A Case of Misfortune (The Violet Veil Mysteries)

The Violet Veil Mysteries #2

by Sophie Cleverly

The second title in this breakout new detective series, from the author of the spine-tingling Scarlet and Ivy series.

Violet Veil is ready for her next big case and with trouble afoot at the Grecian Theatre, Violet and her dog Bones are hot on the trail. But just who is the mysterious fortune-teller, Lady Athena, whose predictions keep coming true? Is it all just a case of smoke and mirrors? Or is there something more sinister going on…?

Genres: Middle Grade, Mystery, Historical, Historical Fiction, Childrens, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller

336 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2022

About the author

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

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

Reviews

[Nikola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Polscy wydawcy, tutaj superksiazka!

[Sophie]

The book is finally coming out this week! I had a lot of fun writing this new adventure for Violet and co, and I really hope you will enjoy it. I took inspiration from -among other things - a book I started writing when I was 13 years old called Miss Fortune; my love of all things Greek; and my fascination with old theatres, ghosts and spooky goings-on. Happy reading.

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Middle Grade Historical Fiction Mystery with Magical Realism, and this is the second book in the Violet Veil Mysteries series. I have read and reviewed the first book in this book series before reading this book, but I do not think you have to read the first book before picking up this book. This is a cute and fun Fast Pace Middle Grade Mystery with great characters. I love the characters in this book so much, and the main character, Violet is just everything I want a middle grade character to be. Bones, Violet's dog, helps her solve the cases she gets into, and I really love animals that becomes like a secondary main characters. I also really enjoyed that this book takes place in a historical time period. I think the time period made this book so much better. The mystery in this book was fun, and there was a small twist at the end. The twist was not super big, but it was good for a middle grade book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks) or author (Sophie Cleverly) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

[Anna Catharina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 Sterne

[Ada Seven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bu Violet Veil’in Gizemi serisinin 2. kitabıydı. Eğer bir önceki kitap yorumlarımı okuduysanız bilirsiniz ki, bu serinin 1. kitabını o kadar beğenmiştim ki hemen diğer kitabını almaya karar verdim. Bir önceki kadar gizemli ve harikaydı!
Violet ve Oliver bir sonraki maceralarından sonra bir dedektiflik bürosu kurmaya karar verirler. İlanı dükkanın önüne koyarlar ve kısa bir süre sonra ilk müşterileri gelir. Bayan Li’nin çözülmesini istediği vaka gerçekten de çok ama çok garip ve esrarengizdir. Kısa bir süre önce ölen babasının ona verdiği lanetli kolyeden sonunda kurtulmak için kolyeyi babası defnedilirken mezarına atar. Ancak bundan hemen sonraki gün Bayan Li’nin kız kardeşi Leydi Athena adlı ünlü bir medyumun gösterisine gider ve Leydi Athena ona ablasının kolyeyi bulacağını söyler. Gerçekten bundan sonraki gün kolye Bayan Li’nin masasının üstünde belirir. Peki ama bu nasıl olmuştur…
Gizem sevenlere tavsiye ederim. 3. kitabı için sabırsızlanıyorum..!

[MrsD271015 D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently read this first book in this series and was pleased to get an advance digital copy for the second so that I could get straight on with the adventure.

Violet’s sense of determination certainly hasn’t faded and with her new business set up she is quickly tasked with a new mystery to solve. Miss Li and her reappearing necklace certainly fit that bill.

Oliver and Bones are in their rightful places at her side and I was delighted to meet two new young characters. The children of the theatre owners (Eleni and Niko). Reading of their first encounter filed me with a sense of joy for Violet who obviously missed the company of friends her own age. I also got the sense that Eleni was going to be just as strong minded and adventurous as Violet.

The story started of as a simple mystery - predictions by Lady Athena coming true under some what questionable circumstances but things soon took an even more dramatic turn when one of the theatres actors was murdered.

