Review: The Black Lotus by Kieran Fanning

The Black Lotus by Kieran Fanning introduces three kids with extraordinary abilities. Brazilian Ghost can turn himself invisible; Irish Cormac can run incredibly quickly; and American Kate can communicate with animals. The mysterious one-eyed Makoto turns up and recruits each one of them, a bit like the mysterious one-eyed Nick Fury turned up to recruit… Read More

Clockwork Sparrow

Review: The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow by Katherine Woodfine

The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow by Katherine Woodfine is a splendid period adventure, set in London not long before the First World War. Sophie Taylor is facing a new beginning. Orphaned and impoverished, she’s about to start her new job at Simpson’s, the brand-new luxury department store that’s opening in Piccadilly. (Simpson’s is a… Read More

Review: The Thieves of Ostia by Caroline Lawrence

The Thieves of Ostia is the first in Caroline Lawrence’s Roman Mysteries series. The greatest mystery of this book is: how on Earth did it take me so long to read it? Historical fiction? Great! Child detectives? Right up my street. Set in Ancient Rome? I studied Classics at university, for goodness’ sake! It would… Read More