Name: The Clockwork Sparrow
Rating: 3.75 (16 reviews)
ISBN: 9781405276177

Katherine Woodfine

A glamorous department store, two plucky heroines, a priceless object, a shocking crime, and a truly perplexing mystery to be solved - all of this and more awaits readers of this sumptuous mystery-adventure, set in Edwardian London. "The Clockwork Sparrow" follows the adventures of recently orphaned Sophie, a shop girl at the newly opened Sinclair's Department Store in London. Just as she's settling into her new life, a priceless object is stolen, a young man is attacked, and Sophieis implicated in the crime. Perfect for upper middle-grade readers, and fans of Chris Riddell, Diana Wynne Jones, and Eva Ibbotson.

The Clockwork Sparrow

Kim Tyo-Dickerson

A middle grade British mystery series opener with the lovely poignancy of A Little Princess. Young Sophie has lost her home, fortune, and family when her father dies abroad. She is suddenly without prospects despite her upper class education and must find a way to fend for herself after the family seat and all its luxuries are sold. She lucks upon the opportunity to work as shop girl in the millinery department of an opulent new department store, Sinclair's, in London. There she finds herself out of step with the other working girls, her language too refined, her air too grand, her clothing too dressy, despite the fact that she is now as poor and vulnerable as any of them. 

With her courage and determination to survive constantly under pressure, Sophie struggles each day to do her best and avoid the gossip and sneering of the other shop girls. Just when she thinks she will never have another friend, she meets the gorgeous and goodhearted Lil, one of Sinclair's clothing models who quickly proves to be as kind as Sophie. Her daily tasks in the millinery department moving hat boxes too and fro bring Sophie into contact with a young porter-in-training Billy, who loves reading mystery stories and daydreaming, and who also becomes an ally in the whirlwind of preparations for Sinclair's grand opening. After a windfall comes her way, instead of buying a bag of buns Sophie hands her hard-won shilling to a poor boy named Joe who is living rough on the streets and in mortal danger from a criminal gang he abandoned. Through a series of curious events all four are drawn together in a fragile circle of wary friendship and mutual support.

And just when they were enjoying getting to know each other and looking forward to all the festivities planned for the opening, they find themselves caught up in a dangerous puzzle when treasures on display at Sinclair's, including a one of a kind bejewelled clockwork sparrow which plays a different song each time it is wound, are stolen and a young man working at Sinclair's is shot and almost killed. Before she knows it, Sophie is a suspect, further bad luck causing her to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, landing her in the deepest trouble she has yet known. Her reputation, position, and survival are on the line. It is up to her, with help from her friends, to unlock the secrets of the clockwork sparrow before an even greater series of crimes are committed. But what can a poor girl with no family and fragile resources do against the mastermind's behind the plot to destroy Sinclair's?

The Clockwork Sparrow

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