The Adventure Continues.....

Katherine Woodfine’s 'The Mystery of the Jewelled Moth' embroils the fabulous foursome in their second adventure and builds a stronger relationship between the four friends who are now willing to risk their safety for each other. Like the first book in the series which I reviewed in my previous post, this too has a beautiful cover: a silver-embossed one this time! The story is sprinkled with more of the winsome illustrations that adorned the first book and peppered with quaint etiquette excerpts. 

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The action takes place in the East End of London where young Mei resides in China Town. She has grown up listening to her grandfather’s stories about the English rogue who stole the Moonbeam Diamond from an ancient temple in China. Her family are the guardians of the Diamond and her grandfather regrets not being able to restore the diamond to its rightful place in the temple. Meanwhile, a lot of debutantes are visiting Sinclair’s and among them is Veronica Whiteley, an heiress to nothing less than a diamond mine!  She hires Lilian and Sophie to find a stolen broach, the Jewelled Moth, gifted to her by an ardent admirer. 

Illustration from The Mystery of the Jewelled Moth by Julia Sarda

http://katherinewoodfine.co.uk/mystery-jewelled-moth/

When Mei, her brother Song, and our quartet of Lilian, Sophie, Billy, and Joe cross paths, they resolve to find the missing broach only to find the Baron behind it all. The Baron retains his anonymity all through and while the second book does bring to light some astonishing connections between him and Sophie, we are yet to discover his true identity. How is the Baron connected to Sophie? Who is he? Will we ever find out? Not till late in the series, am guessing.

Braveheart Sophie with her grace reminds me of a much-loved character Sara Crewe from ‘A Little Princess’ who dealt with difficult circumstances in a similar spirit. Lilian with her derring-do attitude is often a catalyst that plunges the friends right in the thick of action. Aspiring detective Billy with his knowledge of ciphers, code-breaking, and detection practices provides the voice of reason. Joe has had the toughest time of all and yet struggles honorably to rise above his fears and prove his commitment to his friends.  

This new series- warm, humorous, and engrossing- with two dauntless Lady Detectives at the helm ably supported by their clever and brave male companions in all they do, is truly a very pleasurable trip down memory lane! Those long summer days spent embroiled in enthralling adventures and intriguing mysteries. I so need to know who the Baron is! Can’t wait for Sophie and Lil’s next adventure which promises to be out in early 2017.