of the theatre, running errands, watching the best shows and plays in London and sleeping amongst the costumes in the attics.
After an accident with one of the props, Cat ends up dangling from the platforms above the stage. Pedro, a young black boy who has a genius for the violin, saves her life but then runs off, Cat goes to find him and they run into a local gang of criminal boys led by Billy ‘Boil’ Shepherd– but attracts some punishment herself. Cat is gutsy and charming, and also pragmatic – in that she shrugs off life’s injustices as something she must put up with.
The story extends to the filthy alleyways and markets of London which is Cat’s playground. She mingles with the high and low of society, from actors to the lords and ladies in the stalls to the barrow boys in the grimy marketplace. The tale is packed with local colour and authentic detail. There is, of course the mystery of the diamond to be revealed too.
I found this story and Cat’s characterisation delightful, and an excellent introduction to historical fiction for young people. Highly recommended.
March 24, 2014
Let me start off by saying Wow! I did not expect that.
This book surprised me, my friend had recommended this to me a while back and my idiotic answer "you know I'm good I got other books I need to read" Biggest reason for this answer is because yes I judged the book by its cover, I am guilty of doing this so many times and then later be slapping myself because I didn't read those books sooner.
*Slap*
Okay now that we got that overwith. The main character Cat Royal is everything a herione should be she's witty, clever, not to mention knows how to hold her own! Girl power!
Anyway I won't really go into details about the other characters, even though I loved them, because then this review would be super long, but I will mention one more character.
Billy Shepard (did I even spell that right?) Back to the point, I usually go for the whole bad boy type of guys, but okay Billy is a whole nother category of bad. If you want to find out how bad, you'll just have to read and see for yourself ;)
Alrighty now from the look of this book you may think its only for younger kids elementary/middle school, NO! Think again, I am a high schooler and I really enjoyed this, my other friend who's also in high school enjoyed it as much as I did!
The problem! Not many people know about this book (series). I really wish more people knew about it! This book series deserves to be known!
Well to wrap it up, I fully recommend this book to anyone who loves a bit of historical fiction with a lot of action and a funny twist to it!
Why are you still here? Go read this book!
May 25, 2012
I quite liked this. My husband snaffled it away from me and read it first, laughing out loud several times. From the moment where Cat compares the theatre company to England, with Mr. Sheridan as the king, and herself as the mail-coach bringing news back and forth, leading Jonathan the prompter to describe himself as the bishop 'because he provides the word to those in need', I knew the author wasn't going to be lazy.
So it's a good old-fashioned melodrama, with thrilling escapes, jeopardy to spare, and the heroes and villains pretty well pegged from the beginning, but perhaps more fun for that?
The author does a good job, overall, of keeping modern attitudes out while keeping the characters sympathetic. It's clear that there was dissent and upheaval and nastiness, but the only lectures are from characters prone to lecture anyways. The poor are neither hapless nor saintly, and the rich are a mixed lot indeed.
I'd recommend this, and I'll probably check out the sequels.
So it's a good old-fashioned melodrama, with thrilling escapes, jeopardy to spare, and the heroes and villains pretty well pegged from the beginning, but perhaps more fun for that?
The author does a good job, overall, of keeping modern attitudes out while keeping the characters sympathetic. It's clear that there was dissent and upheaval and nastiness, but the only lectures are from characters prone to lecture anyways. The poor are neither hapless nor saintly, and the rich are a mixed lot indeed.
I'd recommend this, and I'll probably check out the sequels.
October 6, 2024
I wouldn't give it 5 stars if I was rating it today. But I can see why my middle school self loved this book and held Very Strong Opinions about the rest of the series. It is little wonder I grew up to love Georgette Heyer!
This is the story of a young girl raised in Drury Lane at the Theater Royal somewhere in the late 1790s/early 1800s. She runs with street gangs, hobnobs with nobility, and in general has multiple adventures around the theater. This is her first novel so the romantic triangle/square thing hasn't emerged yet. It is just one scrappy heroine and her unique cast of friends!
I appreciate how fleshed out the characters are. Cat is frequently annoying and naive, but at the end of the day quite likable. Pedro is morally gray and the idealistic lords often miss the mark. The villain is quite villainous and probably the only character without much nuance.
