The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Drama and Danger: New for 2022, a mystery-filled detective story for children, perfect for fans of Robin Stevens!: Book 1

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It was great to read a historical novel for children where the main characters aren't white and middle class and the mystery/detective aspect made it really pacey and engaging. Once again it is up to the two girls to unveil the truth and put an end to the villainy that plagues the city.

Belle’s lonely existence in the big house with her grandparents is in great contrast to Lizzie’s busy home where her parents run a tea house, full of noise and political discussion.The age range it was reaching for was still present in the descriptions of characters and plot twists, but I liked it. There’s an absolute bumper crop of brilliant books out this summer, but my pick has to be the first in a brand new series, The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries by JT Williams (June, Farshore). I would definitely recommend this book to others as the mystery kept me coming back and the end didn’t disappoint! Woven into this compelling and exciting story are details about the perils of being a Black person in 18th century Britain, pre the abolition of slave trading. I am currently editing my first YA novel which I hope to be able to share with you all in the future.

Simone likes to share her love for environmental art, and bring life to characters within their worlds. There are one or two things which do not fit: for example daffodils and roses rarely flower at the same time, and at one point Lizzie is ‘standing as if about to give birth’, which seemed an odd phrase to use. It was a look at history through the eyes of young ladies who were close to my own age and thus grew my love of historical fiction.Lizzie’s father is almost killed and the girls feel it is their duty to find out who tried to kill him. Can Lizzie and Belle get to the bottom of what is going on in the theatrical setting of the era, and protect Lizzie’s father; or in fact can they even protect themselves.