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London Murder Mysteries #1
The Montgomery Murder
In the mean streets of Victorian London lies the body of wealthy Mr Montgomery.
The police must move fast to catch his killer. They need an insider, someone streetwise, cunning, bold . . . someone like Alfie.
When Inspector Denham makes him an offer he can’t refuse, it’s up to Alfie and his gang to sift clues, shadow suspects and negotiate a sinister world of double-dealing and danger – until the shocking truth is revealed...
The police must move fast to catch his killer. They need an insider, someone streetwise, cunning, bold . . . someone like Alfie.
When Inspector Denham makes him an offer he can’t refuse, it’s up to Alfie and his gang to sift clues, shadow suspects and negotiate a sinister world of double-dealing and danger – until the shocking truth is revealed...
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
48 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
About the author
Cora Harrison
90 books218 followersCora Harrison worked as a headteacher before she decided to write her first novel. She has since published twenty-six children's novels. My Lady Judge was her first book in a Celtic historical crime series for adults that introduces Mara, Brehon of the Burren. Cora lives on a farm near the Burren in the west of Ireland.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 2, 2020
My three-word description of
The Montgomery Murder
by
Cora Harrison
is suspenseful, entertaining and intriguing.
Book Synopsis:
In the mean streets of Victorian London lies the body of wealthy Mr Montgomery.
The police must move fast to catch his killer. They need an insider, someone streetwise, cunning, bold . . . someone like Alfie.
When Inspector Denham makes him an offer he can’t refuse, it’s up to Alfie and his gang to sift clues, shadow suspects and negotiate a sinister world of double-dealing and danger – until the shocking truth is revealed...
My Musings:
I found this a compelling and hugely entertaining story. A group of four boys, one girl and a loyal dog embark upon an adventure to solve a murder mystery, out-witting adults in the process. Set in 1858, in Victorian London, the vivid descriptions of the sounds and smells of that era really bring this story to life. In this young adult mystery, the harsh realities for the poverty-stricken are skilfully woven throughout the story: the begging, stealing, selling and entertaining to raise money.
There are a number of people who might have wanted to murder the victim, Mr Montgomery, and each have their own reasons. The Montgomery Murder is a fabulous, action-packed tale of suspense, which, though it is aimed at young readers, has plenty to offer older readers as well. I liked that Cora Harrison delivered very strong characters in this novel, all of whom were portrayed realistically and were very engaging.
Verdict:
Overall, I'd highly recommend this enjoyable historical mystery. Would I read the next book in the series? For sure, I would and I have already requested a copy of The Deadly Fire (The London Murder Mysteries #2).
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Sapere Books via NetGalley at my request, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
Book Synopsis:
In the mean streets of Victorian London lies the body of wealthy Mr Montgomery.
The police must move fast to catch his killer. They need an insider, someone streetwise, cunning, bold . . . someone like Alfie.
When Inspector Denham makes him an offer he can’t refuse, it’s up to Alfie and his gang to sift clues, shadow suspects and negotiate a sinister world of double-dealing and danger – until the shocking truth is revealed...
My Musings:
I found this a compelling and hugely entertaining story. A group of four boys, one girl and a loyal dog embark upon an adventure to solve a murder mystery, out-witting adults in the process. Set in 1858, in Victorian London, the vivid descriptions of the sounds and smells of that era really bring this story to life. In this young adult mystery, the harsh realities for the poverty-stricken are skilfully woven throughout the story: the begging, stealing, selling and entertaining to raise money.
There are a number of people who might have wanted to murder the victim, Mr Montgomery, and each have their own reasons. The Montgomery Murder is a fabulous, action-packed tale of suspense, which, though it is aimed at young readers, has plenty to offer older readers as well. I liked that Cora Harrison delivered very strong characters in this novel, all of whom were portrayed realistically and were very engaging.
Verdict:
Overall, I'd highly recommend this enjoyable historical mystery. Would I read the next book in the series? For sure, I would and I have already requested a copy of The Deadly Fire (The London Murder Mysteries #2).
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Sapere Books via NetGalley at my request, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
March 29, 2019
‘It was a foggy evening in late November.’
A man lies dead in a Victorian London street. A young lad, Alfie, is apprehended stealing a loaf of bread. Who killed the man? What will happen to the lad?