Overall I would likely give this series to my niece but I don't see myself seeking it out again.
This is the story of a young girl raised in Drury Lane at the Theater Royal somewhere in the late 1790s/early 1800s. She runs with street gangs, hobnobs with nobility, and in general has multiple adventures around the theater. This is her first novel so the romantic triangle/square thing hasn't emerged yet. It is just one scrappy heroine and her unique cast of friends!
I appreciate how fleshed out the characters are. Cat is frequently annoying and naive, but at the end of the day quite likable. Pedro is morally gray and the idealistic lords often miss the mark. The villain is quite villainous and probably the only character without much nuance.
Overall I would likely give this series to my niece but I don't see myself seeking it out again.
October 8, 2011
I will admit it, the cover is what first caught my eye and made me read on, but in this case, judging a book by it's cover proved to be a good thing, as this is a little gem of a novel. The story follows Cat Royal, an orphan living behind the scenes of the famous Theatre Royal in London, and the secrets she uncovers amongst the props and costumes. 'The Diamond of Drury Lane' is not just a fun romp. It also casts the reader back to the late Eighteenth Century, from the mean streets of London, to the lavish homes of the fabuously rich. If you want a breather from the multitudes of fantasy novels that seem to have taken over, then look no further than this, the first in what proves to be an exciting and refreshing series.
February 8, 2014
In 1790 London young Cat Royal is the ward of Theatre Royal Drury Lane; the best theatre in all of London. Cat loves the excitement of the theatre and the people she meets there, especially the former slave boy Pedro, who is now apprenticed to the maestro and the new prompt, Johnny Smith. Cat accidentally overhears the theatre owner Mr. Sheridan and another man discussing hiding a diamond in the theatre. When she is discovered, Cat promises to keep the diamond safe. She begins to suspect that Johnny has a secret and she also takes on the responsibility of keeping that secret safe. Together, with Pedro and Lord Francis, the exuberant young son of the Duke of Avon, Cat heads out into the mean streets of London for adventure. When her secrets are discovered and her life threatened, she learns the meaning of loyalty and discovers her true friends will help her protect the diamond of Drury Lane. Cat is a great heroine: funny, feisty, loyal and curious, she will appeal to modern preteen girls and boys. The secondary characters are also a bit unrealistic at times but they help populate Cat's world of 18th century London. The plot is less a mystery than I thought it would be and more adventure, which I liked. The story is chock full of nitty, gritty historical details that set the scene and teach the reader while being entertaining. A glossary at the back of the book defines 18th century slang terms. I love the way the book is presented from the "reviews" by real life notable figures of the time to the chapters being labeled acts and scenes and especially the period maps. This is a great read for preteens 11-13 and those who love Jacky Faber and other stories of lower class life in the 18th/early 19th centuries. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
February 9, 2008
Tried to buy this one for Harper but had trouble finding anyone else besides me who liked it to same irrational degree that I did. Thoroughly enjoyable and great good fun--Eighteenth Century Britain! Thieves and dastardly men! Sinister doings backstage at a theater! a freed slave coping with defining who he is in a world that is trying to define him as something very narrow indeed! If not quite exceptional, the Cat Royal books are sort of "Sally Lockhart Lite," and pretty much perfect for middle grade readers who aren't yet ready to tackle Pullman's denser historical thrillers. Also, the author is super nice (if a bit of a novel machine: she has published something like a dozen books in two and a half years: three or four Cat Royal books, the Companions Quartet, and then a whole slew of so-so stand-alone adventures).
December 29, 2017
O carte minunata! Multumesc Lili!
August 22, 2011
I read this as a favour to my Mum, who is a teacher. It is intended for 9-12 year olds, and I think it probably suites the lower end of this age range. It read as a book that was written for teaching, in that there are so many themes you could pull out of it to base lessons or discussions around.
Cat is an orphan in 18th century London - raised in a theatre by the owner and staff. As orphan's go she is a fairly lucky one - although she has been exposed to the rougher side of London, she has a safe and secure home to return to at the end of the day. She discovers that the theatre owner is hiding a treasure within the building, and though Cat has no idea where this treasure is, she swears to help protect it. Along the way she suffers from the unwanted attention of a young gang leader, befriends a rich girl and gets into, and out of, many tricky situations - with equal parts of her own cunning and the protection of friends.
