Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
This is the first in the "Sally Lockhart Mysteries" series concerning a quiet, reserved young girl as she attempts to unravel the mystery of her father's death. Set in Victorian England, this short novel is populated with a colourful cast of characters: cheeky cockney Jim, the sinister Mrs Holland, a noble photographer and his outspoken sister.
With their help, Sally gets suck into and then attempts to uncovers the mystery of a coded message she receives from her father and races against time to discover the secret of a priceless ruby and just why so many people have died because of it.
Sally is quite a fascinating character, far from being what is now a stereotype of a surprisingly emancipated woman, is practical, strong yet vulnerable at the same time. No big social issues are covered here and this makes a refreshing change amongst the wealth of historical fiction and relies on telling a good story that keeps you guessing until the end. Although aimed at young adults, this will also appeal to fans of Victorian mystery writers such as Arthur Conan Doyle.
A bit short at a shade over 200 pages but a cracking lazy weekend read. There was a TV adaptation a few years back starring Billie Piper as Sally, Matt Smith as Jim and Julie Walters as Mrs Holland.
See more book reviews at my blog
With their help, Sally gets suck into and then attempts to uncovers the mystery of a coded message she receives from her father and races against time to discover the secret of a priceless ruby and just why so many people have died because of it.
Sally is quite a fascinating character, far from being what is now a stereotype of a surprisingly emancipated woman, is practical, strong yet vulnerable at the same time. No big social issues are covered here and this makes a refreshing change amongst the wealth of historical fiction and relies on telling a good story that keeps you guessing until the end. Although aimed at young adults, this will also appeal to fans of Victorian mystery writers such as Arthur Conan Doyle.
A bit short at a shade over 200 pages but a cracking lazy weekend read. There was a TV adaptation a few years back starring Billie Piper as Sally, Matt Smith as Jim and Julie Walters as Mrs Holland.
See more book reviews at my blog
Just shy of 100 days, it took me 99 to get through this pocket-sized, 209 page book. It was slow to develop, the plot failed to hold my interest, and the ending seemed weak. Overall, I was very disappointed with this book, particularly as I have enjoyed much of Pullman’s other work, and am glad to be finally moving on to read something else.
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I like Philip Pullman. He has a nice "turn of phrase". I especially liked, "The room was full of a pompous masculine atmosphere of cigar smoke, leather, dark mahogony, silver inkwells, drawers with brass handles, and glass paperweights". I also liked, "Presently, there shuffled in, preceded by the smell of boiled cabbage and old cat, the owner of the house... She crowed and led the way into a tiny parlor, where the smell of old cat had been left to gain depth and maturity. I really liked the Golden Compass triology and I want to read the other Sally Lockhart books.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Re-Read for book club Nov 2020. I will lead the discussion. Just as good as when I read it as a kid. Can't wait to go back and read the rest of the series again. I remember liking The Tin Princess a lot.
adventurous
mysterious
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:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No