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Taylor & Rose, Secret Agents #3
Villains in Venice
Get set for another incredible adventure with secret agents extraordinaire, Miss Sophie Taylor and Miss Lillian Rose!
After the dramatic events of their mission to St Petersburg, Sophie and Lil know the truth - there's a double-agent at work at the Secret Service Bureau. Whilst Lil pursues a dangerous line of enquiry in London, Sophie must set out on a new mission to Venice, following a twisted trail to discover long-buried secrets. But there are villains lurking amongst the city's piazzas, canals and crumbling palaces, and in the shadows an old enemy lies in wait...
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 6, 2020
20 people are currently reading
478 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Woodfine
33 books506 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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March 28, 2025
4 stars ⭐️ Clean Fiction - Middle Grade Historical Mystery
…that ending. WHAT?! The last book’s ending was brutal but this?? This is just torturous! 😭🥲 It’s been three months since the end of the prior book and there hasn’t been much headway on finding out what happened to a member of the group. I’m being vague for the sake of spoilers but please know I’m tempted to scream into my pillow after this third book’s ending. I guess I’ll be reading the fourth book ASAP now because that was not jolly well done of the author to keep me in suspense like that!
Besides my current angst and moans about the ending, I don’t have too much to say about this book. The Venice scenes were fine enough and I’m glad that Sophie is still determined to stop the dragon group, but I wanted to know about a certain character and I’m pretty sure I sped read this book while having the audiobook in my ear because I needed answers pronto. More friends are made and others come back into the picture to help our young detectives, so that’s always a fun element of this series. I think I’ve said all I can—off to read the fourth book!
As a technical note: A couple sentences were randomly missing in the audiobook, which was odd and when I grabbed my physical copy, I noticed a question that had been answered was missing (pg. 110). Nothing major, but it stood out to be because the answer was random in the prior conversation without the question that led into it.
🚨 Spoilers for the prior books throughout this content section:
Main Content-
Mentions of churches (for tourists & hearing the church bells); Mentions of patron saints of Venice & and couple old families following certain ones (such as St Theodore and St Mark); Mentions of an all-seeing eye (particularly used by the dragon group and is on a book); Mentions of luck & being lucky; A few mentions of ghosts (such as a rumor about a deceased family being restless ghosts and had their graves elsewhere because they will not lie quiet in their graves & how Sophie doesn’t believe in ghosts, but if she did, they would be found in a certain place); A couple mentions of a grave having a crucifix and old statues that could have been angels or gargoyles; A mention of illustrations of gods and goddess in a book; A mention of Chinese monks; A mention of Carruthers chanting something to himself like a spell when he is trying to memorize it.
Shooting someone in defense of another (and the shock of doing it; the person is not killed), Being held at gunpoint, Being chased/followed, & Thinking this is the end (and thus having nothing to lose by fighting back when cornered) (up to a few sentences each); *Spoilers* ; Sophie realizes that if she was caught by the villain group, they would probably use unpleasant methods to interrogate her.
*Spoiler, but shooting someone* .
*Spoilers* *Major Spoilers* .
With their work as spies and being undercover, Lil and Sophie and the others lie (including while undercover or working on a case about their identities) and eavesdrop; Sophie is given a gun for protection, carries it around, and does shoot it to cause a distraction to get away.
The Order of the Dragons continue to stir up chaos and want a war to start so they can become rich by making and selling weapons—including a very powerful one; Sophie and the others are trying to find that powerful weapon that the villain group is after and get to it first; Sophie promised someone that she would see the powerful weapon destroyed *Spoiler* *Major Spoilers* .
Sophie has a moment of grief for wondering what her life could have been if she had the chance to study something she loved like Jack and Leo are doing with with art.
Some gender comments about girls and having untraditional roles (such as overhearing a brother tell his little sister that a book about murder and spies and crime isn’t “suitable” for girls (she buys the book anyway), a few mentions of male secret agents not liking to work with female agents and making “contemptuous remarks” about young lady detectives, an old woman frowning at Leo (a girl) wearing a gentleman’s shirt, & a mention of people looking down on working girls and Sophie being used to that).
A report says in a newspaper of Taylor & Rose has an “exotic band of helpers” and Mei is disgusted by that comment (which Lil says it is “rot”).
No major language is said; Other words like ‘gosh’, ‘golly’, ‘idiot’, ‘dumb’, and ‘stupid’ are said up to eight times each; The British exclamations ‘juggins, ‘bother you/bother’, and ‘that rot’ are said up to four times each; Religious exclamations like ‘good heavens’, ‘thank heavens’, ‘a devil of a headache’, are said once each; A bit of sarcasm & eye rolling (mostly between siblings); An Italian young man exclaims “Santo cielo” twice (“my goodness” according to Google) and “Dio mio” once (“my goodness” or “My God” depending on who you asked on Google).
