The Clockwork Sparrow

This is just the sort of book I would've loved as a middle schooler: a historical mystery with a courageous heroine and hints of future romance. As an adult, it feeds my delight in Edwardian-era Britain and a Mr. Selfridge- and The Paradise-driven hunger for Edwardian-era departments stores, in particular. I especially appreciate that the book's lone sensible adult applauds the heroine's ingenuity and intelligence and encourages her to pursue a career that makes the most of them, however unconventional that career might be.

His statement that she and her friend, Lil, make a great team is a little baffling, though. The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow definitely feels like Sophie's story, despite her friends' assistance in solving the show more mystery. Billy and Lil and Joe read more like stock characters than individuals in their own right, though Woodfine sketches in a bit of backstory and preferences for them, and while Lil is certainly an excellent friend, she's part of a larger team more than she's a partner. Perhaps this is a nod toward future books? Regardless, I'm looking forward to getting to know all of Sophie's friends better in the following volumes. show less

A solid three stars. I can't bring myself to four, as while I mostly enjoyed reading it, there was always a slight undercurrent of being-annoyed-it-wasn't-better. Two big strikes against it:

1., and this isn't its fault, it was described (in a Goodreads review, I think) as Nancy Drew in a department store. So I expected Sophie to be a Nancy surrogate, and do some sleuthing. Nope. She doesn't really start sleuthing until the 68% point (I'm reading on a Kindle), if you count eavesdropping as sleuthing, and her acquaintances Lil and Billy do most of the actual leg work. So then I wondered if Lil were the Nancy (or Billy), but really, there's no Nancy. The tone is simply Nancy Drew in a department store, with a similar breathless feeling, show more and the lack of worry that anything seriously damaging would happen to her, etc., that's the same. But there's no one single character who quite holds a candle to Ms. Drew, IMO. (I do like Lil for her own sake, but apparent main character Sophie's a wet blanket).

2., and this is absolutely the author's fault, this book sports perhaps the single worst example of what's called the "Exact Eavesdropping" trope I've ever come across. At one point the entire evil plan is discussed, in great detail, including all the bits the conspirators all should know (including phrases like "as you know, our evil plan is to ..." or similar enough), in a private theatre box, with the door open and a good guy standing outside, eavesdropping. I was flabberghasted! I have to assume the author wanted to celebrate this tired old chestnut by trotting it out one more time, but yikes, I just found it disappointing. (And it wasn't as if they knew there was a good guy outside and just wanted to tease, no, it was our protagonist's great good fortune to catch them mid-verbal reveal.)

Other than that, it was fun.

(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve! show less

Gosh! What can I say. The writing was sublime. And the descriptions of London and the store were magical. I wanted to be there! Secret tunnels, mysterious figures, showgirls, and beautiful hats and orphans, everything you need for the perfect mystery.
I loved this story, and only wished that it was longer. I really wanted to know more about her backstory, but maybe that's for another book.
I can recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction, and fashion, and a good old fashioned 'who done it'!

This mystery is set in London, in the early 1900's, in a fine new store reminiscent of early glamorous department stores like Selfridges. The main character is Sophie, a teenager who was recently hired to work in the millinery department. Sophie is ecstatic about her new job, because she is a poor orphan and needs the money, and because she considers Sinclair's to be a first-rate establishment. However, just before the grand opening of the store a robbery occurs and Sophie becomes a major suspect in the crime. Now, she must work with her new friends - Billy, a junior porter, and Lil, a living mannequin for the store's clothing - to discover who really stole the priceless Clockwork Sparrow, a precious piece of clockwork machinery and show more jewels.

The story was fine overall, and I'd say solid for a kid's mystery. As an adult reader, the twists and turns were not that surprising, but probably appropriate for an elementary audience. This book is the first in a series, and a bit of narrative went toward establishing the setting and the characters, no doubt to set the stage for future stories. The characters are sweet and engaging, and the setting is well realized. This is not one of those children's fiction books that transcends its genre and age group and rises into the realms of excellent storytelling, but it's a fun mystery for children, nonetheless. show less

This was a fun book. The characters seemed older than they were but maybe that's because of the time period. I really enjoyed the characters and I thought the mystery was well done. It was interesting to read about a high end department store opening for the first time. I think there was possibly one use of blasphemy but I can't remember for sure. There was a kidnapping. I would say this would be for older kids.

A perfectly enjoyable middle grade mystery series, set in a fictional department store in early 20th century London. I do love a perfectly enjoyable middle grade mystery series. And I certainly love fictional department stores in early 20th century London. On to the next installment.

This was a great little book, written for young adults, packed with adventure from start to finish. Set just after the Boer war and based loosely on stories from other big stores of the time Selfridges, Fortnum and Mason etc.
Sophie has been left alone after her beloved papa dies, and needs to get a job to keep herself, she gets one in Sinclairs, a brand new store opening in two weeks time. But things don't go well for Sophie from the start and after becoming involved unintentionally in a grand robbery her life is turned into a chaotic roller coaster, that she is not sure she will get out of! As things are stacked up against her left right and centre.
The story romps along at a fair pace leaving you wondering what will happen.
A really show more enjoyable read for young and old alike. show less