The dead man is Mr Montgomery, a wealthy man. He’s been garrotted, and Inspector Denham of the Bow Street Police Station is keen to find out why and by whom as quickly as possible. He sees Alfie, as he’s taken to the Bow Street Police Station and thinks that (perhaps) Alfie can help. He quickly establishes that Alfie is both local and streetwise and knows the St Giles district where Mr Montgomery’s body was found. The police need someone who can easily (and not obviously) access the slums of St Giles and Alfie fits the bill perfectly.
And so begins an action-packed story which, while it is aimed at young readers, has plenty to offer to older readers as well.
Alfie is a survivor. He looks after his brother Sammy, their cousins Jack and Tom, and their faithful dog Mutsy, trying hard to keep a roof over their heads and food in their mouths. Ms Harrison depicts Victorian London vividly: the sights, sounds and smells as well as the hardships for the poor.
‘Usually, if you took a chance, something turned up.’
But there’s danger ahead for Alfie and his gang. There are several people who may have wanted to murder Mr Montgomery, and others who might be convenient scapegoats. And there are those who would murder anyone who gets in their way. Sarah (who works as a scullery maid in the Montgomery house) is another wonderful character.
Ms Harrison provides plenty of detail about the squalid conditions in which the poor lived and reminds us that the poor did not enjoy the luxury of childhood. There are a few twists in the tale, and quite a bit of suspense, as Alfie and his gang try to identify the murderer.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Sapere Books for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
A man lies dead in a Victorian London street. A young lad, Alfie, is apprehended stealing a loaf of bread. Who killed the man? What will happen to the lad?
The dead man is Mr Montgomery, a wealthy man. He’s been garrotted, and Inspector Denham of the Bow Street Police Station is keen to find out why and by whom as quickly as possible. He sees Alfie, as he’s taken to the Bow Street Police Station and thinks that (perhaps) Alfie can help. He quickly establishes that Alfie is both local and streetwise and knows the St Giles district where Mr Montgomery’s body was found. The police need someone who can easily (and not obviously) access the slums of St Giles and Alfie fits the bill perfectly.
And so begins an action-packed story which, while it is aimed at young readers, has plenty to offer to older readers as well.
Alfie is a survivor. He looks after his brother Sammy, their cousins Jack and Tom, and their faithful dog Mutsy, trying hard to keep a roof over their heads and food in their mouths. Ms Harrison depicts Victorian London vividly: the sights, sounds and smells as well as the hardships for the poor.
‘Usually, if you took a chance, something turned up.’
But there’s danger ahead for Alfie and his gang. There are several people who may have wanted to murder Mr Montgomery, and others who might be convenient scapegoats. And there are those who would murder anyone who gets in their way. Sarah (who works as a scullery maid in the Montgomery house) is another wonderful character.
Ms Harrison provides plenty of detail about the squalid conditions in which the poor lived and reminds us that the poor did not enjoy the luxury of childhood. There are a few twists in the tale, and quite a bit of suspense, as Alfie and his gang try to identify the murderer.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Sapere Books for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
May 8, 2021
A fun and welcome entertaining respite involving children as amateur sleuths in Victorian London. Reminds me of the 1985 movie ~ The Goonies by Steven Spielberg.
May 29, 2024
An entertaining read, with memorable characters.
June 27, 2019
This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"Harrison does an excellent job weaving in the history of the orphaned children during the Victorian Age. She paints a vivid picture of the hardships and the lives that the poor children endured"
Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs
"Harrison does an excellent job weaving in the history of the orphaned children during the Victorian Age. She paints a vivid picture of the hardships and the lives that the poor children endured"
March 9, 2019
I volunteered to review books for Sapere Books and this book is one of the first they recommended. I don't read much in the way of young adult fiction but I must admit this book surprised me. The characters are well developed, the crime is somewhat brutal, the descriptions of Victorian London are very accurate, and the story itself is so well written that I found I couldn't put it down once I started reading.
The main character is Alfie. He's twelve going on thirty as he must take care of his younger blind brother, his two cousins, and a dog after the death of his parents. Living day to day on what meager funds they can raise doing odd jobs, singing on street corners, performing tricks with their dog, and occasionally stealing some bread when all else fails, Alfie has his hands full trying to pay the rent on their basement hovel as well as make certain everyone has something to eat. In spite of all this, Alfie is somewhat upbeat and tries to keep his little family together.
