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The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries #2
Portraits and Poison
The second book in the thrilling middle grade mystery series, perfect for fans of Robin Steven’s Murder Most Unladylike. Set in eighteenth-century London, with all the fun and zest of Hamilton and inspired by real Black British historical figures.
The Lizzie and Belle Drama and Danger has been shortlisted for the Waterstones 2023 Children’s Book Prize!
Agents of history. Partners in Mystery. Sisters in solving crime.
Twelve-year-olds Lizzie Sancho and Dido Belle are from different worlds – Lizzie lives in Westminster in her dad’s tea shop, while Belle is an heiress being brought up by her aunt and uncle at grand Kenwood House – but they both share a love of solving mysteries. And after saving Lizzie’s father from attempted murder surely there is no threat too challenging for this detective duo?
It’s the summer of 1777, the night of the grand unveiling of the Sancho-Mansfields family portrait – and a celebration of friendship, family, and freedom! But all too soon things take a dark turn – the painting has been stolen! Now it is time for Lizzie and Belle to put their sleuthing skills to the ultimate test, following a trail of thefts, kidnappings and even poisonings that haunts the twisting London streets.
With a grand conspiracy afoot, and a mysterious organisation threatening their closest friends and family, who can Lizzie and Belle trust?
Once again it is up to the two girls to unveil the truth and put an end to the villainy that plagues the city.
The Lizzie and Belle Drama and Danger has been shortlisted for the Waterstones 2023 Children’s Book Prize!
Agents of history. Partners in Mystery. Sisters in solving crime.
Twelve-year-olds Lizzie Sancho and Dido Belle are from different worlds – Lizzie lives in Westminster in her dad’s tea shop, while Belle is an heiress being brought up by her aunt and uncle at grand Kenwood House – but they both share a love of solving mysteries. And after saving Lizzie’s father from attempted murder surely there is no threat too challenging for this detective duo?
It’s the summer of 1777, the night of the grand unveiling of the Sancho-Mansfields family portrait – and a celebration of friendship, family, and freedom! But all too soon things take a dark turn – the painting has been stolen! Now it is time for Lizzie and Belle to put their sleuthing skills to the ultimate test, following a trail of thefts, kidnappings and even poisonings that haunts the twisting London streets.
With a grand conspiracy afoot, and a mysterious organisation threatening their closest friends and family, who can Lizzie and Belle trust?
Once again it is up to the two girls to unveil the truth and put an end to the villainy that plagues the city.
486 pages, Paperback
First published March 30, 2023
About the author
J.T. Williams
6 books23 followersLibrarian Note: There are multiple authors by this name in the Goodreads database.
See also: Fantasy author J.T. Williams
See also: Fantasy author J.T. Williams
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 30, 2026
I personally think that this book was better than the first. The first book was amazing. Book one was about them just meeting, but book two is about their strong friendship which is just so nice to see grow and how they’ve bonded and became quite a force to be reckoned with.
Throughout the book they face separation, their families are not allowed to meet as the Sancho’s are the main suspects for Belle’s Uncle’s poisoning. But this only ensures Lizzie and Belle grow closer. They have a bond that cannot be broken and don’t see themselves as friends, but as sisters. It’s so sweet!
I think the storyline is great too! The portrait of the two families has been stolen! As well as this, they are looking for Mercury (a case that was left unsolved in book one so that was a nice tie in to the last book). And to top it all off Lizzie’s Uncle has fell ill from foxglove poisoning, given to him by a traitor in his midst. I love how eventually it all links together and everything is connected. Nothing is left unsolved or leaving you still asking questions.
I loved also how the portrait of the two families, one being white the other black, showed unity and peace. Obviously, set at that time period, slavery was still going on in England. Two of the characters in this have experienced slavery and it talks about it a lot. But when Mercury is found (Mercury being one of those people) and is reunited with his mother that had previously been captured by the same “master” they had stories to prove the need for peace and unity and anti-slavery.