There are plenty of things to talk about throughout the story - rich vs poor, politics, gang culture, theft, execution, boys vs girls and I'm sure many more that a talented teacher could pull out. As an adult reader the plot is fairly obvious, but I'm not sure the intended age range would see it that way. The principle characters are well defined and likeable (those that are supposed to be!) and mainly convincing. The end was a little over the top for my liking, and so didn't feel very authentic to me.
I doubt many 9 year olds would find much to criticise in this book, and they might learn something from it. There are probably better books out there for them though.
Cat is an orphan in 18th century London - raised in a theatre by the owner and staff. As orphan's go she is a fairly lucky one - although she has been exposed to the rougher side of London, she has a safe and secure home to return to at the end of the day. She discovers that the theatre owner is hiding a treasure within the building, and though Cat has no idea where this treasure is, she swears to help protect it. Along the way she suffers from the unwanted attention of a young gang leader, befriends a rich girl and gets into, and out of, many tricky situations - with equal parts of her own cunning and the protection of friends.
There are plenty of things to talk about throughout the story - rich vs poor, politics, gang culture, theft, execution, boys vs girls and I'm sure many more that a talented teacher could pull out. As an adult reader the plot is fairly obvious, but I'm not sure the intended age range would see it that way. The principle characters are well defined and likeable (those that are supposed to be!) and mainly convincing. The end was a little over the top for my liking, and so didn't feel very authentic to me.
I doubt many 9 year olds would find much to criticise in this book, and they might learn something from it. There are probably better books out there for them though.
December 11, 2011
Title: The Diamond of Drury Lane
Author: Julia Golding
Year: 2006
ISBN: (ISBN13: 9781405221498)
Type: book
Genre: Historical Fiction
Length/Pages & Reading Level: 421 pages; 9 and up.
Publisher/Studio name: Egmont Books (UK)
Plot: This story takes place in the late 18th century England and centers on a young girl raised in a theater. She is named after the theater. The performers, workers and owners are her family. She learns of a Diamond in the theater and enlists the help of a young performer to search for it. They encounter problems when a local gang lead by Cat’s nemesis discovers what they are searching for. When Cat learns that Johnny, the cartoonist accused of treason is the diamond she attempts to smuggle him out of England. This ignites a series of adventures that entail being arrested and encounters with gangs. She is ultimately successful in getting Johnny out of England and returns to her theater to discover she is the Diamond of the Theater Royal.
Review: This is a great story for the younger kids. The protagonist in the story is likeable, brave, inquisitive and smart. The book is designed like a play with acts and scenes. There is also a glossary for the slang used In the book. The author provides maps of London. I love stories centered on young strong-willed girls.
Annotation: Cat Royal is an Orphan raised in a Theater in 18th century London. She grows up in the tough gangs of Covent Garden and embarks on a quest to find the Diamond of Theater Royal. She uses her grit, wit and intelligence to survive.
See Also: Cat Royal Series
Author: Julia Golding
Year: 2006
ISBN: (ISBN13: 9781405221498)
Type: book
Genre: Historical Fiction
Length/Pages & Reading Level: 421 pages; 9 and up.
Publisher/Studio name: Egmont Books (UK)
Plot: This story takes place in the late 18th century England and centers on a young girl raised in a theater. She is named after the theater. The performers, workers and owners are her family. She learns of a Diamond in the theater and enlists the help of a young performer to search for it. They encounter problems when a local gang lead by Cat’s nemesis discovers what they are searching for. When Cat learns that Johnny, the cartoonist accused of treason is the diamond she attempts to smuggle him out of England. This ignites a series of adventures that entail being arrested and encounters with gangs. She is ultimately successful in getting Johnny out of England and returns to her theater to discover she is the Diamond of the Theater Royal.
Review: This is a great story for the younger kids. The protagonist in the story is likeable, brave, inquisitive and smart. The book is designed like a play with acts and scenes. There is also a glossary for the slang used In the book. The author provides maps of London. I love stories centered on young strong-willed girls.