When Alfie is caught stealing some bread, he is taken to the Bow Street police station and the Inspector in charge recognizes something about Alfie that he can use to his advantage. Alfie is streetwise and intelligent. He can get information that the police couldn't. And helping to solve a horrific murder might be a way for the young boy to earn some money. After being taken to view the corpse, Alfie is able to tell the Inspector more about the victim than the police were able to determine and the Inspector offers him a job in return for a little cash and ignoring his bread thievery. It's dangerous work as Alfie and his gang get closer and closer to the murderer, and when one of the gang disappears, Alfie is frantic to solve this crime before someone he cares about dies.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and plan to read the other books in this series. Thank you, Sapere Books, for the recommendation.
The main character is Alfie. He's twelve going on thirty as he must take care of his younger blind brother, his two cousins, and a dog after the death of his parents. Living day to day on what meager funds they can raise doing odd jobs, singing on street corners, performing tricks with their dog, and occasionally stealing some bread when all else fails, Alfie has his hands full trying to pay the rent on their basement hovel as well as make certain everyone has something to eat. In spite of all this, Alfie is somewhat upbeat and tries to keep his little family together.
When Alfie is caught stealing some bread, he is taken to the Bow Street police station and the Inspector in charge recognizes something about Alfie that he can use to his advantage. Alfie is streetwise and intelligent. He can get information that the police couldn't. And helping to solve a horrific murder might be a way for the young boy to earn some money. After being taken to view the corpse, Alfie is able to tell the Inspector more about the victim than the police were able to determine and the Inspector offers him a job in return for a little cash and ignoring his bread thievery. It's dangerous work as Alfie and his gang get closer and closer to the murderer, and when one of the gang disappears, Alfie is frantic to solve this crime before someone he cares about dies.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and plan to read the other books in this series. Thank you, Sapere Books, for the recommendation.
March 10, 2019
This book has clearly been written by an author who understands young readers. It is aimed at key stage 2, ages 8-11 years and refreshingly, appeals to both boys as well as girls of that age.
It contains the time-honoured elements which make it a favourite with young readers. A group of four boys, one girl and a loyal dog embark upon an adventure to solve a murder mystery, out-witting adults in the process.
Set in Victorian London, the vivid descriptions of the sounds and smells of that era bring it to life. The London streets and districts are described with an accuracy which reflects the author's research, walking these streets, timing the distances between them. I was sceptical to read about night classes until I discovered that the Ragged Schools did indeed also operate at night.
The reality of life for London's poverty-stricken in Victorian times is woven into the story: begging, stealing, selling and entertaining to raise money. The luxury of childhood was denied to the poor; keeping a roof over their heads and securing food being the main occupation regardless of age.
Young readers will enjoy reading about drinking beer instead of the filthy contaminated water and delight in the details of the squalid conditions. It also appeals to their sense of justice. Suspects are given a chance to explain themselves and a stingy, rich lady gets her comeuppance when horse manure is splattered all over her.
There are a number of people who might have wanted to murder the victim. Each have their own reasons. There are also suspects who might be accused of the crime and have the task of proving their innocence at a time when the less fortunate did not have a voice in society.
A great tale of suspense.
It contains the time-honoured elements which make it a favourite with young readers. A group of four boys, one girl and a loyal dog embark upon an adventure to solve a murder mystery, out-witting adults in the process.
Set in Victorian London, the vivid descriptions of the sounds and smells of that era bring it to life. The London streets and districts are described with an accuracy which reflects the author's research, walking these streets, timing the distances between them. I was sceptical to read about night classes until I discovered that the Ragged Schools did indeed also operate at night.
The reality of life for London's poverty-stricken in Victorian times is woven into the story: begging, stealing, selling and entertaining to raise money. The luxury of childhood was denied to the poor; keeping a roof over their heads and securing food being the main occupation regardless of age.
Young readers will enjoy reading about drinking beer instead of the filthy contaminated water and delight in the details of the squalid conditions. It also appeals to their sense of justice. Suspects are given a chance to explain themselves and a stingy, rich lady gets her comeuppance when horse manure is splattered all over her.