The only things I have to say are only my opinions. I found both book one and book two a little confusing. There are a lot of names thrown around. By the time you’re at the end of the book and it’s started mentioning people’s names from the beginning of the book, I’ve forgotten who those people are. Also, because it was set in that time period, they’re referred to by their last names. It’s like Mr ___ and when those people have sons there are then two Mr ___ so I think it got quite confusing at times.
Also, it took me a while to get used to the fact that this time it’s wrote from Belle’s perspective, not Lizzie’s. I like how the authors done that. I just thought that that was a bit confusing also.
However overall, I loved this book!
Throughout the book they face separation, their families are not allowed to meet as the Sancho’s are the main suspects for Belle’s Uncle’s poisoning. But this only ensures Lizzie and Belle grow closer. They have a bond that cannot be broken and don’t see themselves as friends, but as sisters. It’s so sweet!
I think the storyline is great too! The portrait of the two families has been stolen! As well as this, they are looking for Mercury (a case that was left unsolved in book one so that was a nice tie in to the last book). And to top it all off Lizzie’s Uncle has fell ill from foxglove poisoning, given to him by a traitor in his midst. I love how eventually it all links together and everything is connected. Nothing is left unsolved or leaving you still asking questions.
I loved also how the portrait of the two families, one being white the other black, showed unity and peace. Obviously, set at that time period, slavery was still going on in England. Two of the characters in this have experienced slavery and it talks about it a lot. But when Mercury is found (Mercury being one of those people) and is reunited with his mother that had previously been captured by the same “master” they had stories to prove the need for peace and unity and anti-slavery.
The only things I have to say are only my opinions. I found both book one and book two a little confusing. There are a lot of names thrown around. By the time you’re at the end of the book and it’s started mentioning people’s names from the beginning of the book, I’ve forgotten who those people are. Also, because it was set in that time period, they’re referred to by their last names. It’s like Mr ___ and when those people have sons there are then two Mr ___ so I think it got quite confusing at times.
Also, it took me a while to get used to the fact that this time it’s wrote from Belle’s perspective, not Lizzie’s. I like how the authors done that. I just thought that that was a bit confusing also.
However overall, I loved this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2023
Excellent MG historical fiction. You can read my full review here: http://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home....
January 12, 2026
PORTRAITS AND POISON is a great second mystery set in Georgian England, centring on the Black community there.
As the title suggests, this book explores how Black people were represented in portraiture in the Georgian period. This is a period where we see a larger subsection of people being painted as the merchant class gets wealthier. However, there is a great deal of political imagery around the inclusion of people of colour, usually as a status symbol of wealth and ownership. PORTRAITS AND POISON looks unflinchingly at this reality while weaving a compelling tale of friendship and mystery.
The primary mystery is, of course, who stole the painting and we follow two very real girls across London to find it. We get to see the Royal Academy (which is less than ten years old this point), a grand mansion where Belle lives, and the cosy house and teashop where Lizzie lives. It is a richly drawn world full of attention to detail.
I enjoyed the mystery, the various layers that were peeled back over the course of the novel. You can work out quite early on the motive, but the real question is exactly who is behind this - and if they can be stopped before the characters are hurt.
Unlike DRAMA AND DANGER, which was narrated by Lizzie, PORTRAITS AND POISON is told from Belle's perspective. It was really nice to have seen both girl's perspectives in the series. They come from very different walks of life and approach challenges differently - and I like seeing main characters who don't always rush impulsively into things!
The book is illustrated by Simone Douglas. There are some lovely full page spreads of the girls in action that really help bring scenes alive. We have parties and a mounted chase, as well as more domestic scenes.
This is the second Lizzie and Belle mystery - and unfortunately, I think, the last. I would love to see more books about this super sleuth duo, and its thoughtful exploration of life for Black people in Georgian England. It's a series that doesn't shy away from exploring the darkness in British society, laying bare the reality many would prefer to ignore. Equally, it's not a series without joy and light, and I really liked how it showed a defiant happiness in the Black community.
