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The Elemental Detectives #1
The Elemental Detectives
A stunningly imagined, action-packed fantasy adventure for fans of Nevermoor, Neverwhere and Mortal Engines, from bestselling and award-winning author Patrice Lawrence.
Step into a London lit up by the Elemental spirits: the fiery Dragons, the airy Fumis, the watery Chads and the earthbound Magogs. But humans have been causing chaos for centuries, trampling through the landscape trailing noise, mess and pollution. What if the Elements could slow down this new world... or stop it all together?
The revenge-fuelled Shepherdess, who moves between the everyday and the supernatural London worlds, is the perfect weapon. She brings a sleeping sickness down on the city with the destruction of society in her sights. Marisee and Robert are the Elemental Detectives chasing the clues to avoid catastrophe: they must face the ghosts of Hyde Park, the monstrous coiled snake of the Serpentine, and a whole host of other fantastical creatures in their mission to stop the Shepherdess and prevent London slumbering for all eternity...
Big, bold, future classic storytelling for a new generation.
A London where magic sparks just beneath the surface - this book is set to ignite young imaginations.
The page-turning, empowering, heart-racing first book in a major new series.
Step into a London lit up by the Elemental spirits: the fiery Dragons, the airy Fumis, the watery Chads and the earthbound Magogs. But humans have been causing chaos for centuries, trampling through the landscape trailing noise, mess and pollution. What if the Elements could slow down this new world... or stop it all together?
The revenge-fuelled Shepherdess, who moves between the everyday and the supernatural London worlds, is the perfect weapon. She brings a sleeping sickness down on the city with the destruction of society in her sights. Marisee and Robert are the Elemental Detectives chasing the clues to avoid catastrophe: they must face the ghosts of Hyde Park, the monstrous coiled snake of the Serpentine, and a whole host of other fantastical creatures in their mission to stop the Shepherdess and prevent London slumbering for all eternity...
Big, bold, future classic storytelling for a new generation.
A London where magic sparks just beneath the surface - this book is set to ignite young imaginations.
The page-turning, empowering, heart-racing first book in a major new series.
432 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2022
15 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
About the author
Patrice Lawrence
45 books150 followersPatrice Lawrence is a British writer and journalist, who has published fiction both for adults and children. Her writing has won awards including the Waterstones Children's Book Prize for Older Children and The Bookseller YA Book Prize.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 3, 2022
This is properly a quest and a half. Filled with the elements, riddles, a pretty menacing evil and a sickness taking over London. The characters in this are just *chef’s kiss* and at one point I had to swear at the book because I was so shocked. A brilliant story that talks of freedom, belonging and messages about slavery in it.
July 19, 2022
This book was the promising start of a series, though on its own it doesn’t exactly wow the reader.
The world-building was a good idea – Georgian London, but with a whole host of elemental spirits filling the city. There’s a lot to explore here! Unfortunately, this book barely examined the idea of how this world is different from our own based on these elemental spirits. Instead, it just seems to be the real Georgian London… only with a bunch of spirits lurking around corners. There was a line early on about how the dragons “were not forgiven for the unfortunate incident of 1666.” (p. 3-4) This is what I’d like to see more of – if there are elemental spirits, they probably interacted with human history! Aside from the Great Fire, where else do we see their handiwork? I know it’s not fair to hold fantasy world-building to the standard of J.K. Rowling or Jonathan Stroud, but I did want more out of this.
The characters were a compelling duo to carry the book – Marisee as the optimist and Robert as the jaded one. Their differing perspectives, where both are black but only one was a slave, made for some really interesting character dynamics and explained a lot about their different world views.
This book (and its characters) focuses strongly on the inequality of eighteenth-century society, and I was glad to see it. However, it was a touch simplistic for my taste. The sleeping sickness affects poor people because they yearn for so much, yet rich people are not susceptible because they don’t face such struggles. However, most of the dreaming is about dead loved ones the dreamers miss, and this is where that constructions falls apart. Mortality was a problem not exclusive to the poor in the 1700s – disease, war, and childbirth were all to perilous even for the moneyed classes. It beggars belief that there are so many rich people with no one to miss – and this gaping plot hole often took me out of the story when it was mentioned.
