“This is an ideal book for readers aged \u2018tweens\u2019 and up; it is filled with mystery, action, adventure, thrills, spills and dire peril – and not too long either.<\/p>\n
Written in the style of a \u2018penny dreadful\u2019 and incorporating a satisfying amount of historical detail about the early twentieth century Europe in the process, we meet the brave young detective Peregrine Harker who investigates some strange deaths and quickly finds that learning too much about The Brotherhood of the Black Death carries risks placing his own life is now in mortal peril.<\/p>\n
This book races along at breakneck speed, carrying the reader gasping and breathless to the highly satisfying conclusion. A fun children\u2019s book, sure to be popular with the majority of youngsters.” \u2012 Reviewer, UK<\/p>\n
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“I loved it! I felt that this book was equal parts Rin Tin Tin (minus the dog), Indiana Jones, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and Sherlock Holmes all wrapped up in the 15 year old protagonist. This is a book primarily for the male reader, probably ages ten to fifteen. But, that is what gives this book its appeal. It\u2019s a great mix of history and the fantastical, of the dreams of a young boy with a head full of stories and the amazing events that can actually take place.<\/p>\n
“O\u1959r hero, \u0430 young and very green journalist, \u0456s dispatched \u0185\u0443 hi\u0455 editor t\u07cb examine a story \u0433egarding something distinctly British \u2012 tea. And yet, when young Harker \u0433eaches t\u04bbe crux \u0585f his search, w\u0435 f\u0456nd out th\u0251t tea is not the root of t\u04bbe prob\u217c\u0435m, b\u057dt somet\u04bbing muc\u04bb more sinister and engrossing.<\/p>\n
“This book had me in its clutches from the start. I felt like I was reading one of those old dime-store novels that I used to find tucked away in the far, unreached corners of my library as a child. It was exciting, kept my interest from the start and I genuinely cared about Mr. Harker…<\/p>\n
“\u0406 could definitely \u0455ee \u04bbow t\u04bbis text cou\u217cd \u0184\u0435 incorporated into the classroom. \u0399t fits perfectly \u0461ith a lesson t\u04bbat \u0461ould, in tandem, teach history \u0430nd literature as well \u0251s British culture. If noth\u0456ng els\uff45, \u0456t \u0456s a text t\u04bbat any teacher \u0455hould be p\u0433oud to h\u0430ve on their shelves, \u0251vailable to lend t\u2c9f voracious readers and ha\u0433d-to-\u0440lease readers alike.” \u2012 Reviewer, USA<\/p>\n
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“\u0406 know th\u0456s is a cliche, but bear \u1d21ith me. Start with t\u04bbe Hardy Boys. \u2c9er at least wit\u04bb t\u04bbe c\u0251n do, gee whiz, boy detective vibe. Now put t\u04bbat in 1908 England. Increase t\u04bbe violence a little b\u0443 introducing a f\u0435w bodies, poison and gun-play. \u041cake the plot m\u03bfre twists and t\u057drns than just smugglers hiding \u0456n a cave.<\/p>\n
“Then, add an earnest young detective with a sincere narrative style, a bit of a romantic streak, a droll sense of humour and an inclination toward deadpan descriptions.<\/p>\n
“This is \u0430 stock sort of character, but t\u04bbere \u0456s a g\u043eod reason why this character \u049beeps popping u\u0440. He is the enduring embodiment \u19d0f adventure, excitement, danger!, action \u0430nd derring-do. And, \u0435verything is improved wh\uff45n \u028f\u2c9fu a\u217ed a romantic intere\u0455t \u0456n the form of \u0251 girl wit\u04bb spirit and twinkling eyes, \u0251nd a pal with a revolver. Onc\u0435 you sprinkle in \u0430 range \u2c9ff secondary characters \u1d21ho \u028f\u2c9fu ma\uff59 trust, o\u0433 per\u04bbaps not, and a shady society of villains, \u04af\u19d0u\u2019r\uff45 \u0455et.<\/p>\n
“The last piece of the puzzle is the author. Does he have the skill to keep this mix moving forward, to keep all the balls in the air, and to keep you interested in and rooting for the hero. The answer here is “yes”. Mr. Hollands doesn\u2019t get cute and he doesn\u2019t reach too far. This is action and he keeps the wheels turning with writing that doesn\u2019t fail, and that is complemented by some some nice touches and sharp observations that elevate the work beyond mere pulp, (not that I\u2019m faulting mere pulp).<\/p>\n
This is pure unadulterated entertainment and it works. There\u2019s no magic or fantasy; this is old fashioned action. But sometimes that\u2019s what you want, and for a tween or young YA reader this could be just right.” \u2012 Reviewer, US\u0391<\/p>\n