As the title suggests, this book explores how Black people were represented in portraiture in the Georgian period. This is a period where we see a larger subsection of people being painted as the merchant class gets wealthier. However, there is a great deal of political imagery around the inclusion of people of colour, usually as a status symbol of wealth and ownership. PORTRAITS AND POISON looks unflinchingly at this reality while weaving a compelling tale of friendship and mystery.
The primary mystery is, of course, who stole the painting and we follow two very real girls across London to find it. We get to see the Royal Academy (which is less than ten years old this point), a grand mansion where Belle lives, and the cosy house and teashop where Lizzie lives. It is a richly drawn world full of attention to detail.
I enjoyed the mystery, the various layers that were peeled back over the course of the novel. You can work out quite early on the motive, but the real question is exactly who is behind this - and if they can be stopped before the characters are hurt.
Unlike DRAMA AND DANGER, which was narrated by Lizzie, PORTRAITS AND POISON is told from Belle's perspective. It was really nice to have seen both girl's perspectives in the series. They come from very different walks of life and approach challenges differently - and I like seeing main characters who don't always rush impulsively into things!
The book is illustrated by Simone Douglas. There are some lovely full page spreads of the girls in action that really help bring scenes alive. We have parties and a mounted chase, as well as more domestic scenes.
This is the second Lizzie and Belle mystery - and unfortunately, I think, the last. I would love to see more books about this super sleuth duo, and its thoughtful exploration of life for Black people in Georgian England. It's a series that doesn't shy away from exploring the darkness in British society, laying bare the reality many would prefer to ignore. Equally, it's not a series without joy and light, and I really liked how it showed a defiant happiness in the Black community.
April 27, 2023
What a gem of a book this is. The initial appeal is that it is historical fiction for children (publisher recommendation ages 8-12), set in London in 1777 when King George III reigned. Don't see many books for and about children in this period.
Perhaps the most interesting feature is the two central characters, Lizzie and Belle, are both historical figures who were brought up together, historically they were second cousins. The prologue explains how Belle was the daughter of a naval officer and an enslaved African Black woman, and after her mother's death she was brought to England to be raised by an aristocratic family in a stately home. This was quite remarkable for the times and would make a great story in itself. However, the fictionalised tale has the two girls solving crime in an exciting mystery.
The prologue also sets out to explain the main theme as family, friendship and freedom. It is clearly written and appropriate for the age group, but it also quite a gripping story, written in the first person. It considers issues such as slavery, the Abolitionists movement, illegitimacy and social class. The story centres around a stolen painting and art is a notable aspect in the book.
The actual physical book has a bright, colourful cover with a metallic shiny edging and lettering. Inside are illustrations and images of letters and decorated chapter headings, created by Simone Douglas. It's a good sized book for young people at just under five hundred pages, but the artwork breaks it up. This is the second book in The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries series and I'm sure there will be more to come. Suitable for children and adults alike.
Perhaps the most interesting feature is the two central characters, Lizzie and Belle, are both historical figures who were brought up together, historically they were second cousins. The prologue explains how Belle was the daughter of a naval officer and an enslaved African Black woman, and after her mother's death she was brought to England to be raised by an aristocratic family in a stately home. This was quite remarkable for the times and would make a great story in itself. However, the fictionalised tale has the two girls solving crime in an exciting mystery.
The prologue also sets out to explain the main theme as family, friendship and freedom. It is clearly written and appropriate for the age group, but it also quite a gripping story, written in the first person. It considers issues such as slavery, the Abolitionists movement, illegitimacy and social class. The story centres around a stolen painting and art is a notable aspect in the book.
