With a pinch of steampunk, theatre, and magic Withering-by-Sea is a beautifully-written, hugely-enjoyable middle-grade mystery.

Oh for a boa constrictor to swallow up her miserable trio of aunts! Orphan Stella Montgomery lives in the Hotel Majestic under the frosty care of her mother’s sisters. They forbid talk of her mum, and quake at mention of her father: Stella’s origins are shrouded in secrets and silence. What Stella is allowed to do is be quiet, do needlework, and study French Conversation for Young Ladies.

But everything changes the night she discovers the entire hotel under a sleeping spell, witnesses a strange crime, and finds herself hunted by a sinister magician.

This is one of my favourite middle-grade novels with one of my all-time favourite opening scenes. I love the blending of the Atlas with the conseravtory environment, the rich language of the Atlas itself, and Stella’s practical problem-solving..

Another highlight is the delicious smack of Joan Aiken’s Dido Twite in the rummy, bang-up dialogue of the henchmen.

All the stars. I can’t wait to read the second book - Wormword Mire.

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