It has taken me some time to get to this review – though not to the book itself (thank goodness it’s finally the holidays!). I absolutely loved the first in this series, in my mind it’s like a junior version of Cadfael :-). A. L. Tait has a lovely knack of putting her readers right in the midst of these alternate histories whether adventure or mystery and her characters are always so engaging. Maven and Reeve are first and foremost cautious allies as they work together to solve the current problem. This particular one I found even more intriguing than the first and I suspect this more convoluted plot device might continue – and good-oh! I say.
Maven and Reeve have accompanied their respective mistress and master – the Lady Cassandra and Sir Garrick – on an important visit to a remote Airl and his region. Upon their arrival they discover that the long-standing and respected cook has disappeared (and as it would be – kidnapped), that the Airl’s guard are very strange in their organisation indeed and the entire surrounds of Glawn Castle are not only inhospitable but dangerous. Maven knows that the Beech Circle’s reach extends as far as this isolated landscape and wastes no time in calling upon her sisterhood.
There is plenty of intrigue, red herrings and the (now expected) nastiness from Anice, Lady Cassandra’s cousin and Maven’s nemesis, all happily resolved by the intrepid pair who may be lowly ‘servants’ but are both smart and resourceful.
I know my kiddos love A. L. Tait’s books and this series is going to take off rapidly now with this second episode launched. I highly recommend it for your readers from around Year 5 upwards.
Here comes the indomitable Phyllis Wong again! Geoffrey McSkimming’s savvy young conjuror (who is also a superb mystery solver) is such a likeable character; no wonder then, that this series has taken off with so many young readers.
All the important characters from the earlier books including Phyllis’ trusty but eccentric sidekick, Clement and her pet police contact, Chief Inspector Barry Inglis, return along with some interesting new arrivals such as Orson Quilrose, procurer of antique and vintage photographs, and Detective Pinkie Chatterton (now there’s a familiar surname! I wonder…hmmmm).
In this new volume, Phyllis’ great-grandfather, the famous Wallace Wong, reappears in his Transiting travels and Phyllis learns of his special quest. For many decades WW has pursued the same mission, which is to discover the hidden refuge of Myrddin the most famous magician of all time. You may think if this wizard is so famed you might know his name – and you probably do, if we use one of the most well-known alternatives of Merlin.
Young Phyllis begins to piece together a quite remarkable history wherein her esteemed forebear mixes it up in the theatrical world with a very dubious and nasty ventriloquist, Alexander Sturdy. This latter is knocked off his perch by the debut of a rival, Hercule Perkus and his lifelike ‘dummy’ Jasper.
Revenge and long forgotten deeds come to the surface in a contemporary setting and the world at large is threatened by the villain Sturdy’s plans to sabotage an amazing development in technology.
With her customary aplomb, quick thinking and sharp judgements Miss Wong pieces together the disparate clues in the case and with the assistance of her friends and colleagues is once more placed to emerge triumphant.
This series is just delicious. Action, humour, a little reflection, excellent values – and good always trumps evil. I would highly recommend you adding this and the first two volumes to your collection if you have not already done so!! For capable readers of around 8/9 years and up.
And Oh My Goodness! just look at this!! From such a talented pair of creators!!
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