Annotation: Cat Royal is an Orphan raised in a Theater in 18th century London. She grows up in the tough gangs of Covent Garden and embarks on a quest to find the Diamond of Theater Royal. She uses her grit, wit and intelligence to survive.
See Also: Cat Royal Series
February 19, 2013
The Diamond of Drury Lane follows Cat, a young girl growing up in the 1790s. Cat is fortunate as she tells us, she was left on the step of Drury Lane Theater as a baby and Mr Sheridan took her in. While she has no idea of her heritage she has a home and fascinating one at that.
Unlike many of her peers Cat can read and write, taught to her by the previous prompt at Drury Lane. She is also street smart and knows how to handle herself when left on her own.
The story starts with a riot at the theater because of a really bad play. That night Cat overhears Mr Sheridan talk about the Diamond of Drury Lane. When she’s discovered hiding behind a curtain Mr Sheridan tasks her with protecting the diamond.
This book is beautifully written, exciting and full of interesting historical information and characters. It’s also very funny, Cat’s narration is excellent and vivid. Despite the adventure Julia Golding has not ignored the darker side to Cat’s world which I think is great.
An excellent introduction to such a special girl, I’m really looking forward to reading Cat’s next adventure.
Unlike many of her peers Cat can read and write, taught to her by the previous prompt at Drury Lane. She is also street smart and knows how to handle herself when left on her own.
The story starts with a riot at the theater because of a really bad play. That night Cat overhears Mr Sheridan talk about the Diamond of Drury Lane. When she’s discovered hiding behind a curtain Mr Sheridan tasks her with protecting the diamond.
This book is beautifully written, exciting and full of interesting historical information and characters. It’s also very funny, Cat’s narration is excellent and vivid. Despite the adventure Julia Golding has not ignored the darker side to Cat’s world which I think is great.
An excellent introduction to such a special girl, I’m really looking forward to reading Cat’s next adventure.
October 9, 2008
Ah, so satisfying in so many ways!
Catherine "Cat" Royal is a foundling adopted by London's Drury Lane theater, circa the late 1700s. It's a position that lets her mingle with cast, crew, and audience members both high and low. When she overhears theater manager Mr. Sheridan saying how he is hiding a diamond in Drury Lane, her curiosity is piqued, although her discovery and subsequent protection of this diamond isn't exactly what anybody suspects.
Add to this some narrow escapes from street gangs, tea parties with aristocrats, phony robbery charges, an African-American violin prodigy with his own agenda (yes, you read that correctly) and a sweet lil' love story and you have one of the best children's mysteries that I've read in long these many years. For bonus points, there's a glossary of terms in the back explaining all the adorably roguish 18th-century slang.
I especially love the fact that Cat's transversing of various social classes is so plausible, and that the 18th-century mindset is so convincingly portrayed. Can't wait to read the sequel.
Catherine "Cat" Royal is a foundling adopted by London's Drury Lane theater, circa the late 1700s. It's a position that lets her mingle with cast, crew, and audience members both high and low. When she overhears theater manager Mr. Sheridan saying how he is hiding a diamond in Drury Lane, her curiosity is piqued, although her discovery and subsequent protection of this diamond isn't exactly what anybody suspects.
Add to this some narrow escapes from street gangs, tea parties with aristocrats, phony robbery charges, an African-American violin prodigy with his own agenda (yes, you read that correctly) and a sweet lil' love story and you have one of the best children's mysteries that I've read in long these many years. For bonus points, there's a glossary of terms in the back explaining all the adorably roguish 18th-century slang.
I especially love the fact that Cat's transversing of various social classes is so plausible, and that the 18th-century mindset is so convincingly portrayed. Can't wait to read the sequel.
February 10, 2016
I like how this book has very interesting words that keep you wanting to read more. At the start of the book, it was very slow and nothing was happening and there were also no descriptions about the characters. It finally started to get interesting when it was in the middle and to the end, there was a lot of drama and you finally got to know a little bit about the characters, but not what they looked like. I rated this book 3 stars because 1. Mystery is not my favourite genre and 2. I did not really enjoy the action and drama part because it was not that intense as a thought it would be. I think that the cover of this book was the thing that got me interested and the details on the back sounded pretty good too, but I sounded like they were only describing the good parts that happen. I would rate this book age 11-13 because it has some difficult words in it. I don't think I would read this book again.
