All is not well in the world of The Calendar House. There’s a rogue sweep on the loose, and they’re not just stealing trinkets from the houses they enter, they’re stealing the chimneys, too! To add insult to injury, little Joe Raman from the corner shop on Dotty’s beloved Wyvern Road has gone missing and nobody knows why.
It appears Dotty has a lot to contend with. The Council of Sweeps are looking for answers but it seems there aren’t any to be found. Has Joe been abducted by thieves, or is there another reason for his disappearance? And can she stop the Chimney Thief, before all the portals into the world of the ordinary folk have been sealed - forever.
What readers have to say about DOTTY and the Chimney Thief:
“I read [the first chapter] to the children tonight and they were instantly back to being as gripped as they were by the first book. They both laughed out loud at the wonderful descriptions of Gobby in the kitchen covered in flour (again) and the way she asked Kenny to remove Geoff! They cannot wait to find out what happens next.”
Emma Warner-Reed is a qualified lawyer, academic, legal and journalist, and the #1 bestselling author of the multi-award-winning middle grade children’s fantasy DOTTY Series.
Since the release of the first series book, DOTTY and the Calendar House Key, in 2015, The DOTTY Series has received significant acclaim. To date, accolades include both Gold and Silver awards from Literary Classics, together with their official seal of approval for all three books, honorable mentions at the Los Angeles, New York, Amsterdam, and Paris Book Festival Awards, and three coveted five-star Reader's Favorites reviews (so it's quite good :o))
Emma lives in a rural setting on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales with her husband, four small children and a plethora of animals, some of whom are more domesticated than others!
Please feel free to contact Emma for interviews, quotes, or comments about her writing via any of the methods listed on the contact page on her website. For regular news, reviews, and updates on The DOTTY Series, subscribe to the DOTTY mailing list at www.thedottyseries.com.
Look out for the fifth and final series book, DOTTY and the Heaven’s Light, due out this year!
Whilst in Skype chat with her best friend, Sylvia, Dotty Parsons is aggrieved to discover that one of her best friends, Joe, has disappeared. In trying to consult with her Great Uncle Winchester (Winny) and Pip – two people who know the Sweep network better than most – Dotty is constantly watched and followed and scrutinized by Winny’s sleazy assistant, Strake, who seems to try and roadblock every move she makes. After it is discovered that the evil Vagabond King is behind Joe’s kidnapping, Dotty realizes that the only person who can lead Dotty to Joe’s whereabouts is an imprisoned chimney thief, Skitter, and he’s not talking until his sister, Sarah, is by his side. Desperate to save her friend, Dotty embarks on a dangerous, yet exciting adventure, with one aim in mind: Find Sarah and convince her to visit Skitter so that he will disclose the Vagabond King’s location. It might all seem simple, but time is not on Dotty's side, as the Sweep’s Council are about to hand down their decision on Skitter’s fate for his crimes.
Emma Warner-Reed’s adventurous tale of young Dotty Parsons is extremely well written, but with so much information to take in, I believe that it is imperative for readers to read the first book in the series, titled ‘Dotty and the Calendar House Key,’ in order to fully appreciate the story behind all of the characters in the book. Dotty and the Chimney Thief is a story of bravery and strength, with Dotty having to overcome all of her fears and any obstacles which come in the way so that she can save her friend, Joe. With the forces of good working with her, one can easily mistake Dotty’s task as simple. The evil inside the Calendar House, in the form of Strake, however, as well as that within the chimney sweep network, create obstacles which, at times, seem insurmountable. I enjoyed the strong message of love and friendship, as Dotty does what she can to bring her friend safely home, and recommend Dotty and the Chimney Thief to readers who love action, humor, dedication and fun in this suspenseful and dramatic adventure.
What a thoroughly enjoyable read this series is turning out to be. The Calendar House world is definitely a place worth visiting and revisiting. Dotty the perfect protagonist with more than two dimensions to her character is sassy, brave and very curious. Just the sort of traits the best of adventurers require to step out into the unknown. There are a lot of children’s books out there but very few can entertain all ages. Parents reading “just one more chapter” to their sleepy children will particularly enjoy reciting this as a bedtime story. As for their children… They will wallow in the luxurious imagery created by Emma Warner-Reed. 5 stars. (I was given a preview copy in exchange for a honest review.)