The actual physical book has a bright, colourful cover with a metallic shiny edging and lettering. Inside are illustrations and images of letters and decorated chapter headings, created by Simone Douglas. It's a good sized book for young people at just under five hundred pages, but the artwork breaks it up. This is the second book in The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries series and I'm sure there will be more to come. Suitable for children and adults alike.
March 3, 2026
I read the first volume of the Lizzie and Belle Mysteries a few months ago, and I'm really glad I was able to check out the second volume. I generally prefer to read a series in the same format throughout, but I didn't have access to a print or ebook copy of Portraits and Poison at all, so I'm just glad the audiobook happened to be on Spotify so I could actually read it.
This was such a great follow up! The story is engaging and entertaining while still dealing with weighty issues like the first one did. Themes of feminism, antiracism, and the late 18th century movement to abolish slavery in England were informative, thought-provoking, and emotional. Lizzie and Belle's friendship is wonderful to read about. I also loved that we got to see this story from Belle's side while the first one was from Lizzie's point of view. I guessed a lot from the mystery aspect, but to be fair, I still very much enjoyed the ride, and the book is for middle graders.
Since I did this one as an audiobook, I can't comment on the illustrations, but the narrator did a great job bringing the characters to life.
The two books came out in fairly rapid succession and nothing has happened in the last few years, so I don't know if their is any chance of a continuation of the series at this point. The loose ends get tied up, another book isn't strictly "needed," but I would absolutely read more in the event that another book came out.
I definitely recommend checking this series out! It uses a fun, fictional mystery narrative to share great info about Black British history and brings real figures from Black British history to life.
This was such a great follow up! The story is engaging and entertaining while still dealing with weighty issues like the first one did. Themes of feminism, antiracism, and the late 18th century movement to abolish slavery in England were informative, thought-provoking, and emotional. Lizzie and Belle's friendship is wonderful to read about. I also loved that we got to see this story from Belle's side while the first one was from Lizzie's point of view. I guessed a lot from the mystery aspect, but to be fair, I still very much enjoyed the ride, and the book is for middle graders.
Since I did this one as an audiobook, I can't comment on the illustrations, but the narrator did a great job bringing the characters to life.
The two books came out in fairly rapid succession and nothing has happened in the last few years, so I don't know if their is any chance of a continuation of the series at this point. The loose ends get tied up, another book isn't strictly "needed," but I would absolutely read more in the event that another book came out.
I definitely recommend checking this series out! It uses a fun, fictional mystery narrative to share great info about Black British history and brings real figures from Black British history to life.
May 5, 2024
📚 The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Portraits and Poison 📚
Written by @j.t.williamswrites and illustrated by @simonedouglasillustration .
This is the second installment in the Lizzie and Belle Mysteries and after thoroughly enjoying the first book, I was keen to get my hands on this one!
In this book we follow from the perspective of Dido Belle giving an interesting change to the first book. This really helps the reader to develop an understanding of both main characters.
The mystery of the missing portrait is at the heart of this story, but as with the first Lizzie and Belle book I found myself learning so much about Black history. The plot of the story is fictional, however, the treatment of black people during this time period is not fictional. JT Williams has written it beautifully for a middle grade age group: not shying away from the brutal truths but writing them in an accessible way.
The illustrations throughout the book are fantastic. More middle grade books should be illustrated!!
Once again, I am left with many questions about Black history that I now need to go away and research. But this can only be a positive ❤️
A stunning read. Must be included in all Y5/6 classrooms.
Written by @j.t.williamswrites and illustrated by @simonedouglasillustration .
This is the second installment in the Lizzie and Belle Mysteries and after thoroughly enjoying the first book, I was keen to get my hands on this one!
In this book we follow from the perspective of Dido Belle giving an interesting change to the first book. This really helps the reader to develop an understanding of both main characters.
The mystery of the missing portrait is at the heart of this story, but as with the first Lizzie and Belle book I found myself learning so much about Black history. The plot of the story is fictional, however, the treatment of black people during this time period is not fictional. JT Williams has written it beautifully for a middle grade age group: not shying away from the brutal truths but writing them in an accessible way.