Re-energised after a small slump Violet goes back to investigating with her usual vigor but can she really uncover the truth?

There was a lot of tension in this book between Oliver and Violet. Violet is forced to learn some hard lessons about herself in order to put things right. It’s not easy to accept that you were wrong and Violet is no different to the rest of us.

I found this to be a very enjoyable read and hope there will soon be a book three.

[hind . · Rating 5 out of 5]

BEST BOOK EVER!! SUPER UNDERRATED AND VERY MYSTERIOUSLY FUN!! YOU SHOULD READ THIS LIKE RIGHT NOW!!

[Jiyah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book has been an exhilarating adventure I hope many others will get to experience. From solving murders to mending ones friendships the book has entertained me from page 1.

[Elif Saygın · Rating 5 out of 5]

İt is a really good book. it is mysterious and fun!

[Claire ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another upbeat mystery from Cleverly, A CASE OF MISFORTUNE delights.

Violet Veil is back, this time investigating the strange instances of a psychic act at the local theatre, whose prophecies seem to be coming true...

Cleverly once again delivers a fast-paced, cosy mystery adventure full of charming characters and shenanigans.

At the beginning of the story, determined heroine Violet has gained recognition for saving her father in the last book, and begins her own mystery-solving service. She is approached by Miss Li, a woman whose necklace has mysteriously reappeared in her home... when last she saw it, it was being buried with her father's grave, which is still undisturbed...

The mystery continues to build as more instances of amazement occur, all linked to a psychic called Lady Athena at the local theatre. There Violet befriends the children of the theatre's owners, Niko and Eleni. Only until Lady Athena predicts the death of her colleague does Violet suspect something more sinister, but the book never loses its hopeful whimsy and stays light-hearted despite its heavier turn.

What I actually liked more about this instalment of VIOLET is the tension between Violet and Oliver, the boy who 'came back from the dead' in the last book. There's a gentle conflict between the two of them, in that Oliver doesn't think Violet appreciates him, that bubbles to the surface at the end of the book. Violet's do first, think later, can-do attitude lands her in trouble more than once, but especially with Oliver, and it brings to attention a nice message of not taking anything or anyone for granted. With Bones the dog, the main characters make a dynamic unit, easy to love and follow.

WILL I READ ON? Yes!

eARC received from HarperCollins UK Children's via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This title releases on the 6th January 2022.