There are a number of people who might have wanted to murder the victim. Each have their own reasons. There are also suspects who might be accused of the crime and have the task of proving their innocence at a time when the less fortunate did not have a voice in society.
A great tale of suspense.
April 8, 2019
I really enjoyed this story set in Victorian London. It was sad to see how the young children and servants were treated at that time, but would be a great learning experience for YA and adult readers alike.
This is a story that you won't want to put down once you have started reading. The characters are all very well-developed and the descriptions of the streets and houses in Victorian era were very true to the time.
A young boy, Alfie, left in charge of his blind brother and his cousins, ends up in police custody after trying to steal a loaf of bread for their supper. Fortunately, the police inspector recognizes his value as a spy on the streets and enlists him to help find the murderer. Alfie decides that the benefits of doing outweigh the risks and has the entire crew helping him.
This story is full of action, mystery, and intrigue. I will be looking forward to the rest of the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this story.
This is a story that you won't want to put down once you have started reading. The characters are all very well-developed and the descriptions of the streets and houses in Victorian era were very true to the time.
A young boy, Alfie, left in charge of his blind brother and his cousins, ends up in police custody after trying to steal a loaf of bread for their supper. Fortunately, the police inspector recognizes his value as a spy on the streets and enlists him to help find the murderer. Alfie decides that the benefits of doing outweigh the risks and has the entire crew helping him.
This story is full of action, mystery, and intrigue. I will be looking forward to the rest of the series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this story.
May 27, 2019
This book is a young adult mystery set in 1858 in London. Several poor orphans are drawn into solving a murder of a rich man who lived near their neighborhood. Alfie and his blind brother put their lives at risk to discover clues and figure out whodunit. While it wasn't very difficult to figure out whodunit (at least, for me), it was realistic that the kids didn't immediately figure it out. And then they had to prove it to get the reward (not to mention, to survive).
Historical details about what London was like at the time were woven into the story without slowing the fast pacing. Suspense was created by the danger to the children (since who would notice if a few poor orphans living on their own suddenly disappeared?). The characters acted realistically and were engaging. There was no sex. There were a couple using of "God" in a swearing sense. Overall, I'd highly recommend this enjoyable historical mystery.
Historical details about what London was like at the time were woven into the story without slowing the fast pacing. Suspense was created by the danger to the children (since who would notice if a few poor orphans living on their own suddenly disappeared?). The characters acted realistically and were engaging. There was no sex. There were a couple using of "God" in a swearing sense. Overall, I'd highly recommend this enjoyable historical mystery.
May 1, 2019
This is the first in the London Murder Mystery YA series set in the Victorian era. Alfie and his four friends, including the dog, are orphans turned amateur sleuths. In this mystery they are investigating the murder of a wealthy man.
It’s an entertaining tale with just the right amount of suspense, gore and action to appeal to younger readers, whilst adults should find it a quick, easy and engaging read. The main characters are instantly likeable and reminded me a little of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five! The sights and sounds of London are well described and give a good sense of time and place. It has an interesting plot which kept me turning the pages to find out ‘whodunnit’.
An enjoyable and fun read.
Thanks to Sapere Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
It’s an entertaining tale with just the right amount of suspense, gore and action to appeal to younger readers, whilst adults should find it a quick, easy and engaging read. The main characters are instantly likeable and reminded me a little of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five! The sights and sounds of London are well described and give a good sense of time and place. It has an interesting plot which kept me turning the pages to find out ‘whodunnit’.
An enjoyable and fun read.
Thanks to Sapere Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
June 13, 2021
The Montgomery Murder by Cora Harrison is a YA crime, set in Victorian London, and feels in the vein of The Baker Street Irregulars from Sherlock Holmes books.
Alfie is the leader, and he's the one who comes up with the plans for how they're going to pay the rent. When a vicious murder happens close to their home, and Alfie gets dragged into the police station, he soon strikes a deal to look into the murder, and to feed back what he finds!
This is very much a YA book, and so is a fun introduction to historical books for that young person you know!
The Montgomery Murder by Cora Harrison was published on 4th March 2019 and is available from Amazon and Waterstones.
You can follow Cora Harrison on her website .
I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Sapere Books.