Many mentions of a looming war, spies and double agents, a powerful weapon that could cause massive damage, violence, & group wanting to profit off of a war that will harm many people and stir up fear about a possible war coming; Mentions of deaths, possible deaths, and grief (including Sophie’s parents); Mentions of a murder by poison & poisons (up to a few sentences on the details but the body is not seen); Mentions of gunshots, blood/bleeding, injuries, pain, & murder and possible murder (induce a couple mentions of bodies being found in a river); Mentions of possible drownings; Mentions of prior events (such as attempted kidnapping attempts, kidnappings, assassination attempts, murders, finding a body in the river, thefts, stolen items, revolutionary attacks in Russia, and someone being pushed in front of an oncoming train); Mentions of graves & someone not wanting to go near them because of the dead bodies (but it doesn’t bother Sophie because old bones and skeletons were not really something to fear in her opinion); Mentions of crimes & a crime lord’s gang; Mentions of someone being locked in a room & another being hit and injured; Mentions of alcohol/wine & adults drinking at a party (also a comment from an adult expecting the young adults to have headaches after a party due to “a late night…and too much excitement”); Mentions of cigarettes, cigars, pipes, & smoking; Mentions of gossip & rumors; A couple mentions of corrupt police officers; A mention of Leo not getting along well with her father; A mention of someone reading a book by E.M. Forster.
Sophie thinks that Jack wants to be a little more than friends with how he has invited her out with him, paid her compliments, and sketched portraits of her; Sophie thinks Jack is fun, but that she doesn’t have time for romance; Sophie notices that Jack enjoys being a knight in shining armor for a damsel in distress; *Spoilers* .
Sophie noticed prior that Lil and Joe’s friendship might be changing into something deeper; Lil recalls Joe shyly inviting her to go walking with him, him bringing her flowers in his best suit, and her thinking that he was going to kiss her goodbye in the prior book.
A few mentions of blushes; A couple mentions of handsome young men and pretty young ladies (and it being noticed by the opposite gender).
…that ending. WHAT?! The last book’s ending was brutal but this?? This is just torturous! 😭🥲 It’s been three months since the end of the prior book and there hasn’t been much headway on finding out what happened to a member of the group. I’m being vague for the sake of spoilers but please know I’m tempted to scream into my pillow after this third book’s ending. I guess I’ll be reading the fourth book ASAP now because that was not jolly well done of the author to keep me in suspense like that!
Besides my current angst and moans about the ending, I don’t have too much to say about this book. The Venice scenes were fine enough and I’m glad that Sophie is still determined to stop the dragon group, but I wanted to know about a certain character and I’m pretty sure I sped read this book while having the audiobook in my ear because I needed answers pronto. More friends are made and others come back into the picture to help our young detectives, so that’s always a fun element of this series. I think I’ve said all I can—off to read the fourth book!
As a technical note: A couple sentences were randomly missing in the audiobook, which was odd and when I grabbed my physical copy, I noticed a question that had been answered was missing (pg. 110). Nothing major, but it stood out to be because the answer was random in the prior conversation without the question that led into it.
🚨 Spoilers for the prior books throughout this content section:
Main Content-
Mentions of churches (for tourists & hearing the church bells); Mentions of patron saints of Venice & and couple old families following certain ones (such as St Theodore and St Mark); Mentions of an all-seeing eye (particularly used by the dragon group and is on a book); Mentions of luck & being lucky; A few mentions of ghosts (such as a rumor about a deceased family being restless ghosts and had their graves elsewhere because they will not lie quiet in their graves & how Sophie doesn’t believe in ghosts, but if she did, they would be found in a certain place); A couple mentions of a grave having a crucifix and old statues that could have been angels or gargoyles; A mention of illustrations of gods and goddess in a book; A mention of Chinese monks; A mention of Carruthers chanting something to himself like a spell when he is trying to memorize it.
Shooting someone in defense of another (and the shock of doing it; the person is not killed), Being held at gunpoint, Being chased/followed, & Thinking this is the end (and thus having nothing to lose by fighting back when cornered) (up to a few sentences each); *Spoilers* ; Sophie realizes that if she was caught by the villain group, they would probably use unpleasant methods to interrogate her.
*Spoiler, but shooting someone* .
*Spoilers* *Major Spoilers* .
With their work as spies and being undercover, Lil and Sophie and the others lie (including while undercover or working on a case about their identities) and eavesdrop; Sophie is given a gun for protection, carries it around, and does shoot it to cause a distraction to get away.
The Order of the Dragons continue to stir up chaos and want a war to start so they can become rich by making and selling weapons—including a very powerful one; Sophie and the others are trying to find that powerful weapon that the villain group is after and get to it first; Sophie promised someone that she would see the powerful weapon destroyed *Spoiler* *Major Spoilers* .
Sophie has a moment of grief for wondering what her life could have been if she had the chance to study something she loved like Jack and Leo are doing with with art.
Some gender comments about girls and having untraditional roles (such as overhearing a brother tell his little sister that a book about murder and spies and crime isn’t “suitable” for girls (she buys the book anyway), a few mentions of male secret agents not liking to work with female agents and making “contemptuous remarks” about young lady detectives, an old woman frowning at Leo (a girl) wearing a gentleman’s shirt, & a mention of people looking down on working girls and Sophie being used to that).
