Reviews

Drama and Danger by J.T. Williams

emmasbookishcorner's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

4.0

girlreading's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

4.5* A brilliantly written, action packed and exciting 1700's detective adventure story told through a perspective and voice rarely explored in fiction during this time, let alone children's fiction, two young Black girls. Perfect for fans of the Murder Most Unladylike series, Drama and Danger is a gripping riveting mystery that will have its readers hooked and desperate for more from its courageous and gutsy young protagonists. This is the start of what I anticipate will be a fabulous new middle grade mystery series. Not only are Lizzie, Belle and Lizzie's family endearing, determined and lovable but the historical aspect of the book brilliantly introduces its readers to Black British history, specifically in this case the British slave trade. J.T. Williams discussed her reasoning behind taking a few artistic liberties with the historical figures featured in her authors note, which I urge readers to take a look at. 

Overall, this was a charming, engrossing and educational start to a new series I can't wait to keep reading.

i657's review

mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

chattie_the_mad_chatter's review

adventurous informative inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

A highly enjoyable mystery full of historical detail with two very different but engaging protagonists. 
Lizzie is the daughter of multi-talanted historical figure Ignatious Sancho, the first black man to vote in the UK. 
Lizzie comes from a busy family, who are warm hearted and lively. 
Dido Belle is the historical figure, who's portrait was painted she was a free black gentlewoman adopted by the Earl and Countess of Mansfield, Aunt and Uncle of her biological father. Her house is much calmer and quieter.
Both girls envy the other for aspects of their life and both have different skills for solving the case.
The use of the theatre is the backdrop to potential murder draws together are two protagonists who are determined to solve the case.

Enjoyable plot - fun addition 9f case notes throughout the book, important themes and lovable characters.

heidi13's review

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

bardicbramley's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

fern17's review

lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

avam22's review

adventurous funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

belbookandacuppa's review

adventurous challenging emotional informative mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

pattyspages's review

adventurous dark hopeful informative lighthearted mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

 "𝙈𝙖𝙢𝙖 𝙨𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙛 𝙬𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨, 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙙𝙤 𝙞𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙪𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙬𝙚 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙙𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩, 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙞𝙩 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩?
𝙐𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙜𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙛𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧" 

I am totally here for stories set in an alternate history where if you aren't a white man, you are still allowed to thrive. 
This is a great one for middle grade readers, especially as it mentions a lot of people from our actual history and could lead them to do their own factual research. (Lizzie Sancho / Dido Belle)

I think this book offers a fantastic balance of mystery and historical scrutiny/consideration and has a wonderfully modernised Gerogian feel to it. 
It's a very fun, fast paced, witty and inspiring read and I understand why it is a series.