Alfie is the leader, and he's the one who comes up with the plans for how they're going to pay the rent. When a vicious murder happens close to their home, and Alfie gets dragged into the police station, he soon strikes a deal to look into the murder, and to feed back what he finds!
This is very much a YA book, and so is a fun introduction to historical books for that young person you know!
The Montgomery Murder by Cora Harrison was published on 4th March 2019 and is available from Amazon and Waterstones.
You can follow Cora Harrison on her website .
I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Sapere Books.
December 28, 2024
🔖THE MONTGOMERY MURDER by Cora Harrison 4/5⭐️
- 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝙸𝙶: 𝚋𝚒𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚘.𝚟𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚊
“𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙨 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙜, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙞𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙇𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙣 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙡…”
The Montgomery Murder by Cora Harrison is a light historical mystery set in Victorian London. It follows Alfie, a mature and brave young leader, and his gang of street kids as they solve a murder. The characters are lovable, and Alfie’s leadership really stands out. Despite their tough lives, the gang shows a lot of heart and determination. 🕵️♂️❤️ The kids as amateur sleuths are fun to follow, and Mutsy, their dog, adds a lot of charm to the story. 🐕
It’s a great pick for anyone looking to dive into mysteries without the intensity of psychological thrillers. The book has a hopeful vibe, and I’d give it 4 stars for its charming and cute characters and also because of its engaging plot. 🌟📚
- 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝙸𝙶: 𝚋𝚒𝚋𝚕𝚒𝚘.𝚟𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚊
“𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙨 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙜, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙖𝙞𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙇𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙣 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙡…”
The Montgomery Murder by Cora Harrison is a light historical mystery set in Victorian London. It follows Alfie, a mature and brave young leader, and his gang of street kids as they solve a murder. The characters are lovable, and Alfie’s leadership really stands out. Despite their tough lives, the gang shows a lot of heart and determination. 🕵️♂️❤️ The kids as amateur sleuths are fun to follow, and Mutsy, their dog, adds a lot of charm to the story. 🐕
It’s a great pick for anyone looking to dive into mysteries without the intensity of psychological thrillers. The book has a hopeful vibe, and I’d give it 4 stars for its charming and cute characters and also because of its engaging plot. 🌟📚
December 26, 2020
The Montgomery Murder is the first in a series about a group of orphaned boys in Victorian-era London. Their life is tough, but they’re courageous and competent at fending for themselves. There’s lots of danger and suspense and some hair-raising moments, but they have the smarts and the persistence to solve a murder. The dynamics of the group, especially re the blind brother and the spoiled cousin, are very well done. It’s a YA, but it’s a satisfying read for an adult, too. I went on and read the next in the series, and it was also a great read.
May 23, 2019
Reviewing the book for Sapere Books - this is an enjoyable read
The book involved Alfie and his siblings who investigate a murder whilst trying to get by day by day with very little money trying to provide food and keep a roof over there heads. They have friends who help them get by
The book draws you in straight from the beginning with twists and turns along the way. So who did commit the murder .......
The book involved Alfie and his siblings who investigate a murder whilst trying to get by day by day with very little money trying to provide food and keep a roof over there heads. They have friends who help them get by
The book draws you in straight from the beginning with twists and turns along the way. So who did commit the murder .......
May 11, 2023
To the best cop in Bow Street!
A very good read, short in a good way with no extraneous padding, good dialogue, character development begins here and I'm looking forward to more (I've already downloaded the second book). Not overly heavy on suspects either, but I still didn't know which had done it until the gang solved it.
I'm not a young adult anymore but it took me back to when I used to read the three investigators so I would recommend for both young and older adults.
A very good read, short in a good way with no extraneous padding, good dialogue, character development begins here and I'm looking forward to more (I've already downloaded the second book). Not overly heavy on suspects either, but I still didn't know which had done it until the gang solved it.
I'm not a young adult anymore but it took me back to when I used to read the three investigators so I would recommend for both young and older adults.
March 10, 2019
Really enjoyed reading this book. It is well written and kept my interest all the way through. It is one of those books that grips you from page 1 and is hard to put down. Easily takes you into the era and you can identify with the characters. A good read for any age
September 23, 2024
I read this book before so this is a reread. Really like this book. Normally I don’t like YA. But this book is different than most I’ve read. I haven’t read the full series yet but I’m working on it. I’m on book 2 now.