A report says in a newspaper of Taylor & Rose has an “exotic band of helpers” and Mei is disgusted by that comment (which Lil says it is “rot”).
No major language is said; Other words like ‘gosh’, ‘golly’, ‘idiot’, ‘dumb’, and ‘stupid’ are said up to eight times each; The British exclamations ‘juggins, ‘bother you/bother’, and ‘that rot’ are said up to four times each; Religious exclamations like ‘good heavens’, ‘thank heavens’, ‘a devil of a headache’, are said once each; A bit of sarcasm & eye rolling (mostly between siblings); An Italian young man exclaims “Santo cielo” twice (“my goodness” according to Google) and “Dio mio” once (“my goodness” or “My God” depending on who you asked on Google).
Many mentions of a looming war, spies and double agents, a powerful weapon that could cause massive damage, violence, & group wanting to profit off of a war that will harm many people and stir up fear about a possible war coming; Mentions of deaths, possible deaths, and grief (including Sophie’s parents); Mentions of a murder by poison & poisons (up to a few sentences on the details but the body is not seen); Mentions of gunshots, blood/bleeding, injuries, pain, & murder and possible murder (induce a couple mentions of bodies being found in a river); Mentions of possible drownings; Mentions of prior events (such as attempted kidnapping attempts, kidnappings, assassination attempts, murders, finding a body in the river, thefts, stolen items, revolutionary attacks in Russia, and someone being pushed in front of an oncoming train); Mentions of graves & someone not wanting to go near them because of the dead bodies (but it doesn’t bother Sophie because old bones and skeletons were not really something to fear in her opinion); Mentions of crimes & a crime lord’s gang; Mentions of someone being locked in a room & another being hit and injured; Mentions of alcohol/wine & adults drinking at a party (also a comment from an adult expecting the young adults to have headaches after a party due to “a late night…and too much excitement”); Mentions of cigarettes, cigars, pipes, & smoking; Mentions of gossip & rumors; A couple mentions of corrupt police officers; A mention of Leo not getting along well with her father; A mention of someone reading a book by E.M. Forster.
Sophie thinks that Jack wants to be a little more than friends with how he has invited her out with him, paid her compliments, and sketched portraits of her; Sophie thinks Jack is fun, but that she doesn’t have time for romance; Sophie notices that Jack enjoys being a knight in shining armor for a damsel in distress; *Spoilers* .
Sophie noticed prior that Lil and Joe’s friendship might be changing into something deeper; Lil recalls Joe shyly inviting her to go walking with him, him bringing her flowers in his best suit, and her thinking that he was going to kiss her goodbye in the prior book.
A few mentions of blushes; A couple mentions of handsome young men and pretty young ladies (and it being noticed by the opposite gender).
July 21, 2025
It was over, and so she had nothing left to lose.
Update 1: 13/7/2021
Book 3 is set in... Venice! Is there some kind of God at work that lets Katherine Woodfine know which cities are my favourites? And Venice is the best of all. I'm always very excited - of course - but often also a bit anxious whenever a book has Venice as its setting, because you never know: The author might make a complete mess of it. By now, I was already well past the point where I was wondering if Woodfine's next book would be just as good as her last one, so there was no anxiety this time. And there was no need for that either. The descriptions of Venice are an absolute marvel. The author visits the city at every time of day, always adding more intricate and interesting details. The book takes place in February, which is, unsurprisingly, exactly the right month for the yearly Carnevale to take place, although it was still rather different in 1912 from what we're used to now. Whatever. Every little thing that has to do with the city is just as miraculous as possible, and since I know a lot about Venice, I also recognised many names - which makes it all the more fantastic. This is one very talented writer.
Over time, Woodfine has slowly upped the stakes and added some darker, more serious tones to her books. That becomes very clear in Villains in Venice. What happened in Spies in St. Petersburg has obviously left its scars, and some of the characters are in a darker place than usual. I was at first worried it would all be a bit too much, but thankfully the author never adds really negative scenes. Instead, she succeeds in balancing right at the edge.
As the book continues, tensions start rising. It already starts very soon, in fact. Up to now, I've always had a feeling that the part leading up to the climax is a slow one. Many things happen of course, but the things that make you sit on the edge of your seat always take their time. Not here, though; by the time you reach page 100, especially Sophie is already in the thick of it. And from then on, the story never slows down once. Everything just keeps building up. The entire book is one big blast of detective and spy stuff. Something that especially struck me was the fact that you really don't know anymore who to trust, both concerning the double agent and on the whole. As for the double agent, I had my suspicions, even though I wasn't even sure if we'd find out who they were in this book. In the end, it could have been anyone, it could have everyone. It could have been one person or several. I'm not going to say who it was, obviously, but I can tell you that Woodfine integrates this idea of mistrust very well in the book.
Together with those rising tensions is the fact that the characters and the plot are getting more grown up, somehow. At the end, Lil does something that - as both she and Sophie are very aware of - she would never have done at the start of The Sinclair's Mysteries. They've both grown up a lot, and the cases they're dealing with and the adventures they're having are also next level. I feel like especially Sophie is given much time in this book, while Lil disappears a bit to the background. Don't worry, she's still around and she is important, but Sophie really steals the show, together with her other accomplices. That's something else that I really like about these books: Other characters also have a change to make their return to the pages and start growing.
