This is the Last book of the Sally Lockhart Tales, which most curiously, I started FIRST. This may make little sense, but I started this book having no idea (at first) that this was the very last one. I quickly ordered in the others, feeling rather foolish at my mistake. However, I found my fingers fumbling through the pages of 'Tiger' at alarming speed. This was indeed an adventure of heart-thumping suspense,that HAD to be read despite fears of strong spoilers.

Sally is a strong female, successful, sassy, with financial independence, friends and family (oh, pardon me, this story takes place in 19th century England) whose luck in life takes a sudden horrible plunge when a stranger makes painfully elaborate plans to steal Sally Lockhart's daughter away from her.

I would dub this as a 'modern day Dickens' novel, if the term didn't sound so hammy. But this best describes the writing style of the book. The characters are seeping with social conscience, heart and emotions that tumble out effortlessly. Pullman provides excellent descriptions of life in Victorian England, making the world the characters inhabit fresh and real.

Sally's struggle is heartbreaking and we, as readers, can recognise her fears all too well. I imagine the weight of Sally's loss (of her money, life, friends, family) would be more strongly felt if I had read her previous adventures--however, the narrative does a good job at not making the reader feel isolated. This can be pretty much a standalone tale. It is aimed at a mature audience, and while it tears horribly at the heartstrings and shows a darker side of 19th century London--the writing is never distasteful or shocking.

Lesser known than 'His Dark Materials' but just as blindingly brilliant. ( )

Well, this wrapped up the Sally Lockhart trilogy nicely. Sally was consistently strong-willed throughout all three. I really liked that Pullman finally showed her more vulnerable and emotional than ever before. I missed Jim throughout most of the book just as Sally missed him.I was also glad to learn a bit about the pogroms in Russia. I didn't know about this part of Jewish/Russian history. After reading this book, and Spook Country not too long ago, I'm thinking maybe I should read a book on Russian history. ( )

Engaging mystery involving Sally Lockhart who finds herself threatened with divorce proceedings to a man she never married and the abduction of her daughter. She finds allies in a Hungarian Jewish reporter who is investigating the same man. Sally goes undercover to find the person behind all this is an old enemy. ( )

I may be an adult but at times reading this I was scared as to the possible outcome for Sally and Harriet, which makes this an amazing read. This is a very dark tale, with lots of social commentary, which works within the plot and adds lots of historical colour. Highly recommended. ( )

Good finish to the series. Could have used a bit of editing though. ( )