The illustrations throughout the book are fantastic. More middle grade books should be illustrated!!
Once again, I am left with many questions about Black history that I now need to go away and research. But this can only be a positive ❤️
A stunning read. Must be included in all Y5/6 classrooms.
June 15, 2023
A really fun and engaging middle grade mystery.
This is book 2 in a series. I jumped in here and was easily able to fall into the world of the characters and understand everything!
Lots of added complications on top of the missing painting. I liked that the stakes were so high.
It's set during the period of slavery abolishment and I appreciated how this wasn't the main thread to the storyline, but neither was it overlooked. It was included just enough for readers to understand being Black in this historical period is difficult and affects the characters actions, without making this a brutal slavery narrative. The balance was handled so well and made it a suitable read for children.
I really liked the friendship in this one.
There were two moments with people held at gunpoint which felt unnecessary? It could've been a different kind of weapon. Not sure how I feel about guns in MG books yet...
This is book 2 in a series. I jumped in here and was easily able to fall into the world of the characters and understand everything!
Lots of added complications on top of the missing painting. I liked that the stakes were so high.
It's set during the period of slavery abolishment and I appreciated how this wasn't the main thread to the storyline, but neither was it overlooked. It was included just enough for readers to understand being Black in this historical period is difficult and affects the characters actions, without making this a brutal slavery narrative. The balance was handled so well and made it a suitable read for children.
I really liked the friendship in this one.
There were two moments with people held at gunpoint which felt unnecessary? It could've been a different kind of weapon. Not sure how I feel about guns in MG books yet...
November 3, 2023
I loved Drama and Danger so tripped back to 1777 with Lizzie and Belle!
Lizzie and Belle have a portrait commissioned but it's stolen so the girls set off with their sleuthing skills to see whodunnit! They might also be able to help a friend.
This was another solid read from JT Williams. Like book 1 highlighted the atrocities committed against black people at this time, this book presented the difficulties that were faced and also misogyny and corruption. It felt like this book was darker and really pulled on my heartstrings.
'People not property.'
I could read book after book with Lizzie and Belle in this time period.
Lizzie and Belle have a portrait commissioned but it's stolen so the girls set off with their sleuthing skills to see whodunnit! They might also be able to help a friend.
This was another solid read from JT Williams. Like book 1 highlighted the atrocities committed against black people at this time, this book presented the difficulties that were faced and also misogyny and corruption. It felt like this book was darker and really pulled on my heartstrings.
'People not property.'
I could read book after book with Lizzie and Belle in this time period.
August 23, 2026
This was good for a middle grade mystery, but I felt like it could still have been better.
Lizzie and Belle are unlikely friends that enjoy solving mysteries. Their families decide to celebrate a friendship with a painting. But on the night of the unveiling, the painting is stolen. Can they find the painting and figure out who stole it and why?
The story could have been a little more focused, and that would have made it a little better. There was a little too much going on.
This is a book that you can read or skip.
Lizzie and Belle are unlikely friends that enjoy solving mysteries. Their families decide to celebrate a friendship with a painting. But on the night of the unveiling, the painting is stolen. Can they find the painting and figure out who stole it and why?
The story could have been a little more focused, and that would have made it a little better. There was a little too much going on.
This is a book that you can read or skip.
June 24, 2023
The second in J. T. Williams’s historical mystery series for readers aged 8+ sees Dido narrate another solid central mystery with a wide array of suspects set against the background of the Abolitionist struggle. Simone Douglas’s illustrations atmosphere and I liked the incorporation of actual people from history (including Jane Harry) but the use of Dido and Lizzie themselves still makes me uneasy, especially as the sense of period drops at times.
March 25, 2024
OMG! This was even better than the first one! I loved being back with Lizzie and Belle again. I loved how it changed over to being written from Belles point of view. I just felt that it was constant mystery and activity throughout. I know I’ve read a good book when my husband has to tell me I’m making loads of noise during my reactions.