LAST REVIEW

[Maria Velykanova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Друга частина серія нічим не поступається першій і цілком продовжує те, що та започаткувала. Тут так само показано батьків, які хотіли б виховувати свою доньку так, як заповідають у їхній час — чемною дівчинкою, захищеною від усілякого зла, тобто необізнаною. Але не виходить. Вони і намагаються її підтримувати, і водночас їм дуже важко прийняти її такою, яка вона є. І — так, батько підтримує її більше, ніж матір, але тут це добре пояснено і, як мені здається, закладає певні основи для подальшого розуміння дитиною, чому в літературі так часто буває. Бо батько розуміє всі ризики експериментів, але розуміє також, що без них не досягти успіху. А мати зауважує, що все це чудово, але якщо ти не пратимеш, не прибиратимеш, не готуватимеш і не шитимеш, цього не робитиме ніхто. Батькові цього робити не треба, от він і готовий вкладати свій час і сили в ризики. А ти — інша справа. Ти жінка. Те, що батько перекидає на мене, тобі нема на кого перекинути.
Віолета, надихнувшись успіхом у першому розслідуванні, вирішує відкрити власне детективне агентство. І — о диво! — до неї приходить перша клієнтка! Звісно, Віолета береться за справу. І потрапляє в театр, де пророкує таємнича жінка, котра вміє говорити з духами.
Але є нюанс. Віолета також на це здатна. Тож саме вона може нарівні розмовляти з леді Афіною — якщо трапиться така нагода.
Ця книжка — дуже демонстративно для дітей, хоча я ковтнула миттю. Тут дається дуже багато слушних порад, роз’яснюється купа важливих для дитини речей, але робиться це не дидактично, а захопливо і пізнавально. Я не зможу перелічити всього, його надто багато, але от на чому авторка більш-менш зосереджується:
— інклюзивність — одна з персонажок у кріслі колісному;
— неправильні схеми ставлення до людини з інвалідністю і чому вони огидні (вікторіанська епоха якнайкраще підходить для такої теми);
— аб’юзивний батько і важкі наслідки життя з ним;
— одержимість, що прикидається любов’ю, і її небезпеки;
— небезпека самотности: самотні підлітки схильні надто довіряти тим, хто нарешті опинився поруч;
— межі розумної турботи дорослих про дітей;
— якщо людина фахівець, варто дослухатися до неї, навіть якщо тобі не подобається те, що вона каже;
— як би тебе не захоплювало те, що ти робиш, зважай на ближнього;
— люди брешуть. Іноді талановито. Довіра — штука, яку треба заслужити, вона не мусить іти за промовчанням;
— іноді правила доводиться порушувати, навіть розумні. Проте важливо розуміти ту межу, за якою це стає можливим, а іноді навіть необхідним.
Як на мене, це чудові, вельми важливі думки. Крім того, в книзі дуже багато персонажок, які діють активно, проходять тест Бехдел майже на кожній другій сторінці, проте вк��ай мало протиставляються чоловікам. Також тут змальовуються численні гарні люди, показуються схеми здорових стосунків і взагалі чимало прикладів життєвого досвіду, який варто обміркувати. Раджу де��ь років від 8, особливо якщо дитина в принципі читунка.
Наживо книжка дуже приємна, папір менш крейдований, ніж у першій частині, але гірше не стало, читається зручно, легко, наприкінці у Віолети немає відбою від клієнтів, тож чекаємо на третю частину.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a rollercoaster, it took a turn! After the success of their latest case with the Black Widow, Violet and her associates are assigned on their next one in the Grecian Theatre. A fortune-teller whose predictions keep coming true! As Violet investigates the case with her companions, trouble of course makes its appearance, not just trouble with the case but also with her friendship. This book is filled with friendship, mystery, unexpected twists, and some loss. She meets 2 young people like her and wants to make a good impression although she's not used to it yet. She kept wanting to impress the two after just briefly meeting them, but Oliver doubts them and thinks they might be involved with the case. Violet disagrees and that's where their quarrel started. I understand how she gets distracted sometimes, especially after meeting the 2 young people like her. She's not used to it yet and wants to make a good impression to them. She kept forgetting the friend who was in front of her all this time, the first to accept her as herself with supernatural powers or not. But hey, she's just like us. I'm so very eager for the next one!!!!!

After reading the first book I didn't think that Violet's parents would allow her to continue her investigating with her companions, but they did! I was happy with the chance she got!

Violet is such a brave girl when it comes to the face of danger! I really like her fierceness. Bones is a lovely companion to Violet and Oliver, he's very reliable and is always there for them. Oliver is a good-natured friend to Violet and I really liked his Jack Danger persona.

I have questions though, how did Oliver hear Mary's ghost? Is his surname really Oats? Will there be a book 3???

[Smitchy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would be a good option for younger readers (8-14) who have enjoyed series like Enola Holmes or a Murder Most Unladylike, however in my opinion this one doesn't quite have the same quality as those series.
Bearing in mind I am an adult reader and therefore not the target audience, I found that the author's modern sensibilities kept me from feeling like the historical setting of the book was anything more than stage dressing - like they had really wanted to write a contemporary YA detective story but their editor had told them that historical is really hot right now so stick it in 1900. I am sure a junior reader wouldn't notice that unless they read a lot of things like Arthur Conan Doyle or H.G. Wells.
My other issue was just that Violet Veil simply wasn't that good a a detective - yes she solves the mystery, but only after several other characters basically hand her the solution on a platter.
Overall this is a solid but not outstanding book for me. I am happy to have read it as it will be one I direct young readers to when they have ticked off stories like Friday Barnes, Enola Homes, or Alice-Miranda.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful book that ticks a lot of "must tell everyone I know about this book" boxes for me. Well-rounded young female character with flaws and dreams? Check! Middle-grade mystery? Check! Historical fiction? Cute dogs? Check! Delightful sidekick Oliver who, even though he sometimes gets a little afraid, is brave in his own way? Check! Mysterious mediums that may or may not be charlatans? Check! Disabled character representation? Check! Supernatural abilities? Check!

