Reviews

The Ruby in the Smoke: A Sally Lockhart Mystery by Philip Pullman

tiggy1991's review against another edition

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

5.0

beccajoek's review against another edition

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3.0

this was a good quick read. pullman is very good at creating the characters but some of the story got lost i think. i will probably read the rest of the series.

jmitschke's review against another edition

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4.0

Oooh, I love a plucky and unconventional teen girl detective story (Sally Lockhart has good company in Nancy Drew and Veronica Mars).

hannah_stebbings's review against another edition

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dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

helenjanewakefield29's review against another edition

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4.0

4.5 stars - wonderful writing, as always from PP. engrossing story that tied off well and did not snooze in the middle. A master storyteller

bookcaseofdoom's review against another edition

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5.0

I loved this so much more than His Dark Materials - I hope the rest of this series is just as good as the first book.

If you love independent young women with unusual skills, a group of very different people who become as close as a family, a mystery spanning years and old England - this is for you.

jenniferdinsmore's review against another edition

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3.0

An easy and entertaining read!

shhilenceinthelibrary's review against another edition

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3.0

Great storytelling, description, and character development as always with Philip Pullman. Keeping it at 3* because there were too many characters for all to be fleshed-out properly; those who were (esp. Mrs Holland) were done well. Also the central mystery was pretty uncompelling, and the payoff was incredibly cheap and underbaked.

easefcik's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I read this series several times as a child and loved them. I’ve enjoyed the nostalgia of re-reading them as an adult. Pullman does a great job of emerging the reader in Victorian London, complete with the language and race politics of time.
4.5 because I’m bitter they lost Adelaide even though I know that will be important later in the series

meghan111's review against another edition

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3.0

I finally finished this! I downloaded it and started listening to it on the bus and it put me to sleep (literally). I checked out a copy and read a bit here and there - for me, it came together as an enjoyable read only at the end.