April 27, 2025
as with the previous book the art work is stunning and the writing is easy to follow, the characters are endearing and the villians are well described .reading this novel was fast paced while it is fiction with many rarely spoken truths regarding the horror that people of colour where forced to endure ....these books need reading for us to learn to be better !!!
July 9, 2026
Read this with our Sylvie.
Seemed a bit contrived, with 2 black teenage girls solving crimes in the 1700s (i think it was), and real historical figures like Gainsborough being drawn into it - presumably his involvement wasn't built on fact - but it's heart was in the right place.
Far too much descriptive detail though.
Seemed a bit contrived, with 2 black teenage girls solving crimes in the 1700s (i think it was), and real historical figures like Gainsborough being drawn into it - presumably his involvement wasn't built on fact - but it's heart was in the right place.
Far too much descriptive detail though.
February 25, 2024
This is an amazingly written and very important story!
February 3, 2025
This book is really good because of the mystery and the morals behind it. I'd recommend it to ages 10-13
March 8, 2025
Highly recommended to children aged 9 to 12yrs.
March 12, 2025
I enjoyed reading this book- the characters of Lizzie and Belle are inspirational young women. The illustrations are also very nice.
September 8, 2025
I very much enjoyed the book and he told the history very well but not in an upsetting way. It was well put and enjoyed seeing how they worked out. He was behind the portraits stealing.
July 9, 2023
I love this series it’s great
September 3, 2024
4.25. What I loved most about this sequel was something I loved about its predecessor: the way Williams blends fictional mystery with real-world historical events. I will say that overall there was less of a mystery this time as the solution was presented relatively early, the plot evolving into an action-story format. But I still loved the realism and education that the chosen historical setting leant the story. This time, Williams illustrated racism in the concept of power portraits, portraits wealthy white people commissioned where they would be depicted alongside an enslaved person in order to show their own power and dominance. This was something I had briefly read about in David Olusoga’s Black and British: A Forgotten History, so I was grateful to read about it in greater detail here, especially as this story could give voice to the enslaved people in those portraits.
Williams also explored white rage/fragility, i.e. The reaction white people have to (specifically here) Black people enjoying freedom, self-determination, and success. This concept is at the root of the main and sub-mystery here, as well as being another reason behind white people commissioning power portraits: a retaliatory action to the progress of the rights of Black people at the time.
I do think that the character development in Belle could have been more distinct. I didn’t quite believe in how it all came together. There was such a clear set-up, but then it didn’t feel like Williams actively wrote towards the resolution in her character that appeared at the end. I did think one aspect was done well, however, which was how brave Belle came to be.
There were other elements I liked, too, and most of them are repeats from the first book. Amanda Bright, the audiobook narrator, did another great job here, despite the slightly dodgy Scottish accent she used for Lord Mansfield. The plot, while unfortunately less mysterious, was still engaging and pacey. Honestly this is such a stellar MG series and I wholeheartedly recommend it.
Williams also explored white rage/fragility, i.e. The reaction white people have to (specifically here) Black people enjoying freedom, self-determination, and success. This concept is at the root of the main and sub-mystery here, as well as being another reason behind white people commissioning power portraits: a retaliatory action to the progress of the rights of Black people at the time.
I do think that the character development in Belle could have been more distinct. I didn’t quite believe in how it all came together. There was such a clear set-up, but then it didn’t feel like Williams actively wrote towards the resolution in her character that appeared at the end. I did think one aspect was done well, however, which was how brave Belle came to be.
There were other elements I liked, too, and most of them are repeats from the first book. Amanda Bright, the audiobook narrator, did another great job here, despite the slightly dodgy Scottish accent she used for Lord Mansfield. The plot, while unfortunately less mysterious, was still engaging and pacey. Honestly this is such a stellar MG series and I wholeheartedly recommend it.
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