The House of Hidden Wonders is an action packed mystery set in Victorian Edinburgh. We couldn’t put this book down, it’s a real page turner. We were absolutely fascinated by the story of three impoverished sisters and the mystery that they are thrown into when a ghost appears in their underground hideaway.
The Story: Zinnie and her sisters, Sadie and Nell, live a hand to mouth existence in a tunnel under Edinburgh’s Old Town. But when a ghost starts scaring everybody, Zinnie’s investigations lead to her uncovering intriguing secrets, many linked to The House of Hidden Wonders and Phineas McDuff, the house’s owner.
The House of Hidden Wonders features a range of characters including a young Arthur Conan Doyle who arranges for Zinnie to disguise herself as a maid at Lady Sarah’s dinner party. At the party she also meets Dr. Sophia Jex-Blake, Scotland’s first female doctor, and McDuff who both play important roles in the story.
The three sisters are all very different and protective of each other, especially when Nell falls dangerously ill. Zinnie, despite being unable to read, is brave, innovative and very resourceful, she is the sister who discovers the ghost’s secrets and its link to The House of Hidden Wonders.
A ghost, a fortune teller, corpses with missing ears and a train robbery all play a part in this fast paced mystery which moves between Victorian high society and Edinburgh’s dark underworld as Zinnie uncovers secrets in her attempt to solve the mystery of the ghost. The gap between rich and poor is starkly contrasted as the action moves between the tunnels, Dr Jex-Blake’s clinic and Conan Doyle’s residence.
The story moves quickly and events and characters are seamlessly woven together. There are surprises and twists, it’s a fabulous story for anybody who enjoys a good mystery.
Age Range: 8 +
Author: Sharon Gosling / Cover illustration: Hannah Peck
Thank you to Little Tiger Press for sending a review copy of this fabulous book.
Never mind the kids. I really like the sound of this for me. Reminds me a bit of the Oscar Wilde mysteries that Giles Brandreth wrote. They also featured Arthur Conan Doyle
This is a story that can be enjoyed by all ages – I couldn’t put it down!
This sounds a brilliant book – just the sort I would have enjoyed as a child. Sadly there is nobody in my family of the right age to enjoy it at the moment.
I’m sure you would enjoy it Sarah, I just had to keep reading to see what was going to happen next!
This book looks and sounds wonderfully mysterious, I just love the illustrations on the front cover! I can see myself reading this before my girls #readwithme
It’s a great story for all ages – I couldn’t put it down!
I really like the sound of this book. It’s fab that it appeals to all ages and that I can enjoy reading this with my eldest. 🙂 x
I’m sure that you will enjoy this story as much as your son – I was hooked!