I love it all. What I love most, though, is that Violet isn't "just" made out to be this brave, independent girl with dreams of becoming a detective. She gets scared and lonely too, and she's not afraid to admit that, after spending so much time talking mostly to grown-ups, clients and ghosts, she just needs a friend. (Or three.) It makes for a very compelling, relatable character that I wish more people knew about.

[Iris ⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this. I'm 10 and really enjoyed the second book, even better than the first. The book always kept me wondering who was the culprit, but I never would have suspected who it was. The theatre was described perfectly, and I could imagine what it would look like. I wouldn't hesitate to read this again if I had to.
I think someone maybe 10-11 would like this book, as it's similar to the first. Even though someone slightly older or younger could read it, I think that this book leaned more towards that age for me.

[Toni Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I said it for the last one, but this is perfect detective series for kids to get into. It's not too watered down and lets them figure out clues as they go along, like they're part of the story. Excellent characters, original and new, with developments realistic to themselves and the story. It's fun and clever and twisty, and had an open ending for more. Bones the dog is my favourite character and I still think there's something a bit magic about him

[Eva Yoxall-Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty good tbh this series hasn’t been nearly as good as scarlet and ivy, which will always be one of the best series of my childhood, but it’s okay and I’m excited for the next book. this book was better than the first and I feel like younger me would have eaten this up. I always wanted to start a detective agency AND write plays.

[rohini · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the second instalment in the Violet Veil Mysteries Series and it was just as good as the first one! The writing was great as always! The mystery in itself was pretty solid and I loved how it ended so satisfactorily! Overall this was a great novel and I definitely want to read more in this series!

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the free e-arc!

[Alsu Cakmak · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Sophie Cleverly but I don’t think she has done it with Violet. I like her but I definitely like Bones and Oliver more and they are the only ones getting me through these series. Anyways, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the second book because of Eleni and Niko. They just ruined everything for me. Also the case of Lady Athena wasn’t interesting at all.

[Isha Fathima · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book and I am so sad that I have only 1 more book bye Sophie cleverly
and I hope she writes more cuz I love her.
and one thing that I had noticed about Sophie's books are that they do not have a big plot twist moment but in this book it is there and I was absolutely surprised when that happend and I would reccomend this to anybody in the whole world!!!!!

[Mozoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an interesting book, it started of a little normal and then the mystery begins to get deeper than I had ever imagined. It’s a really amazing book and I definitely recommend it to anyone who just started reading long books.

[Laura Bartrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series and cannot wait for the next book already.

[Victoria B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Kirsty Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Nisan Guvendik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Its the 2nd book in the series

[Gabriella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

[Danni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have loved reading about Violet Veil so far, these books are so well written, and have excellent characters and mysteries. Would absolutely recommend these books!

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please read this series guys I'm telling you it's so good

[Kim Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great sequel to the first book in the series. The plot, new characters and setting, were all well-developed and it was a fascinating part of Victorian history to learn about.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! I mean, first of all it’s set in a theatre, and let’s be honest, the best murder mysteries are set in a theatre.
Then, there is an amazing mystery with twists (and a couple of them too)! Sophie Cleverly is a master book writer (I mean we all knew that anyway, but I’m just repeating it).
So, all in all, READ VIOLET VEIL BECAUSE ITS AMAZING.
4.5 stars, and I cannot WAIT for book three!