Synopsis from 

I have just recently ventured back into the world of children’s books and before you just think, Nah! Children’s books aren’t for me just bear with me for a moment and let’s put the “children” label aside.

I will not pretend to know what you all look for in a novel. However I will tell you this, my main requirement is that I have to be entertained. If I am not entertained, it is a deal breaker! And I fully enjoyed the ride that was “The Mystery of The Clockwork Sparrow”.

Are you a fan of Mystery or Thrillers? Well, this book has it.

Do you like YA? It has it too. It even has a nice historical setting that will take you away from your reality but for a moment. And all this is even before we get to meet the characters!!!

Now, let me tell you a little bit about Sophie Taylor, the young lady this story is centred around.  The words “wrong place, wrong time” pretty much sums it up. It is bad enough she has been made an orphan, but she now has to fend for herself and grow into a “wise beyond her years” young lady if she wants to overcome whatever life is throwing at her.

Sophie unfortunately finds herself right in the middle of a plot to rob a luxurious collection of items currently displayed at “Sinclair’s”, her place of employment. On the verge of losing everything as well as her reputation she now takes on the task, with a few well-chosen allies, of not only clear her name but also to bring the guilty to justice.

Sounds like an adventure to you? That’s because it is. And yet, I feel that although categorised as a children’s read, any adult will have a hard time not to enjoy this story.

It is also very well written and has been researched in-depth. The author has created very rich characters with their complexities and placed them in an Edwardian setting brought to life by very carefully detailed descriptions while remaining true to the to the defining moments of that time, be it opulence, poverty and even impending war.

One of my favourite moments in the book, involves a key, a door and a newspaper. Very good trick I would have never thought about!

And I will leave it at that.

LaChouett

Thanking the team at Egmont Publishing for providing me with a copy of this novel.