As the world of the books has grown - there are seven now - the author has also found ways to add small details referencing past adventures and such in it. There are of course the usual 'Previously on...' parts (which are less interesting), but then there are also the more inconspicuous bits which you'll probably only notice if you really know the books very well, or if you've just re-read them all. So those little fragments - it's often just one tiny sentence - also add to the book's appeal. And it's a bit meta too, with stories about stories, and stories about their old adventures - that adds another layer.
By the way, I noticed the name Bradshaw. Is that, by any chance, a reference to Bradshaw's Railway Guide, a much-used - you guessed it - railway guide in those days? You may have heard of it if you're watching Michael Portillo on TV. You know, the one with the crazy-coloured shirts. Anyway, I don't know if it's on purpose or not, but it adds yet another layer to the story for me.
Update 1: After reading this for the first time, I noticed that Roberta Russell's part in Book 2 was never returned to, although it's clearly of importance for all events. She is present in Book 3, which I liked, but at first sight it doesn't look as if her character actually contributes a lot to the story in an overall way.
There are also several questions answered here, although - what did you expect? - some others come up and some still need to be answered. There will be one other book in the Taylor & Rose Secret Agents series - and that will be the end of Sophie and Lil's adventures, although honestly I'm hoping for another ten or so quadrilogies. The author always puts in some kind of clue(s) concerning the next book, and I was correct in thinking that Book 4 would be set in New York... So Sophie and Lil are taking a ship there - does that mean they'll be on the White Star Line's Titanic, or Woodfine alternative version of it? Your guess is as good as mine, but I'm excited as hell, to say the least! And this book was, just like the other ones, one big fantastic adventure.
10+/10
Update 1: 13/7/2021
Book 3 is set in... Venice! Is there some kind of God at work that lets Katherine Woodfine know which cities are my favourites? And Venice is the best of all. I'm always very excited - of course - but often also a bit anxious whenever a book has Venice as its setting, because you never know: The author might make a complete mess of it. By now, I was already well past the point where I was wondering if Woodfine's next book would be just as good as her last one, so there was no anxiety this time. And there was no need for that either. The descriptions of Venice are an absolute marvel. The author visits the city at every time of day, always adding more intricate and interesting details. The book takes place in February, which is, unsurprisingly, exactly the right month for the yearly Carnevale to take place, although it was still rather different in 1912 from what we're used to now. Whatever. Every little thing that has to do with the city is just as miraculous as possible, and since I know a lot about Venice, I also recognised many names - which makes it all the more fantastic. This is one very talented writer.
Over time, Woodfine has slowly upped the stakes and added some darker, more serious tones to her books. That becomes very clear in Villains in Venice. What happened in Spies in St. Petersburg has obviously left its scars, and some of the characters are in a darker place than usual. I was at first worried it would all be a bit too much, but thankfully the author never adds really negative scenes. Instead, she succeeds in balancing right at the edge.
As the book continues, tensions start rising. It already starts very soon, in fact. Up to now, I've always had a feeling that the part leading up to the climax is a slow one. Many things happen of course, but the things that make you sit on the edge of your seat always take their time. Not here, though; by the time you reach page 100, especially Sophie is already in the thick of it. And from then on, the story never slows down once. Everything just keeps building up. The entire book is one big blast of detective and spy stuff. Something that especially struck me was the fact that you really don't know anymore who to trust, both concerning the double agent and on the whole. As for the double agent, I had my suspicions, even though I wasn't even sure if we'd find out who they were in this book. In the end, it could have been anyone, it could have everyone. It could have been one person or several. I'm not going to say who it was, obviously, but I can tell you that Woodfine integrates this idea of mistrust very well in the book.
Together with those rising tensions is the fact that the characters and the plot are getting more grown up, somehow. At the end, Lil does something that - as both she and Sophie are very aware of - she would never have done at the start of The Sinclair's Mysteries. They've both grown up a lot, and the cases they're dealing with and the adventures they're having are also next level. I feel like especially Sophie is given much time in this book, while Lil disappears a bit to the background. Don't worry, she's still around and she is important, but Sophie really steals the show, together with her other accomplices. That's something else that I really like about these books: Other characters also have a change to make their return to the pages and start growing.
As the world of the books has grown - there are seven now - the author has also found ways to add small details referencing past adventures and such in it. There are of course the usual 'Previously on...' parts (which are less interesting), but then there are also the more inconspicuous bits which you'll probably only notice if you really know the books very well, or if you've just re-read them all. So those little fragments - it's often just one tiny sentence - also add to the book's appeal. And it's a bit meta too, with stories about stories, and stories about their old adventures - that adds another layer.
By the way, I noticed the name Bradshaw. Is that, by any chance, a reference to Bradshaw's Railway Guide, a much-used - you guessed it - railway guide in those days? You may have heard of it if you're watching Michael Portillo on TV. You know, the one with the crazy-coloured shirts. Anyway, I don't know if it's on purpose or not, but it adds yet another layer to the story for me.