January 14, 2011
Oh, my! This book (& series) is amazing! I'm obsessed.
When Catherine Royal (Cat) was a baby, she was left on the steps of the Royal Theatre in London. The theatre people adopted her, giving her a roof over her head and letting them be part of their lives. But Cat also has a tendency to attract trouble. When she overhears the theatre owner talking about the diamond he's hidden in the theatre, he enlists her help to keep his secret hidden. She doesn't know where the diamond is or what it looks like, but she sees everything that happens around her home and she does her best to keep people from snooping. But as word leaks out about the treasure, thieves become more bold and Cat's life may become shorter than she expected.
When Catherine Royal (Cat) was a baby, she was left on the steps of the Royal Theatre in London. The theatre people adopted her, giving her a roof over her head and letting them be part of their lives. But Cat also has a tendency to attract trouble. When she overhears the theatre owner talking about the diamond he's hidden in the theatre, he enlists her help to keep his secret hidden. She doesn't know where the diamond is or what it looks like, but she sees everything that happens around her home and she does her best to keep people from snooping. But as word leaks out about the treasure, thieves become more bold and Cat's life may become shorter than she expected.
August 10, 2011
1st Book in the series
5 stars
I enjoyed this book, it's dynamic , fun, entertaining and well written. I wish it had a much more bigger marketing campaign, it could have been almost famous like Harry Potter or Series of Unfortunate Events.
I love Cat, she is clever, cunning and most of the time she manages to get herself into trouble but makes a great escape every time. Pedro is a likable character, Syd too, I have an affinity for Billy :) the rest of her friends are great to interact with, as Cat does in the book.
It made me want to read more, I have the second book and already am 2/3 done. :)
5 stars
I enjoyed this book, it's dynamic , fun, entertaining and well written. I wish it had a much more bigger marketing campaign, it could have been almost famous like Harry Potter or Series of Unfortunate Events.
I love Cat, she is clever, cunning and most of the time she manages to get herself into trouble but makes a great escape every time. Pedro is a likable character, Syd too, I have an affinity for Billy :) the rest of her friends are great to interact with, as Cat does in the book.
It made me want to read more, I have the second book and already am 2/3 done. :)
May 23, 2012
This series has sky-rocketed itself to the top of my must-buy list! I started and finished it in one day. Golding is a superb author! I love all of her characters! Besides Brian Jacques she's the only modern author who makes me cry because I want so badly to be friends with her characters. And props to Cat for her smarts, she figures things out faster than heroines usually do! And she isn't annoyingingly fiesty and quarrelsome either, she knows when to stop and let it go. Add to that a more creative mystery and delicious boys and this series is tops! I am now scrounging up money to buy this wonderful series!
March 1, 2009
I read this last year, and I liked it alot- set in old England- Kat is an orphan taken in by the theatre on Drury Lane. She is feisty and appealing to all, including a nemesis- an unpleasant gang leader who is sweet on her. She unfortunately spurns him in a public and humiliating way, not understanding the ways of the heart and how vulnerable this boy is to her. She kicks off a chain of events that entangle lords, ladies, urchins and judges who are trying to find the Diamond of Drury Lane. An altogether likable farce set in a Dickensonian neighborhood.
May 31, 2012
Julia Golding is pure genius. I love this series-couldn't put it down and read every single book consecutively over a couple of days! I can't believe my brother got to meet her and he didn't even know who she was! I think it would be incredible to meet her <3
July 11, 2012
I'm not one for writing reviews, but here's in simple terms of what I thought.
I loved it. Intriguing. A little young. I think they could have used less characters and then develop those characters a little better.
November 7, 2014
This lovely little book has the right balance of adventure, age appropriate realistic themes, and straight up fun to keep its readers pleased. I'm looking forward to seeing what the rest of the series has to offer.
November 14, 2009
For some reason, I find it condescending when an author puts "dear reader" at least once in every chapter. Aside from that HUGE annoyance, it was okay.
