It's spring in Stockholm, and a number of things are happening:
-a Norwegian explorer will be returning home and will be feted by the nobility
-there are a number of thefts around the city, which Constable Hoff is investigating
-a couple of the older orphans at the orphanage are discontented with their options, and decide to take control of their lives by taking up with an actor/knife thrower, much to Mika's worry about the adult's intentions for the young teens
-Baby Nora, who was left at the orphanage at the beginning of book one, is suffering from malnutrition and is increasingly weak, much to Mika's horror.
Mika begins investigating the knife thrower, and eventually discovers what the knife thrower has planned, and though she objects, Mika sees throwing in with the woman as the only way to ensure the desperate Mika gets enough money to get more nourishment for the baby.
Things take a turn for the worse when Mika, while trying to fix one problem, is accused of stealing, and ends up in jail, a terrifying development.
I liked this story, and this series. It's much darker than I expected it to be, but it's also interesting and suspenseful. Mika is resourceful and has good instincts, for the most part, about people, and she draws a number of useful and correct conclusions leading to resolutions to the mysteries in this story.
She also begins to develop a closer, more caring relationship with Hoff, who puts his career on the line to help her.
There are revelations, disappointments, and Mika must go on the run for part of this story, hiding from the authorities while she does what she does best: put together small things she learns to identity culprit(s), while being a carer to all the orphans.
I am eager to find out more about the mystery surrounding both Mika and Nora's origins.
Thank you to Netgalley and to AmazonCrossing for this ARC in exchange for my review.