Update 1: After reading this for the first time, I noticed that Roberta Russell's part in Book 2 was never returned to, although it's clearly of importance for all events. She is present in Book 3, which I liked, but at first sight it doesn't look as if her character actually contributes a lot to the story in an overall way.
There are also several questions answered here, although - what did you expect? - some others come up and some still need to be answered. There will be one other book in the Taylor & Rose Secret Agents series - and that will be the end of Sophie and Lil's adventures, although honestly I'm hoping for another ten or so quadrilogies. The author always puts in some kind of clue(s) concerning the next book, and I was correct in thinking that Book 4 would be set in New York... So Sophie and Lil are taking a ship there - does that mean they'll be on the White Star Line's Titanic, or Woodfine alternative version of it? Your guess is as good as mine, but I'm excited as hell, to say the least! And this book was, just like the other ones, one big fantastic adventure.
10+/10
April 9, 2021
Get set for another incredible adventure with secret agents extraordinaire, Miss Sophie Taylor and Miss Lillian Rose!
After the dramatic events of their mission to St Petersburg, Sophie and Lil know the truth - their is a double agent at work at the Secret Servaice Bureau. Whilst Lil pursues a dangerous line of enquiry in London, Sophie must set out on a new mission to Venice, following a twisted trail to discover long-buried secrets. But there are villains lurking amongst the city's piazzas, canals and crumbling palaces, and in the shadows an old enemy lies in wait..!
I recommend this book 📖 because I love spies and secret agents, if you do too then this is the best book on that sort of thing you can find. Even if that is not you, I think you should still give this novel a try!!!
After the dramatic events of their mission to St Petersburg, Sophie and Lil know the truth - their is a double agent at work at the Secret Servaice Bureau. Whilst Lil pursues a dangerous line of enquiry in London, Sophie must set out on a new mission to Venice, following a twisted trail to discover long-buried secrets. But there are villains lurking amongst the city's piazzas, canals and crumbling palaces, and in the shadows an old enemy lies in wait..!
I recommend this book 📖 because I love spies and secret agents, if you do too then this is the best book on that sort of thing you can find. Even if that is not you, I think you should still give this novel a try!!!
January 24, 2023
Bawling my eyes out over a kids book? ✅ Ok well actually I definitely don’t think this is a “kids” books, how about YA? ;) Murders, kidnapping, spies, double agents, imminent war, best friends, girl power, and great story telling all wrapped up into one. I can’t believe we only have 1 book left in the series to read together. Katherine Woodfine… we need MORE Taylor and Rose please!?! :) Reading these out-loud to my 11 year old before bed every night is truly a gift I will cherish forever. Of course she’s already read them all herself over and over but it’s fun to share the moments of intense page turning with her and her anticipation of my reaction. Apparently I never disappoint. HA! Great reads! Start at Sinclairs Mysteries before you get to Taylor and Rose, they’re all page turners! YA to adult, these books don’t disappoint.
February 6, 2021
It was so nice to dive back into this world and reconnect with these characters. I had forgotten a lot of what had happened in the previous book, but the book does a good job in reminding you of everything. I liked both plot lines in the book and never felt bored. I really liked the hook at the end, and am very curious about the end of the series with the next book. I know I'll miss these characters when the series is over.
September 6, 2021
Things are getting very interesting for the team of Taylor and Rose. Look forward to the next book in the series
February 9, 2021
Waiting for the last one to come out now!
April 22, 2022
This series is so, so good!!! Honestly unputdownable.
April 18, 2024
i loveeeed it! Kathrine’s writing is so good and i love the way that she tied everything in from the sinclair’s mystery’s. the vibes were great and it was just a jolly good time!
December 15, 2021
Read- December 2021
- I cannot believe that after reading 7 books following these characters that one of them has finally got a 5 star rating from me. I honestly adored this installment and it's very worthy of a 5 star rating.
- I cannot believe that after reading 7 books following these characters that one of them has finally got a 5 star rating from me. I honestly adored this installment and it's very worthy of a 5 star rating.
August 8, 2020
My favourite one in the series, couldn't put it down and kept me on my seat till the very last sentence!
February 15, 2021
I struggled to get into this book .
March 9, 2021
(May include some spoilers)
The conflict between the Loyal Order of Lions and the Fraternitas Draconum is really heating up now, and Sophie has to embark on yet another covert mission for the Secret Service Bureau, this time to Venice. This time it’s even more covert, since there is a double agent in the Bureau! On the instructions of the Chief and Carruthers only, with the secret code committed to memory, she heads to Venice, but once again Lil is not with her. Lil’s mind is totally preoccupied with Joe, to the detriment of both the bureau and the Taylor and Rose Detective Agency. With the camp divided, will they be able to solve the mystery and get to the secret weapon before the Fraternitas?