July 13, 2019
Well written and captivating, enjoyable, not too long not too short, all round good read
February 11, 2020
I love how authentic this feels, with small details like not being able to drink the water, and the vulnerable positions the children are in relation to the various adults they interact with.
February 6, 2017
I saw this on the sale trolley at work in the library and i thought it looked good, i like things like Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars and this seemed to be of a similar ilk. However I didn't have time to read it right then and its sat on a pile for months. I just finished a coursework assignment and before diving into my next one i wanted to read something for pleasure, at only 240ish pages this was quite short and more or less guaranteed to be a quick read. And it was, I read it in one evening in about 2 and a half hours in fact!
Alfie looks after his brother Sammy who is blind, his dog Mutsy and his 2 cousins Tom and Jack, they rent a small cellar and earn money performing tricks on the street and doing odd jobs. Alfie is the brains of the group and the leader, but when a scheme to steal some bread goes wrong he finds himself in front of the inspector. With the prospect of jail or labour he worries who will be there to look after his family and so is pleasantly surprised when the inspector makes him a deal. A wealthy man, Mr Montgomery has been murdered and the police are scratching their heads, maybe Alfie could do a bit of detective work and solve the case. with access to back streets and maids working in the Montgomery house, Alife may just have what it takes to uncover the truth, but he has to move quick, the murderer is still out there and is desperate not to be found. As the risks mount up and danger lurks on Alfie's door he's running out of time to solve the case before someone else gets hurt and this time it might be someone he cares about.
I enjoyed the mystery and had a few guesses as to who the murderer was. Harrison has captured the feel of the time period and i felt myself walking round those old dreary streets in the fog. The characters aren't too detailed but enough to make you like them and know what they are about. It's a fairly simple read and very fast paced but perfect as a quick easy read. Great for budding young readers who want some adventure and good plot without too much detail.
I really enjoyed it and I may have to look up some of the other books in the series.
Alfie looks after his brother Sammy who is blind, his dog Mutsy and his 2 cousins Tom and Jack, they rent a small cellar and earn money performing tricks on the street and doing odd jobs. Alfie is the brains of the group and the leader, but when a scheme to steal some bread goes wrong he finds himself in front of the inspector. With the prospect of jail or labour he worries who will be there to look after his family and so is pleasantly surprised when the inspector makes him a deal. A wealthy man, Mr Montgomery has been murdered and the police are scratching their heads, maybe Alfie could do a bit of detective work and solve the case. with access to back streets and maids working in the Montgomery house, Alife may just have what it takes to uncover the truth, but he has to move quick, the murderer is still out there and is desperate not to be found. As the risks mount up and danger lurks on Alfie's door he's running out of time to solve the case before someone else gets hurt and this time it might be someone he cares about.
I enjoyed the mystery and had a few guesses as to who the murderer was. Harrison has captured the feel of the time period and i felt myself walking round those old dreary streets in the fog. The characters aren't too detailed but enough to make you like them and know what they are about. It's a fairly simple read and very fast paced but perfect as a quick easy read. Great for budding young readers who want some adventure and good plot without too much detail.
I really enjoyed it and I may have to look up some of the other books in the series.
June 10, 2021
A good book for when you are in a book slump. Short and quite entertaining. I picked this in a local bookstore that sells vintage books and I'm very happy to have read it.
September 8, 2020
I was surprised to find this book was already a decade old. It also seems to be labeled as an adult mystery, when it reads more like something meant for middle-grade children. With that in mind, I thought the book was well written and at a good length for kids ages 9-14. The plot was okay, but it wasn't thrilling and the mystery wasn't very captivating.
*Book received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
*Book received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
September 3, 2010
I found this book absalutley fantastic! I was reading it as a summer-reading challenge book!
April 15, 2012
not bad, going to try the rest in series, skimmed a bit but more my mood.
July 7, 2012
First part was really boring. Only exciting bit at the end. Read for school book club...
Would NOT recommend to any of my friends :)
Would NOT recommend to any of my friends :)
October 25, 2014
This is a great little read, with a good continuous plot. I highly recommend this as a quick read between books.
October 27, 2014
Good bit of churn. Nice story and not in any way challenging. For those times when you want a read without pretension.
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