Age(s): 10-14 years
Pages: 320
Size: 5 x 7 3/4
Format: paperback
Series: The Sinclair's Mysteries
Author: Katherine Woodfine

From England

This detective series is set in an Edwardian department store owned by an enigmatic New York millionaire. The adventure begins with the theft of the priceless clockwork sparrow! It's up to fast friends and bold heroines, Miss Sophie and Miss Lilian, to crack codes, devour iced buns and bring the villains to justice...

Left penniless when her father dies, Sophie is pleased to find a job at Sinclair's, soon to be London's largest and most glamorous department store. There, she makes friends with Billy a junior porter and beautiful Lil, who is one of the department store "manikins" by day and an aspiring actress by night.

Once again our heroines, Sophie and Lil are on the case, donning cunning disguises and mingling in high society, leading them straight to London's most dangerous criminal mastermind.

About the Author:
Katherine Woodfine is a British children's author living in London. Woodfine is the former Arts Project Manager at Booktrust where she project-managed the Children's Laureateship and worked on other children's book prizes and initiatives, including YALC 2014, the UK's first Young Adult Literature Convention. She has reviewed and recommended children's titles online, in print and on the radio as part of the founding team at Down the Rabbit Hole, a monthly radio show that discussing children's literature.

I can't put it down
Girl detectives are on the case in London. Good plot twists! Reminds me of Nancy Drew. Confession- I'm 39 and loved this book! Read it to check for appropriate content before my teenager gets it.

Orange Marmalade
Fast-paced, with a bit of an old-fashioned sensibility in the dialogue in keeping with their Edwardian time period, these will make excellent reads especially for younger girls who zip through books like a hot knife in butter. Advanced readers as young as 9 could enjoy these, as well as middle-graders and up who are looking for a mystery-adventure that's not overly-dark.
Orange Marmalade

Historical Novel Review, Issue 79
… this is a fun, fast-paced story with enjoyable characters and a delightful mystery. I would definitely read more of this series. Even though I did not read Book 1, I had no trouble enjoying this book. I would recommend it for readers young and old!