March 1, 2020
I got this book in a bookbox and I did not know what to think of it when I unpacked it. I picked it up anyway, when I wanted something light to read, and it turned out to be surprisingly fun, an adventure story set in a theatre and in historical London, both settings I can really appreciate. The story was fun too, just like the characters, so I really enjoyed it. I might pick up some of the other parts of the series too now...
November 12, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was crammed with adventures and action and I found it AMAZING!!!
April 26, 2020
I liked it Jenna.
Read
May 15, 2020i have a feeling i've read more julia golding books than this (thanks library) but can't for the life of me remember any of the plot details
Read
December 2, 2021A fun time but not a keeper for me.
September 14, 2025
Probably fantastic if you are 9 🙂
October 18, 2022
A fun adventure with good characters ✨
April 7, 2011
The Diamond of Drury Lane by Julia Golding
Roaring Book Press, 2006
419 pages
YA; Historical
4/5 stars
Source: Library
Read for YA Book Battle and also because the sequels looked really intriguing.
Cat Royal is an orphan living in the Theater Royal in 1790 London. She has been unofficially adopted by the theater folk and has lived there as long as she can remember. Living among the actors, writers, and designers as well as the gangs that control the seedier sections of town is a not too bad existence. Then one night she hears about a diamond hidden in the theater, which sends her off on vivid imaginings and kick-starts this story.
The next day she meets a new friend, Pedro Hawkins, a former slave (not sure how as slavery wasn't abolished in the UK until 1833) with a remarkable agility and incredible talent with the violin. His skill attracts the interest of Lord Francis and Lady Elizabeth and a mystery around the treasonous cartoons of "Captain Sparkler" springs up.
Cat is a great heroine. She's a colorful heroine with the plentiful sprinkling of the slang of the times and she speaks her mind. In general, she's up for any adventure and she's very loyal. Cat also begins writing, something I bet becomes more prominent in later books as she ages.
Besides being a fun adventure, this book also treats themes of gender, race, and class. Cat would love to be part of her friend Syd's gang but he will only let boys join, even if he's only known them for a few hours. She protests the unfairness of this and hopes that Syd doesn't harbor deeper feelings for her. Pedro is easily accepted but some of the meaner characters do mock him based on the color of his skin and claim their own superiority over him because of that. Class is another element; lords have the final say while penniless orphans can only hope for some protection.
My main quibble is that it was a little long and the mystery is a bit simplistic (my rationale is that I figured it out and I hardly ever do that). There's a lot of promise for future books.
Overall: Great historical mystery with an engaging main character-definitely excited about the sequels.
Roaring Book Press, 2006
419 pages
YA; Historical
4/5 stars
Source: Library
Read for YA Book Battle and also because the sequels looked really intriguing.
Cat Royal is an orphan living in the Theater Royal in 1790 London. She has been unofficially adopted by the theater folk and has lived there as long as she can remember. Living among the actors, writers, and designers as well as the gangs that control the seedier sections of town is a not too bad existence. Then one night she hears about a diamond hidden in the theater, which sends her off on vivid imaginings and kick-starts this story.
The next day she meets a new friend, Pedro Hawkins, a former slave (not sure how as slavery wasn't abolished in the UK until 1833) with a remarkable agility and incredible talent with the violin. His skill attracts the interest of Lord Francis and Lady Elizabeth and a mystery around the treasonous cartoons of "Captain Sparkler" springs up.
Cat is a great heroine. She's a colorful heroine with the plentiful sprinkling of the slang of the times and she speaks her mind. In general, she's up for any adventure and she's very loyal. Cat also begins writing, something I bet becomes more prominent in later books as she ages.
Besides being a fun adventure, this book also treats themes of gender, race, and class. Cat would love to be part of her friend Syd's gang but he will only let boys join, even if he's only known them for a few hours. She protests the unfairness of this and hopes that Syd doesn't harbor deeper feelings for her. Pedro is easily accepted but some of the meaner characters do mock him based on the color of his skin and claim their own superiority over him because of that. Class is another element; lords have the final say while penniless orphans can only hope for some protection.
My main quibble is that it was a little long and the mystery is a bit simplistic (my rationale is that I figured it out and I hardly ever do that). There's a lot of promise for future books.
Overall: Great historical mystery with an engaging main character-definitely excited about the sequels.
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