I thought this book was considerably better than Spies in St. Petersburg, but it still irked me that Sophie and Lil were separated once again for the majority of the book. I understand Katherine probably wants to give her other characters air time, but with each book comes a new addition (this time Ella) and it feels like sometimes Sophie and Lil’s friendship falls by the wayside. Nevertheless, I absolutely adored the the mystery with its puzzle-solving and code-cracking. It very much had the same vibe as the National Treasure films!
The conflict between the Loyal Order of Lions and the Fraternitas Draconum is really heating up now, and Sophie has to embark on yet another covert mission for the Secret Service Bureau, this time to Venice. This time it’s even more covert, since there is a double agent in the Bureau! On the instructions of the Chief and Carruthers only, with the secret code committed to memory, she heads to Venice, but once again Lil is not with her. Lil’s mind is totally preoccupied with Joe, to the detriment of both the bureau and the Taylor and Rose Detective Agency. With the camp divided, will they be able to solve the mystery and get to the secret weapon before the Fraternitas?
I thought this book was considerably better than Spies in St. Petersburg, but it still irked me that Sophie and Lil were separated once again for the majority of the book. I understand Katherine probably wants to give her other characters air time, but with each book comes a new addition (this time Ella) and it feels like sometimes Sophie and Lil’s friendship falls by the wayside. Nevertheless, I absolutely adored the the mystery with its puzzle-solving and code-cracking. It very much had the same vibe as the National Treasure films!
November 29, 2021
Jestem zawiedziona, bo byłam przekonana, że będzie to ostatnia część cyklu a tymczasem sporo wątków nadal nie zostało domkniętych. Muszę zatem uzbroić się w cierpliwość i zaczekać na kolejną książkę tej autorki.
Teoretycznie Sophie Taylor i Lilian Rose nadal podążają tropem obrazów Benedetto Cassellego. Praktycznie robi to jedynie pierwsza z nich, ponieważ druga za sprawą wydarzeń z poprzedniej części pozostaje w Londynie i poszukuje zaginionego przyjaciela. Sophie wyrusza do Wenecji, aby odnaleźć ostatnią ukrytą wskazówkę. Czy jej się to uda? Jakie niebezpieczeństwa czyhają na nią tym razem?
Przyznaję, że znowu świetnie się bawiłam podczas lektury! Dziewczyny są bystre, zaradne i pomysłowe, przez co bardzo dobrze się o nich czyta. Jasne, dorosły czytelnik nie uwierzy w te cudowne zbiegi okoliczności i szczęście bohaterek, ale młodszy czytelnik powinien czerpać z tego wszystkiego ogromną radość. Mam nadzieję, że w Polsce będzie się mówiło trochę więcej o tych pozycjach, bo one są naprawdę genialną rozrywką dla młodzieży!
3,75
Teoretycznie Sophie Taylor i Lilian Rose nadal podążają tropem obrazów Benedetto Cassellego. Praktycznie robi to jedynie pierwsza z nich, ponieważ druga za sprawą wydarzeń z poprzedniej części pozostaje w Londynie i poszukuje zaginionego przyjaciela. Sophie wyrusza do Wenecji, aby odnaleźć ostatnią ukrytą wskazówkę. Czy jej się to uda? Jakie niebezpieczeństwa czyhają na nią tym razem?
Przyznaję, że znowu świetnie się bawiłam podczas lektury! Dziewczyny są bystre, zaradne i pomysłowe, przez co bardzo dobrze się o nich czyta. Jasne, dorosły czytelnik nie uwierzy w te cudowne zbiegi okoliczności i szczęście bohaterek, ale młodszy czytelnik powinien czerpać z tego wszystkiego ogromną radość. Mam nadzieję, że w Polsce będzie się mówiło trochę więcej o tych pozycjach, bo one są naprawdę genialną rozrywką dla młodzieży!
3,75
September 23, 2024
Reunited, best friends and fellow detectives Sophie and Lil are racing to uncover the double agent working at the Secret Service Bureau. Sophie sets off to Venice on the trail of the double agent AND the Fraternitas Draconum, a ruthlessly cruel organization responsible for the deaths of both of her parents. Will they find the double agent? And will the Fraternitas be stopped?
I read this series for a book club, and not just myself, but the entire club loved this series! It is so action-packed and filled with suspense!
This is a sequel series to The Sinclair's Mysteries, which I also LOVED! This is the 3rd book in the Taylor and Rose; Secret Agents series.
THE PLOT TWIST!!!! OMCUPACKES!
I loved that Jack and Leo came along for the adventure - I really enjoyed reading about them and their characters!
I love love love this series and I really hope that you do, too! Thank you for reading my review! Follow @bronteandwilder on Instagram for fun book recommendations!
I read this series for a book club, and not just myself, but the entire club loved this series! It is so action-packed and filled with suspense!
This is a sequel series to The Sinclair's Mysteries, which I also LOVED! This is the 3rd book in the Taylor and Rose; Secret Agents series.
THE PLOT TWIST!!!! OMCUPACKES!
I loved that Jack and Leo came along for the adventure - I really enjoyed reading about them and their characters!
I love love love this series and I really hope that you do, too! Thank you for reading my review! Follow @bronteandwilder on Instagram for fun book recommendations!
