The House of Hidden Wonders

Zinnie and her sisters live in the murky tunnels beneath Edinburgh's Old Town. They keep out of the way of the authorities and remain undetected. Until, that is, rumours of a ghost bring unwanted visitors into the caverns they call home. Among them, a young Arthur Conan Doyle, keen to investigate, and MacDuff, the shady owner of Edinburgh's newest attraction, the House of Wonders. Caught up in a world of intrigue and adventure, Zinnie seeks answers. But how can she discover what secrets lie in the House of Wonders while also protecting the sisters she holds so dear?

Fast paced and full of heart, I loved this MG mystery novel and think it will be a huge hit with young readers this year. Here are three reasons why:

1. There is a beautiful sibling relationship at the heart of this novel - in Zinnie's found-family of girls - and the affection the sisters felt for each other was at the heart of their every decision. Nell, the youngest sister, falls ill at the beginning of the novel and it is her survival and happiness that drives many of Zinnie's actions. Aelfine is the newest sister and her resourcefulness and bravery made her a fantastic character, along with her lovely pet monkey Ruby. I also loved the clever, resourceful Sadie who has a brilliant knowledge of herbal healing.

2. The Victorian Edinburgh setting was incredible, with plenty of atmospheric historical details. The inclusion of real historical figures like Arthur Conan Doyle, was a lot of fun and I loved all of the little references to his writing, and the Sherlock Holmes vibes which ran throughout the book. It was also particularly interesting to learn about Dr Jex-Blake and the struggles the first female doctors faced and there were some great facts included at the back. I can see this novel being great for classes studying the Victorian period as it provides a vivd representation of what life was like at the time, especially attitudes to race, gender and disabilities. 

3. The House of Hidden Wonders was a mystery story with a difference. We know who committed the crime quite early on in the narrative, and the protagonist is instead trying to prove their guilt. This provides a change of pace from a traditional mystery, but there's still plenty to speculate and wonder about. There is a lot at stake for Zinnie and her sisters and it was thrilling to watch them cope with all the complications that came their way.

Thank you Little Tiger for providing me with a copy of this novel for review.