Phantom of Blood Alley

Barnaby Grimes #4

by Paul Stewart, Chris Riddell

Barnaby Grimes is a tick-tock lad, high-stacking his way across the rooftops of his city in search of adventure and mystery. In each tale, he encounters a supernatural force and must battle the horrors that await him.

In this new adventure, Barnaby finds himself in the fiercely competitive world of early photography, where the rewards are immense but so are the risks. After an experiment goes disastrously wrong, Barnaby is on the trail of a mad chemist with a talent for disappearing into thin air. . . .

Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Middle Grade, Adventure, Childrens, Historical Fiction, Science Fiction

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Paul Stewart is a highly regarded author of books for young readers – from picture books to football stories, fantasy and horror. Together with Chris Riddell he is co-creator of the bestselling Edge Chronicles, which has sold more than three million copies and is available in over twenty languages. They have also collaborated together on lots of other exciting books for children of all ages. The Far-Flung Adventure series includes the Gold Smarties Prize Winner Fergus Crane, and Corby Flood and Hugo Pepper, both Silver Nestle Prize Winners. Then there are the Barnaby Grimes books, two Muddle Earth adventures, and the sci-fi Scavenger and fantasy Wyrmeweald trilogies. For younger readers there is the Blobheads series, while for the very young, Paul has written several picture books, including the Rabbit and Hedgehog series, In the Dark of the Night and, his latest, Wings.

Other authors by this name disambiguation Note:
Paul Stewart - business and management books

Reviews

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars.


Read in just under 2 hours, the books in this series are excellent for when you want to read a whole story in one sitting and have it not require too much focus and attention.

I did enjoy this one more than the others. I really liked the whole Victorian Era theme they have. This story in particular was more a mystery than anything else. So far this is the final book in the series but it ended with telling readers of a possible 5th book to be written. I really hope they do write it because it would be a great story. I'm not sure it will happen but I'm hoping.

[Liz Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come.

[Eleanor · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5 out of 5*

THIS. *GESTURES FRANTICALLY* T H I S.

THIS is why I love middle-grade so much. So often, YA and adult seem like they're trying hard to be a Proper Book. But Phantom of Blood Alley doesn't try. It simply overflows, spilling out of its binding and into my living room. It is unapologetically itself, and so is Barnaby Grimes, one of my new favorite protagonists.

This book is both humorous and suspenseful, topped with a cup of adventure and a liberal sprinkling of surprise. My eyes were practically tripping over themselves and the words, rushing to get to the next line to find out what happened next. I was both grinning madly and on the edge of my seat the whole time. It's only the best kind of book that does that to you, and Phantom of Blood Alley is certainly the best kind of book.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barnaby at his best! While I thought that the main piece of the mystery was easy to solve, the tension and death count kept this a very enthralling read. Barnaby takes an even more detective-like role than ever before, on behalf of a wrongly accused character, and it's nice to see him in this element. Innocents must die of course and the killer is a thoroughly dastardly character. Barnaby's brush with death is particularly scary and gruesome and his savior a rousing hero. I found the explanation for the various acts of villainy to be more reasonable than any of his other mysteries and this made it a better story for me, although the lack of a more exotic element may be less appealing to kids. I'm sorry that this is the last of the series. The end of the book alludes to another upcoming case but this book was published quite a few years ago with no additional volumes.

[Tiffany Lynn Kramer · Rating 2 out of 5]

After such a strong start to the series I'm sad that this is how it's ended, for now at least. Like the previous book I was irritated to find no regular, or strong female characters. There was a glimmer of hope with Barnaby's client Clarissa Oliphant but that didn't last long.
I also couldn't help but feel that very little happened this time around. The villian doesn't feel imposing and the mystery surrounding him isn't that hard to figure out.
The brief teaser at the end about Barnaby's next adventure struck me as far more interesting than the previous 201 pages. I part of me wishes I had that story to look forward to but considering how my feelings have changed so drastically concerning this series I think it's for the best that it ends here.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 star

This series was a really good one! I found the series (all four books) at a local library book sale, as the librarian was putting them out she was telling me that they were a very popular pre teen series of both male and females. So since all four books were there my curiousity was 'lit' I brought them home and was glad I did. All four have been great.

This one Barnaby Grimes have to help with a mystery of who are doing some killings around town. When a women is being held in jail for the first murder; who was her brother. Barnaby and she both knew she didn't do it but the police and everyone else things she did to it. Supernatural things seem to be happening. Could it be supernatural? Or will Barnaby get down to the truth?

[Oni · Rating 4 out of 5]

brilliant

[Elmari Kruger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this and I'm so glad there is more

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really needed and wanted and read a chapter book and after debating between a couple of titles, I chose Barnaby Grimes: Phantom of Blood Alley.

I had never heard of this series before picking it up and to say the least, it is peculiar. It is a little over the top but it is witty.

Set in London, there are definitely some terms and slang that should be reviewed. Things like waistcoats, chambermaids, and tik-tod lad.

Barnaby Grimes is a tik-tod lad or a messenger who happens to fall right in the middle of a dark and twisted murder cover up. The book follows him chasing down leads, attempting to outwit a villain, and saving Tilly and Ms. Oliphant.

I really enjoyed the voice of Barnaby, he is a very confident, reliant, sarcastic, and rebellious boy. I described the book as over the top because of his abilities and insight. I'm not saying that it is a bad thing, but as a young adult, he is making me look bad.