August 18, 2020
Oh boy, oh boy!
I felt like the other two books in this fab series were worse than the Sinclair's but this book... Might just be better than the original series!
It kept me on the edge of my seat for the whole time, and when I closed the book I legit breathed out loud: "that was fabulous!" And yes it was!
Another thrilling and brilliant Katherine Woodfine book and the cliffhanger at the end was unexpected but also expected? Does that make sense to anyone?
This was truly a fab book and Katherine has done a great job of weaving all the books together, she also makes things so memorable through out all her books, so even when she mentions stuff she mentioned in the second Sinclair's in this book, I still remembered what she was on about!
Highly recommend these 2 series, and they will forever be my favourites :)
though I'm sad it's over DX
I felt like the other two books in this fab series were worse than the Sinclair's but this book... Might just be better than the original series!
It kept me on the edge of my seat for the whole time, and when I closed the book I legit breathed out loud: "that was fabulous!" And yes it was!
Another thrilling and brilliant Katherine Woodfine book and the cliffhanger at the end was unexpected but also expected? Does that make sense to anyone?
This was truly a fab book and Katherine has done a great job of weaving all the books together, she also makes things so memorable through out all her books, so even when she mentions stuff she mentioned in the second Sinclair's in this book, I still remembered what she was on about!
Highly recommend these 2 series, and they will forever be my favourites :)
though I'm sad it's over DX
January 9, 2025
O.M.GOODNESS!! If I could I’d give this book 10 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s been 3 months since Joe’s disappearance and all the evidence points to one thing: Joe is dead
Yet Lil refuses to give up on Joe, sinking further and further into her own grief. Can she find the mysterious woman that Joe was following without getting caught? Lil believes there is nothing more exhausting and dangerous as this. But in Venice, things are getting even weirder! Sophie, Jack, and Leo must investigating mysterious deaths, poisonings, painted dragons, suspicious meetings, black cloaks, white masks, and a weapon that could kill all of Europe in seconds. And during all of this chaos, someone is feeding information to the enemy, meaning one thing: there’s a double agent on the loose. Join the whirlwind of untold secrets, mysterious deaths, extravagant parties, wolves in sheep’s clothing, and weapons unearthed in the wonderful book: Villains in Venice!
WHAT A BOOK! It’s heart-stopping yet heartbreaking, deadly yet death defying, impossible yet possible!
This book made me cry (I’ve cried once while reading à book and that was years ago)!
Plot twist after plot twist. The book truly keeps you guessing until the very end! Villains turn out to be allies and allies turn out to be villains. Murderers are actually innocent and innocent are actually murderers! You’ll never truly know until the very end and then everything will link together making you say aloud “Why didn’t I guess that!?”
This book is clean and very appropriate and appealing for many ages. I would suggest 11 and up due to deaths, gunshots, and a few small mentions of blood (example: he was knocked out cold and a small trickle of blood slid down his face). It is kid friendly yet not to so kiddy as to where it is boring. It is the PERFECT read for 11 and up.
*******MINOR SPOILER******
The plot twist at the ending was glorious and that is when I cried! I spilled the whole story out to my family and cried (literal tears slid down my face) as I retold the ending. I couldn’t contain myself.
******SPOILER OVER*******
Please read this wonderful book with twists around every corner, thrills with every case, and mysteries behind every mask.
It’s been 3 months since Joe’s disappearance and all the evidence points to one thing: Joe is dead
Yet Lil refuses to give up on Joe, sinking further and further into her own grief. Can she find the mysterious woman that Joe was following without getting caught? Lil believes there is nothing more exhausting and dangerous as this. But in Venice, things are getting even weirder! Sophie, Jack, and Leo must investigating mysterious deaths, poisonings, painted dragons, suspicious meetings, black cloaks, white masks, and a weapon that could kill all of Europe in seconds. And during all of this chaos, someone is feeding information to the enemy, meaning one thing: there’s a double agent on the loose. Join the whirlwind of untold secrets, mysterious deaths, extravagant parties, wolves in sheep’s clothing, and weapons unearthed in the wonderful book: Villains in Venice!
WHAT A BOOK! It’s heart-stopping yet heartbreaking, deadly yet death defying, impossible yet possible!
This book made me cry (I’ve cried once while reading à book and that was years ago)!
Plot twist after plot twist. The book truly keeps you guessing until the very end! Villains turn out to be allies and allies turn out to be villains. Murderers are actually innocent and innocent are actually murderers! You’ll never truly know until the very end and then everything will link together making you say aloud “Why didn’t I guess that!?”
This book is clean and very appropriate and appealing for many ages. I would suggest 11 and up due to deaths, gunshots, and a few small mentions of blood (example: he was knocked out cold and a small trickle of blood slid down his face). It is kid friendly yet not to so kiddy as to where it is boring. It is the PERFECT read for 11 and up.
*******MINOR SPOILER******
The plot twist at the ending was glorious and that is when I cried! I spilled the whole story out to my family and cried (literal tears slid down my face) as I retold the ending. I couldn’t contain myself.
