Assessment:

Plot/Idea: A hodgepodge of Edwardian London kids from upstairs, downstairs, and around the corner work together to solve the mystery of what’s going on at townhouse number seven in this charming adventure, an installment in the Mysterious Mansions series. 

Prose: Hatt has a sparkling prose style that captures the beats of the historical era while maintaining energy and forward momentum. 

Originality: Hatt draws from classic capers to craft a lively, kid-centered, and lightly spooky mystery. Throw in a cute dog and bumbling adults, and this romp through important London landmarks is thoroughly enjoyable.

Character/Execution: Alice, Theo, and their East End companions prove to be fully-formed, magnetic characters who each play an integral role in the storytelling. The London setting comes to life via the well-described environs, both historic locales and mysterious nooks and crannies alike. 

 

Date Submitted: May 23, 2024