Overall, I would have this book in my classroom. The lack of a clear heroine in this book would make me think that boys would gravitate towards this book more than the girls.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the last review I wrote on this series, I commented that I was going to have to resign myself to this being a pretty straight-up action-adventure series without much in the way of character development.

I was pleasantly surprised, then, when in this book we get, well, not development, per se - as in character growth - but we do at least get more glimpses of Barnaby's character outside of just being a tick-tock lad and accidental adventurer.

I also liked the fact that there was more of a mystery, whodunit it sort of vibe to this story. Not to the point where Barnaby figured out what was going on prior to being captured and monologued to but, still, there's was more detecting than I recall in any of the earlier books, and I enjoyed those aspects of it.

A decent addition to the series, and I just hope it continues to grow from here.

[C.O. Bonham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is, as far as i can tell, the last book in this very bizarre little series. It's kind of a horror, fantasy, mystery thing. I have enjoyed them all. I especially like the Victorian atmosphere that the setting invokes.

Barnaby Grimes is tick-tock lad who has a knack for getting involved with everything creepy, diabolical and just plain weird that goes on in his H. G. Wellian world.

This book was more mystery than the first three in the set in that it deals with an actual murder. After the police arrest the wrong person it is up to Barnaby to investigate the remaining suspects to determin Who the real murderer is.

[Carolina Colleene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Language - PG (3 swears, 0 "f"), Sexual Content - G; Violence - PG
Barnaby Grimes, tick-tock lad, takes on a job from Clarissa Oliphant to follow her secretive brother and report back to her. Unforeseeable to all, they get wrapped up in a murder mystery. Can Barnaby Grimes, tick-tock lad, prove innocence of the accused and catch the real murderer before getting killed himself?
Very suspenseful and a pretty good book. I think it will be better enjoyed by the kids it's focused towards, but if a high schooler wants to read it, this book isn't a bad choice.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The alternate Victorian London created by Riddell & Stewart is fascinating, & these books are genuinely creepy, but easier reads, so they're good for reluctant readers with a taste for horror, especially boys. The major interest in this installment is Barnaby's unpleasant first experiences with the new art of photography (called "photogravure" in his world). There are a couple of good twists to the mystery, & an ending sentence that leads one to hope for further adventures with the intrepid Barnaby. The illustrations, as always, are absolutely outstanding & really bring the story to life.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This as far as i know is the last in the series which is a shame as i felt it was the weakest of the 4 - yes there is a villain but you do not get much of a feel for him, (no pun intended) you do not get to see much of his mischief unlike the other books and you do not really get the feeling of atmosphere either - ok this book is aimed at +11 but the characters the tension even the environment used in the stories - just find out what high stacking is all about- you will realise that this book either wanted to be longer or split up as it does not have the same impact as the earlier volumes.

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book. Really happy, and I really should get book 2 and 5 too.

This Barnaby Grimes book was full with mystery, death, a huge (but overly cute) dog, strange characters and some scares.

The mystery was fun to unravel, and I loved the revelation at the end. Also what I always loved about Paul Stewart's book is that he is so detailed. I could just imagine being in that city, everything was described so wonderfully. I really hope there will be maps coming out. :)

[hissi · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is a detective/police kinda novel.. maybe not suited for my age criteria but i cant say that i didnt enjoy the Sherlockian plot.. i havent read something like that in ages.. i remembered something i used to read when i was a child "takh takh"
plus i liked his profession.. and the way it sounds.. " Barnaby Grimes, a Tik Tok lad" xD

[Antonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful ideas well realised with pacey writing and pretty illustrations. really really liked it - as will anyone who enjoys somewhat historical short novels with a bit of supernatural thrown in. magical!

[Yami · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am deeply enjoying this series, a quick read and very enjoyable, love the macabre theme in it. and as simple as it might be it has it all,science, imagination , madness and darkness , my sort of tale.

update 2025 20th of Nov
I still wish there was more, it is faced paced and extremely enjoyable.

[Frieda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoa, what a mad-cap story! How Paul Stewart combines a type of old England with new fangled, modern inventions is truly incredible. Barnaby Grimes always finds trouble but he always finds a strange way out.

[Catherine Boomer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi, I have read several from my local library in this series. It is a junior title and sometimes can be gruesome, but I totally love the style of writing of this author(s). They have another series, more along the lines of science fiction, but I might steer clear of that set, maybe not.

[Viktoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

barnaby is such an interesting and fun character! liked it a lot!

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first of these books I have read. I enjoyed the character of Barnaby. I will have to check out the others!

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite of the series, and overly gruesome, but rather clever from the historical perspective.

[Roshni · Rating 2 out of 5]

Average lower-level fantasy, a simple, straightforward plot

[Miffy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barnaby Grimes is an excellent series. The characters are engaging, the plots intriguing and the world building is great. The whole is enhance by the wonderful illustrations from Chris Riddell.

[Magenta Cooly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooooooh, this one was really creepy...
You got people getting strangled, melted, pelted, and murdered. Looks like just another day for Barnaby.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one more than the last though I have come to expect more from this collaboration of authors.

[Aubrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Phantom of Blood alley is both interesting and lightly gory, keeping the reader on their toes.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book...but I loved all the books in this series. Kind of sad I've finished it.

[alissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun and quick read for those who love children's books. The slightly over-the-top, quirky adventures of Grimes are perfectly accented with Chris Riddell's illustrations.