I started reading this with my 9 year old and could not put it down! Absolutely loved it! The second book carries on well from Dotty and the Calendar House key whilst introducing us to some nice and not-so-nice characters. I can't wait till the next book.
The Dotty series are a must read .....for everyone!! The kids absolutely loved the book, and i also thoroughly enjoyed it. It brought back memories of Nancy Drew and of Mary Poppins. What a fantastic blend. I look forward to reading more of this series.
This is the third Dotty book (if you include the Lucky Day book), and was quite different from the first one. I think it took the story in a bit more grown up direction, suitable for older children - while I got the books to read with my nieces, I certainly won't be reading it to my younger niece, as I think it'll be a bit too scary in places for her. It's excellently written and I loved the new characters - good, bad and somewhere in between - who really expanded the universe of the Dotty books, and will be interested to see where this continues to grow in future books. I also liked the hints about who Uncle Winnie might be, and can't wait until the next book to see if we find out more! I got the Dotty books to read with my nieces, but read them first (to make sure they were suitable) and enjoyed them myself too - proof you don't have to be a child to enjoy them! As I wrote above, I wouldn't recommend this book for younger children as it could be a but scary, but it's great escapism and fantasy, well-written with characters that bring the action to life like a movie in my mind. I'd definitely recommend them, and will be reading the rest of the series too - by myself and with my nieces! NB I received a complimentary copy of this book, but I always give an HONEST review based wholly on my own opinions
Dotty possesses a magical locket which allows her to travel via chimney. But something mysterious is causing chimneys in the area to disappear. So, when Dotty’s friend Joe disappears she is gravely concerned for his safety. She and her friends must rely on intellect and imagination to rescue Joe and stop the chimneys from disappearing entirely.
Author Emma Warner-Reed continues to delight readers with this, the second book in her Dotty Series. Dotty and the Chimney Thief is a charming tale which is destined to become a childhood favorite. Each chapter is the perfect length for a nightly reading. This fantasy adventure, replete with a lively cast of characters, is sure to enchant readers of all ages.
The Dotty series is both magical and inspiring. The second part takes you into the chimneys. Holly finds a locket and travels with it through the chimneys. This book is even better than the first one. I found it to be more consistant and better developed. Every page is exciting to read and it takes you into a different world. I can't wait to see what the next book has in store for me. GREAT SERIES!
Well I thought this was book one but it was book 2. No matter Dotty, Pip, Joe and Svlv and flying around the chimneys to each others house until Joe disappears. This book takes us into the underground of the sweeps. Who is the vagabond King and what does he want. What about Winnie and is there a spy in the house. What does Dotty lose and what is a guardian—well get reading the next book and find out. I highly recommend this book for kids and even adults.
An excellent follow-up to Dotty and the Calendar House. I found the story a little predictable in places, but then I'm an adult and this is meant as a children's book. It did hold my interest and is very well-written (aside from a few small typos). I love the characters and I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.
I enjoyed this better than the first book. The story was tighter, and we jumped into the action right away. Also, far fewer typos and formatting issues than the first book had. This series definitely needs to be read in order, though - there was almost no re-introduction to characters or situations. Fun read!
Fun little book. Think kids might like this. Grades 4-6. Dotty, Great Uncle, Pip. Parents die in a crash, then is sent to live with her Great Uncle who is wealthy. Has a pet dog. Strake: Great Uncles mean assistant.
Even better than the first🤯 clever, exciting, and full of surprises! Dotty’s world just keeps getting better! This book was full of twists, clever clues, and magical moments. I loved watching Dotty grow more confident as she faces new challenges. A brilliant second adventure with heart and humor.
It moves along quickly but is easy to follow. It stands well on its own. The target audience and older readers will find it an engaging way to pass some time.