The mystery of what’s going on and who’s behind the sleeping sickness was a good one, with a satisfying villain. This book is very similar to Lair of Dreams, so fans of that book should enjoy seeing the action moved across the Atlantic and further into the past. I just hope that Patrice Lawrence takes the time in future installments to flesh out her ideas more!
The world-building was a good idea – Georgian London, but with a whole host of elemental spirits filling the city. There’s a lot to explore here! Unfortunately, this book barely examined the idea of how this world is different from our own based on these elemental spirits. Instead, it just seems to be the real Georgian London… only with a bunch of spirits lurking around corners. There was a line early on about how the dragons “were not forgiven for the unfortunate incident of 1666.” (p. 3-4) This is what I’d like to see more of – if there are elemental spirits, they probably interacted with human history! Aside from the Great Fire, where else do we see their handiwork? I know it’s not fair to hold fantasy world-building to the standard of J.K. Rowling or Jonathan Stroud, but I did want more out of this.
The characters were a compelling duo to carry the book – Marisee as the optimist and Robert as the jaded one. Their differing perspectives, where both are black but only one was a slave, made for some really interesting character dynamics and explained a lot about their different world views.
This book (and its characters) focuses strongly on the inequality of eighteenth-century society, and I was glad to see it. However, it was a touch simplistic for my taste. The sleeping sickness affects poor people because they yearn for so much, yet rich people are not susceptible because they don’t face such struggles. However, most of the dreaming is about dead loved ones the dreamers miss, and this is where that constructions falls apart. Mortality was a problem not exclusive to the poor in the 1700s – disease, war, and childbirth were all to perilous even for the moneyed classes. It beggars belief that there are so many rich people with no one to miss – and this gaping plot hole often took me out of the story when it was mentioned.
The mystery of what’s going on and who’s behind the sleeping sickness was a good one, with a satisfying villain. This book is very similar to Lair of Dreams, so fans of that book should enjoy seeing the action moved across the Atlantic and further into the past. I just hope that Patrice Lawrence takes the time in future installments to flesh out her ideas more!
August 18, 2025
I loved this dive into historical London and the story that unfolds between two kids that just happen to have the necessary tools and skills to keep the doom at bay as more and more people in London are overcome by the sleeping sickness.
March 23, 2023
Lots of questions...but no answers
November 26, 2023
✰✰✰✰ / 5
Historical, magical, and complex, this MG book engaged me more than I expected. Exploring deep themes of slavery, child endangerment, and poverty in Georgian London through the eyes of two Black children, one enslaved and one an apprentice to her grandmother, is a very interesting premise and it was very well done.
Robert and Marisee were great main characters, and their journey trying to wake London from a Sleeping Beauty-esque curse by finding her missing Grandma was compelling. I will say that the book lost momentum in the final act, and the overall ending was a bit unsatisfying and sudden. I think this book could have used some more rounds of edits for clarity and precision — it was confusing where characters were and how they got there sometimes.
The magic system was super fascinating — your typical four Elementals (air, earth, fire, and water) embodied by different features of London’s atmosphere, subtly changing human (or “Solid”) history under the noses of most. Marisee and her Grandma are the only ones who really know about the Elementals, and she acts as a “chosen one” bridge between the two worlds. The system is a bit confusing at first, and the names of each elemental we’re introduced to were not easy to remember.
Overall this is a really interesting and deep MG read, and I think it deserves more hype than it got!
my instagram // my book tiktok
Historical, magical, and complex, this MG book engaged me more than I expected. Exploring deep themes of slavery, child endangerment, and poverty in Georgian London through the eyes of two Black children, one enslaved and one an apprentice to her grandmother, is a very interesting premise and it was very well done.
Robert and Marisee were great main characters, and their journey trying to wake London from a Sleeping Beauty-esque curse by finding her missing Grandma was compelling. I will say that the book lost momentum in the final act, and the overall ending was a bit unsatisfying and sudden. I think this book could have used some more rounds of edits for clarity and precision — it was confusing where characters were and how they got there sometimes.
