fortunesdear's review against another edition
2.0
I remember enjoying the first book but I was just bored reading this. Although there were a few interesting bits that popped up occasionally as a whole it could have been way better.
lorialdenholuta's review against another edition
4.0
I've been wanting to read the Wollstonecraft Detective Agency books for quite a while, and at long last I dug in. I started with #2 since it was the only one the library had at the moment.
This is a clever, fun, silly book that will teach a child about history, science, and cryptology, and will probably make them curious about more topics that they may go learn about on their own.
My only complaint was that the actual mystery took quite a while to get rolling, but honestly, I was having fun along the way. I wish these books had existed when I was a kid.
This is a clever, fun, silly book that will teach a child about history, science, and cryptology, and will probably make them curious about more topics that they may go learn about on their own.
My only complaint was that the actual mystery took quite a while to get rolling, but honestly, I was having fun along the way. I wish these books had existed when I was a kid.
mhenneous's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
snazel's review against another edition
4.0
This series is a pure joy. I can nerd out about victorian ladies! And victorian mysteries! And neuroatypical victorian characters!
ehazra's review against another edition
I so wish these had been around when I was a kid as I'm sure I would have been ever more enthralled with them than I am now. Not only is there a mystery in each book, there is a slowly developing overarching mystery in the series. I love the historical connections even though they are not accurate; it makes me want to know more about the real people. I can definitely see these books getting kids, especially girls, interested in math, science, and computer programming. Let's all be little Adas!
melmo2610's review against another edition
5.0
This one was fantastic! The mystery was really good and I loved there were multiple parts where I laughed out loud. Super good!
chewdigestbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Color me still uncomfortable with the utter craziness of warping timelines in this series. The story/plot is so cute and entertaining but I find myself horrified just as often as I'm entertained.
mckenzierichardson's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing! I cannot get enough of this series.
This is a great continuation of the series and is just as exciting as the first.
Great characters, a fascinating case, and a cool mix of history and fiction. This is a perfect book for young readers. Included in the back of the book, as in book one, are some historical notes, which are easy to understand and bring a brilliant aspect to the fictional representations of the places and characters.
Stratford brings to life some compelling female characters, making this a fantastic series for girls, as well as boys. I highly recommend this series.
This is a great continuation of the series and is just as exciting as the first.
Great characters, a fascinating case, and a cool mix of history and fiction. This is a perfect book for young readers. Included in the back of the book, as in book one, are some historical notes, which are easy to understand and bring a brilliant aspect to the fictional representations of the places and characters.
Stratford brings to life some compelling female characters, making this a fantastic series for girls, as well as boys. I highly recommend this series.
lecrockett's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this book from Knopf BFYR for review!
Ada and Mary have two new detectives in their agency -- their sisters -- whether they like it or not. But the sisters prove to be of assistance when another case crops up, one that requires understanding the class system and social etiquette. But Mary is certain this case may be linked to an almost supernatural one she and Charles stumbled upon: a girl in grey, quite distressed, and one who seems to know a thing or two about the case the Wollstonecraft Detective Agency is working on.
I love how Stratford manages to share bits and pieces of the true Ada and Mary (and Charles and Claire and Percy) in his mystery novels for MG readers. We know what these children and young adults become later on in life, and though there's some fudging with the timelines, it's all excellently written and fun.
This case echoes another Wilkie Collins book, The Woman in White. It also has more character development for our adorable protagonists. Ada is obsessed with codes, which becomes incredibly helpful in solving this case. Mary is growing up and it appears she's becoming chummy with Percy (*squeal*). But you can always rely on Ada to be awkward with people and for Mary to point it out and smooth over. Some things never change.
Cute, clever, and darker than the first, this next installment of the Wollstonecraft mystery series is a bit more gothic and a tad less humorous. As I'm familiar with Woman in White, I knew within the first 30 pages which direction the book was going, but it's still an excellent introduction to gothic for MG readers. Can't wait for more!
Ada and Mary have two new detectives in their agency -- their sisters -- whether they like it or not. But the sisters prove to be of assistance when another case crops up, one that requires understanding the class system and social etiquette. But Mary is certain this case may be linked to an almost supernatural one she and Charles stumbled upon: a girl in grey, quite distressed, and one who seems to know a thing or two about the case the Wollstonecraft Detective Agency is working on.
I love how Stratford manages to share bits and pieces of the true Ada and Mary (and Charles and Claire and Percy) in his mystery novels for MG readers. We know what these children and young adults become later on in life, and though there's some fudging with the timelines, it's all excellently written and fun.
This case echoes another Wilkie Collins book, The Woman in White. It also has more character development for our adorable protagonists. Ada is obsessed with codes, which becomes incredibly helpful in solving this case. Mary is growing up and it appears she's becoming chummy with Percy (*squeal*). But you can always rely on Ada to be awkward with people and for Mary to point it out and smooth over. Some things never change.
Cute, clever, and darker than the first, this next installment of the Wollstonecraft mystery series is a bit more gothic and a tad less humorous. As I'm familiar with Woman in White, I knew within the first 30 pages which direction the book was going, but it's still an excellent introduction to gothic for MG readers. Can't wait for more!