******SPOILER OVER*******
Please read this wonderful book with twists around every corner, thrills with every case, and mysteries behind every mask.
July 11, 2021
I feel like this one had a LOT of ongoing mysteries through it, which was super suspenseful but rather delightful. Who is the double agent? What’s up with Joe? Who is Mrs Davenport? Plus all the ongoing mysteries that are carrying us through to the last book. So fantastic! I just adore the series and all the characters and how they all weave in and out of the plot. I also loved the Venice setting in this one! It was definitely my favorite setting yet. I’m not sure quite how but the setting and mystery seemed to go hand-in-hand. Also, I got some Room With a View vibes here with the little pension Jack, Leo, and Sophie stay in with all the other English folks.
December 14, 2020
As I expected, part 3 of the Taylor and Rose Secret Agents did not disappoint in the plot. It was exciting and thrilling, and I already can't wait for the next part.
What I enjoy less about this series is that I think Lil and Sophie are pretty indistinguishable characters. I just cannot tell them apart. I *suppose* what sets them apart is that one is blonde and the other not; and that Lil is an actress whereas Sophie is ... clever? I guess? They don't seem to have personalities at all.
Leo, on the other hand ... More of her in the next book, please.
What I enjoy less about this series is that I think Lil and Sophie are pretty indistinguishable characters. I just cannot tell them apart. I *suppose* what sets them apart is that one is blonde and the other not; and that Lil is an actress whereas Sophie is ... clever? I guess? They don't seem to have personalities at all.
Leo, on the other hand ... More of her in the next book, please.
January 1, 2024
Another excellent entry in this series. But do start from the beginning . . . . Since returning from Russia, Lil is obsessed with discovering who the double agent is and finding out what happened to Joe. So much so that she refuses to accompany Sophie on a mission to Venice. To make it look like a mere holiday, Sophie invites Jack and Leo. The story alternates between London and Venice as both Lil and Sophie pursue their goals. Very exciting and fast-paced.
August 18, 2020
Ik hou nog steeds van deze reeks. Er beginnen ook meer zwaardere onderwerpen aan bod te komen omdat Sophie en Lil natuurlijk ouder worden. En dat vind ik wel fijn. Ze bijven niet twaalf of veertien, ze groeien echt doorheen de reeks, maar ze blijven nog altijd vechten tegen dezelfde vijand.
En stiekem wil ik nu graag een keertje naar Venetië. Die stad spreekt zo tot de verbeelding.
En stiekem wil ik nu graag een keertje naar Venetië. Die stad spreekt zo tot de verbeelding.
September 5, 2020
This easy, light cosy mystery meant for middle-grade readers is so well researched for the time and place where it is set (just like all the other books in this series) that even I enjoyed them! Right from the first Sinclair's mystery, I've been hooked on to Sophie and Lil's story. The characters feel so real and plot intelligent. Just can't wait for the next in this series.
June 20, 2024
Book 3 in the Taylor & Rose series sees us heading to Venice full of carnival, rain and black dragons. It's another cracking instalment with an eye popping ending and I can't wait to read the next one to see how it picks up. Do read the previous ones in the series beforehand if you're able it's so worth it.
April 3, 2025
I did not enjoy this one as much as the others as it took a turn from fun mysteries to much higher stakes, and much more dramatic problems. Along with a murder. I want to know what happens, but I just wish it hadn't gotten so tense.
Also the constant "girls don't want to stay in their boxes" thing is getting really old. We get it already.
Also the constant "girls don't want to stay in their boxes" thing is getting really old. We get it already.
August 10, 2020
Fantastic
The Taylor and Rose secret agent series is marvellous. Villains in Venice is the best book so far.
The book kept me in the edge of my seat , from start to finish. More please !
The Taylor and Rose secret agent series is marvellous. Villains in Venice is the best book so far.
The book kept me in the edge of my seat , from start to finish. More please !
December 10, 2020
Another extremely fun installment in Katherine's excellent mystery series! (10+)
*Please note: this review is meant as a recommendation only. Please do not use it in any marketing material, online or in print, without asking permission from me first. Thank you!*
*Please note: this review is meant as a recommendation only. Please do not use it in any marketing material, online or in print, without asking permission from me first. Thank you!*
September 5, 2021
Na de cliff-hanger in het vorige deel, was ik superblij te ontdekken dat ook dit vervolgdeel beschikbaar was op Storytel, dus dook ik er meteen in, terwijl ik tegelijkertijd een muur bekleedde met behangpapier.
Blijft gewoon ontzettend plezierig. Die puzzels, de omgeving, het avontuur. Zo fijn!
Blijft gewoon ontzettend plezierig. Die puzzels, de omgeving, het avontuur. Zo fijn!
December 21, 2021
Again, Woodfine keeps Lil and Sophie apart for most of the story. But I really liked it. Woodfine writes so well. Venice came alive and she makes is suspenseful and fun. I really enjoyed the story. Can't wait for the finale!
January 21, 2022
Elegantly written historical spy story for MG readership. You can read my full review here: http://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home....
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