The Ruby in the Smoke (1985)

Engrossing and vivid, with strong characters and a plot full of intrigue and action. I particularly enjoyed how Sally, who could've resigned herself to a life of being the poor downtrodden relative, firmly takes charge of her fate and helps unravel the mystery behind the gem of the title (and all its related deaths). ( )

This was the first Pullman book I read, and I loved it. I'm not sure how realistic a woman like Sally is in Victorian times, but I thought she was awesome anyway. And I had such a crush on Fred. ( )

I enjoyed this book a lot but can't recommend it. Well, I can recommend it alone but don't recommend reading any further in the trilogy. ( )

This young adult novel, opens with 16 year old Sally Lockhart visiting her deceased father’s shipping firm and accidentally causing one of his associates to die of a heart-attack when she ask him if he knows of the Seven Blessings. The phrase was on a piece of paper dictated by her father before his death and sent to her in secret. Believing that her life is in danger, Sally seeks to determine why her father died, who would like to see her dead, and where to find a mysterious ruby. The novel is set in Victorian London, and quickly Sally becomes entangled in a web of mystery involving murder, illegal opium trading, and a stolen ruby. She also meets a variety of characters along the way--both good and bad--including Frederick and his sister Rosa ( photographer and actress respectively) and Jim, a plucky office boy. Sally is a wonderful character--brave, smart, realistic and pragmatic. Lots of twists and turns keep the reader wanting more. 4 1/2 out of 4 stars. ( )

Sally Lockhart, recently orphaned, finds herself suddenly embroiled in a complicated plot wherein multiple people want to either kill her or save her. There are guns, and opium, and diaries, and shipwrecks, and over all it's a pretty good whodunit. A little confusing at times, sure, but full of delightfully memorable characters. ( )