Category: mystery

The Blitz Next Door by Cathy Forde

9781782502036Pete has never even heard of Clydebank in Scotland, but when his dad finds a new job at last, Pete finds himself leaving his home in London overnight.
There are advantages to his new life, including a massive new bedroom and his first ever garden, complete with a real-life bomb shelter.
He’d even be ok with the sound of the girl next door crying all the time — except that there is no house next door…Pete makes two new friends: Dunny, who knows all about the Second World War, and Beth, the girl next door who somehow seems to come from it.
He slowly realises that Beth has returned from the 1940s for a reason.
But does Pete have the courage to step into the past to solve a mystery that’s over seventy years old?

It was a really good book because of all the characters. I loved the character Beth Winters. RW (S1) *****

The Piper by Danny Weston

piperHe who pays the piper calls the tune. When Peter and his little sister, Daisy, are evacuated from London to the countryside, they find themselves on an isolated farm in the middle of a treacherous marshland.
As Daisy gets drawn deeper into the secrets of their new home, Peter starts to realise that something very sinister is going on.
What is that music they can hear at night? And who are the children dancing to it?

Fabulous! It was the best book ever. AG (S1) *****

See How They Run by Ally Carter

See how they runGrace thought finding her mother’s killer would bring her peace.
But the truth has only made her a target. On Embassy Row, trust is a luxury. Death is a very real threat. And a girl like Grace should be very careful about which secrets she brings to light…

I thought this book was really good because it’s page turning. It makes you want to read more which I think books are meant to do. CS (S2) *****

White Dolphin by Gill Lewis

‘The white dolphin is a sign that Mum’s out there …’ When they first meet, Kara and Felix can’t stand each other. But on discovering an injured dolphin calf on the beach they know they must work together to save it. Now friends, they set out to find the truth behind the disappearance of Kara’s mother, and to protect the nearby reef.

 But powerful people don’t want them to succeed. And with the odds stacked against them, how can Kara and Felix make their voices heard?

 I thought it was an amazing book. I could read it again and again. I felt I was there the whole time.

LH (S2) *****

Keys by Grace Cavendish (Lady Grace Mysteries)

When the Court clockmaker, Mr Urseau, is found dead in his workshop – a dagger in his chest and a key clutched in his hand – rumours start flying. Was the murderer his young assistant? Or maybe his wife? Both could be after Urseau’s private treasure. And where is the key from? What is it for? Lady Grace, Queen Elizabeth’s own Lady Pursuiviant is determined to get to the bottom of all these questions. But things get even more complicated when Grace discovers that a mysterious clock was delivered to the palace on the day Urseau was killed.

I think this book would be very good for children. O.C. (S1) *****

Jinx by Grace Cavendish (Lady Grace Mysteries)

It’s the height of summer and the palace is full of ambassadors and ladies from the Spanish court. When a visit to the famous St Bartholomew’s fair is planned to entertain the guests, Grace jumps at the chance to get out for the day. Not everybody feels the same though and there’s a lot of superstition amongst the ladies about the gypsies, fortune tellers and herbal medicine that will be at the fair. When a mysterious fire at the fair leaves Lady Sarah injured and a gypsy woman dead, it seems the ladies were right to be worried. But was the fire started on purpose? And can Grace get to the bottom of this mystery?

I would recommend this book. It is a really good book. O.C. (S1) ***

Feud by Grace Cavendish (Lady Grace Mysteries)

There is much excitement at court as the famous painter Levina Teerlimc arrives to paint the Queen’s portrait. The Maids of Honour are recruited to help entertain the Queen during the sittings, and to pose for the painter whilst the Queen is busy. They love being in the studio but have to beware as deadly arsenic is used in one of the paints! One of Lady Grace’s fellow Maids of Honour, Carmina, begins to act rather strangely – she seems confused and always tired. Her family has recently been involved in a feud with another noble family after her father was killed in a jousting tournament – is it possible that Carmina is being poisoned? Could the painter or her assistant be involved? Can Grace solve the mystery and discover the truth behind the strange happenings at Court?

Interesting. Good words. Amazing. E.B. (S1) ****

Gold by Grace Cavendish (Lady Grace Mysteries)

Preparations for the wedding of one of Lady Grace’s fellow Maids of Honour are interrupted when a shipment of gold, on its way to the Queen, is stolen! The culprit is a single masked horseman, all in black – or is it a gang of ruffians from the forest? The clues seem to point in several different directions.

Very good; entertaining; exciting. E.B. (S1) *****

Conspiracy by Grace Cavendish (Lady Grace Mysteries)

Lady Grace and her fellow Maids of Honour are travelling with the Queen and the rest of the Court on their summer Progress. It should be lots of fun but Grace can’t help worrying about a series of accidents that have befallen the Queen. Was it just coincidence that she fell off her horse in the same day that a statue tumbled in the garden and almost hit her? Grace, the Queen’s Lady Pursuivant, investigates just who could be behind these accidents – is there a conspiracy at work? Could the Queen’s one true Love, the Earl of Leicester, be involved, or perhaps her trusted advisor, Lord Cecil. And surely her latest suitor, the dashing Swedish prince, wouldn’t be attempting to murder his potential bride? Another fantastic romp through Elizabethan England, with the indomitable Grace at the fore.

I think this is a really great book. I would recommend it. Secondary school kids would enjoy it. O.C. (S1) ****

Exile by Grace Cavendish (Lady Grace Mysteries)

There’s a new arrival – a mysterious and exotic young princess – at court and Lady Grace can’t believe how many rumours there are about her already. The exiled Banoo Yasmine from Sharakand possesses the Heart of Kings Ruby – a huge stone that she wears around her neck. When the jewel goes missing, the finger is pointed at Grace’s friend Ellie.

This book is a really good book for children, teenagers and adults. I think this book should be rated 10 out of 10. I highly recommend it.  E.B. (S1) *****