The magic system was super fascinating — your typical four Elementals (air, earth, fire, and water) embodied by different features of London’s atmosphere, subtly changing human (or “Solid”) history under the noses of most. Marisee and her Grandma are the only ones who really know about the Elementals, and she acts as a “chosen one” bridge between the two worlds. The system is a bit confusing at first, and the names of each elemental we’re introduced to were not easy to remember.
Overall this is a really interesting and deep MG read, and I think it deserves more hype than it got!
my instagram // my book tiktok
April 4, 2023
I really enjoyed this. It hit all my buttons. Really good portrayal of 18th century London; a real grasp of the limitations of class, race and gender; brilliant use of the elemental/river stories; and an adventure which took us round the city. For once I'm really hoping for a sequel.
I have two criticisms:
-I don't think the denoument is handled terribly well. In the end it's not the actions of the children that sort things out.
-This one is a bit baffling: there are two names used in this book that are the names of real historical characters, but they aren't those characters. As they are really really well known (to adults if not to children) it's really jarring. I am not sure what the point is.
If you liked Charlie Fletcher's Stoneheart sequence I think you will enjoy this.
Scholastic have also put some real effort into this book: it's a really beautiful looking book.
I have two criticisms:
-I don't think the denoument is handled terribly well. In the end it's not the actions of the children that sort things out.
-This one is a bit baffling: there are two names used in this book that are the names of real historical characters, but they aren't those characters. As they are really really well known (to adults if not to children) it's really jarring. I am not sure what the point is.
If you liked Charlie Fletcher's Stoneheart sequence I think you will enjoy this.
Scholastic have also put some real effort into this book: it's a really beautiful looking book.
August 9, 2023
There's a promising book hidden in here somewhere, but there are so many characters and plot points and places all thrown at you in the space of just a few pages that the story feels cluttered. I wish the book would have focused on EITHER the elemental beasts OR the Ether OR the Shepherdess instead of putting it all in one book and seeing what sticks. I felt like the writer could never quite decide what they wanted the book to be about. *I* had no idea what the book was about either, so there's two of us. The large cast of characters made things extra confusing.
I'm disappointed, because a magical story set in historical London should have been right up my street. Robert, with his sad back story, could have been a wonderful character. Instead, Robert's potential was wasted by a cluttered book that never really seemed to know what kind of book it wanted to be. Ugh.
I'm disappointed, because a magical story set in historical London should have been right up my street. Robert, with his sad back story, could have been a wonderful character. Instead, Robert's potential was wasted by a cluttered book that never really seemed to know what kind of book it wanted to be. Ugh.
April 6, 2023
I cannot understand why this book isn't receiving international hype .... It's absolutely incredible.
I didn't think I'd ever relive the first read experience of series like Susan Cooper's The Dark Is Rising, atmospheric, creepy, wonderful, and this book took me to a place I didn't think was possible as an adult reader.
It's magnificent.
The magical world is so *real*. It has unbelievable heart, and ponders questions that really, really matter.
I don't even know how write the review-proper. I'm just full of awe, and frankly shock at the other reviews.
This book is a must read (or listen, I loved the audio book) and I'll be working my way through the author's cataloogue.
Hands down best MG fiction I've read in a decade, and will stay with me a very long time.
I didn't think I'd ever relive the first read experience of series like Susan Cooper's The Dark Is Rising, atmospheric, creepy, wonderful, and this book took me to a place I didn't think was possible as an adult reader.
It's magnificent.
The magical world is so *real*. It has unbelievable heart, and ponders questions that really, really matter.
I don't even know how write the review-proper. I'm just full of awe, and frankly shock at the other reviews.
This book is a must read (or listen, I loved the audio book) and I'll be working my way through the author's cataloogue.
Hands down best MG fiction I've read in a decade, and will stay with me a very long time.
October 22, 2025
It's been a year or two since I've read this, and re-reading it? Just as good as the first read.
Patrice Lawrence does an amazing job at world-building, painting a vivid scene of 18th century London and Marisee and Robert are like 2 sides of a coin.
