The Sinclair's Mysteries facts for kids
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| Author | Katherine Woodfine |
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| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's books, mysteries |
| Publisher | Egmont Publishing |
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The Sinclair's Mysteries is a thrilling series of four mystery books for young readers, written by Katherine Woodfine. The first book, The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow, came out in June 2015. It was even chosen as a special book by Waterstones. The next book, The Mystery of the Jewelled Moth, was released in February 2016. The third story, The Mystery of the Painted Dragon, followed in February 2017. The final book, The Midnight Peacock, completed the series in October 2017.
Each exciting novel takes place in Edwardian London. This was a time in history from 1901 to 1910, when King Edward VII ruled Britain. The stories are all set around a make-believe department store called Sinclair's. This store is a lot like the famous Selfridge's. It sells fancy clothes, perfumes, and sweets to London's wealthy people. The main characters, Lilian Rose and Sophie Taylor, work in the store. They often find themselves right in the middle of mysterious crimes!
Contents
The Sinclair's Mystery Books
The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow
After her father passes away and leaves her without money, Sophie is happy to find a job. She starts working in the hat-making department at Sinclair's. This store is about to become London's biggest and most exciting department store. There, she quickly becomes friends with Billy, a young porter. She also meets the beautiful Lil, who works as a model by day. At night, Lil dreams of becoming an actress.
Just before the store is set to open, a big robbery happens. The thieves steal a very valuable item called the Clockwork Sparrow. When Sophie is even suspected of the crime, she knows she must solve the mystery. Her new friends, Lil and Billy, bravely help her find out what really happened.
The Mystery of the Jewelled Moth
In The Mystery of the Jewelled Moth, Sophie and Lil face another puzzling case. A young lady named Veronica Whitley loses her very valuable brooch. It's up to Sophie and Lil to save the day! Get ready to be amazed as our two young heroines go undercover. They discover secret rooms and even reveal hidden identities!
The Mystery of the Painted Dragon
This book introduces a talented young artist named Leonora Fitzgerald. She goes to art school in London. While she is there, a priceless painting is stolen. This happens after a man named Randolf Lyle asks her to recreate the missing painting.
Leonora meets other artists, including Connie, who is involved with the suffragette movement. She also meets Jack Rose, who is Lil's brother. Together, they discover that a person called the Baron is behind the theft. They go to a secret meeting where a group called the Fraternitas Draconum, or "Brotherhood of Dragons," meets. There, they learn that Lyle was the one who stole the dragon painting. Sophie and Lil, with help from Leo, Jack, Joe, Connie, the suffragettes, Veronica Whiteley, and a young Chinese girl named Mei, break into Lyle's apartment. Sophie and Lil go inside while the others create distractions. In the end, they arrest Lyle with help from Private Detective McDermott and Chief Inspector Worth.
The Midnight Peacock
In The Midnight Peacock, Sophie and Lil find themselves solving a holiday mystery. This takes place at a party in snowy Winter Hall. Back in London, Mr. Sinclair's New Year's Eve Midnight Peacock Ball might lead to trouble for the young detectives and their friends.
Main Characters
Sophie Taylor
Sophie became an orphan at a young age. She didn't know she had a talent for solving mysteries. Sophie starts working at the fancy Sinclair's store. There, she makes many new friends.
Lilian Rose
Lilian is Sophie's best friend. She wants to be an actress, even though her rich parents don't approve. She works as a model at Sinclair's. Lil is smart, confident, and naturally curious. In The Mystery of the Painted Dragon, we learn she has an older brother named Jonathan, also known as "Jack."
Billy
Billy is one of the young porters at Sinclair's. He becomes good friends with Sophie and Lil. He can be a bit annoying and sometimes acts without thinking. Billy also hopes to be like his hero, Montgomery Baxter.
Mei Lim
In the second book, the friends meet Mei, a young girl from Chinatown. Mei quickly becomes a trusted friend to all four members of the mystery-solving group. Mei's father is Chinese, and her mother is English. They own a small shop in Chinatown. This shop becomes like a second home for Sophie and Lil.
Mr. Cooper
Mr. Cooper is the manager of Sinclair's. He seems strict on the outside but is actually very kind. However, it is later discovered that he is secretly working with the Baron.
Leonora Fitzgerald
Leonora, or Leo, is the youngest daughter of Lady Lucy Fitzgerald. She is a promising art student at the Spencers art school. When she was young, Leo had an illness that made it hard for her to walk. But Leo was determined to walk again. With the help of her crutch, she slowly gets back her ability to walk.
Veronica Whiteley
Veronica is the daughter of a very rich mine owner. She is a debutante, which means she is a young woman making her first appearance in high society. She was going to marry Lord Beaucastle, a noble, who is later revealed to be the Baron.
John Hardcastle
In The Midnight Peacock, John Hardcastle is revealed to be the Baron. He is the youngest son of the Duke of Cleaveland, who has fallen out of favor.
Edward Sinclair
On the surface, Edward Sinclair appears to be a millionaire. However, he is later revealed to be a spy. He was sent by America to investigate the Fraternitas Draconum, also known as the Brotherhood of Dragons.
Joe
After running away from the Baron's boys, Joe meets Sophie, Lil, and Billy. They help him escape his difficult life and give him a chance for a fresh start. Like Sophie, Joe has no family. But he soon finds that Billy, Sophie, and Lil are the best family he could ever have. He starts to have feelings for Lil as the series goes on.
Jack
Jack is Lil's older brother. He is also studying at the Spencers art school. He is one of Leo's best friends.