Marisee grew up with her grandmother, learning everything about the spirits.
Robert, however, grows up a slave, viewing life through a groggy lense. Like I said, the duo are like 2 sides of the same coin; Marisee living an educated, privileged life and Robert dealing with so many things, not truly having freedom until he met her.
The book is beautiful and I highly recommend it
Patrice Lawrence does an amazing job at world-building, painting a vivid scene of 18th century London and Marisee and Robert are like 2 sides of a coin.
Marisee grew up with her grandmother, learning everything about the spirits.
Robert, however, grows up a slave, viewing life through a groggy lense. Like I said, the duo are like 2 sides of the same coin; Marisee living an educated, privileged life and Robert dealing with so many things, not truly having freedom until he met her.
The book is beautiful and I highly recommend it
Read
February 21, 2024Didn't finish, abandoned on page 153, no rating given
The story in general just didn't grab my attention in any real, meaningful way. I wss always getting distracted, couldn't keep myself focused. The characters and the world were nice, but not very special or anything either.
Just not my cup of tea, that's what it comes down to.
The story in general just didn't grab my attention in any real, meaningful way. I wss always getting distracted, couldn't keep myself focused. The characters and the world were nice, but not very special or anything either.
Just not my cup of tea, that's what it comes down to.
October 12, 2024
Start of the book where Robert is introduced is boring. Rest of it gets overly intense but hard to track. Not the best book I’ve read. Recommend cogheart books if you liked this one or want another adventure.
October 15, 2022
A real change for Patrice - loved it, hope there are more!
February 25, 2023
Good idea but they move around to much, kinda rushed, reminds me of stories i wrote when i was younger
Read
April 14, 2023The colour on the pages alone is worth getting this book for. So pretty!
I loved the historical context at the back of the book.
I loved the historical context at the back of the book.
Want to read
April 16, 2023In Sep 2022 copies of this book were delivered to all secondary schools in Southend-on-Sea as part of the Jacqson Diego Story Emporium Book Elves initiative.
July 29, 2023
An absolute corker of an adventure, with masses of magic alongside an alternate history. Also, The Shepherdess was right.
November 7, 2024
Liked this race around London with these two. Liked the historical references too
July 28, 2025
Enjoyed it but took a while to read
February 13, 2025
I’ve got to admit, at first I was not impressed. I wanted to stop reading it. But I told myself that “you never know, just keep going” and I did. It gradually became more engaging and enjoyable and at one point I could not put it down. I mean come on, No one would have guessed that the Sheparddess was who she really was. 4 stars 🌟
July 25, 2022
This is the first full-length middle grade from Patrice Lawrence, though she has written some short stories in this age category I’ve enjoyed, so I was very excited to be offered a proof copy and then to read it with my bookstagram friend Izzy (@feelingratherbookish). It follows Marisee and Robert who live in an alternate version of London where Elemental spirits linger, and a mysterious villain named the Shepherdess who is seemingly forcing most of the population into an eternal slumber. The fantasy worldbuilding of this is wonderful; I love elemental magic and meeting the versions of that in this book as they’re all very distinctive, and I hope we learn more about the groups we didn’t see so much of in this installment which was largely focused on the water element Chads. I also enjoyed the exploration of the real world history of the time period through Robert’s experience as a slave, both on a plantation and as part of a London household; while I liked Marisee very much, I think Robert was particularly brilliantly written and I loved how transformative his journey in this book is. The climax of this was super enthralling too, and I’m most definitely going to be continuing in the series.
March 11, 2024
A brilliant historical fantasy that tackles some incredibly heavy topics but in a mature and accessible way for middle grade. The main characters are vivid and likeable, even when in conflict with each other. Lawrence has clearly put so much research and time into this novel. The magic system is also so intriguing - I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Thank you to Bolinda Audio & NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Bolinda Audio & NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 25, 2022
Breathtaking storytelling. One of those books that you can’t put down and need to know the end, but at the same time, you don’t want to finish it too soon. I was so invested in these characters. Just wonderful!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews