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hidingzeus's review
3.5
Because this didn't include enough of the original characters, I couldn't get into it quite as much. I also didn't like when Sophie and Lil spent so much of the book split up!
lmn9812's review
5.0
I adored Katherine Woodfine’s earlier series, THE SINCLAIR’S MYSTERIES, so I was over the moon to hear that she was continuing Sophie and Lil’s adventures. PERIL IN PARIS is definitely a shift from the earlier books, in the sense that espionage is at its forefront, but it still retains the charm and excitement of Katherine’s first four books.
The problem with reviewing a book that is a follow on from an earlier series is that there’s not a lot I can say without spoiling THE SINCLAIR’S MYSTERIES. What I can say is this: Katherine’s writing and world-building is OUTSTANDING. I think setting in a historical period is so hard to get right, and Katherine basically provides a masterclass in how its done. I study the Edwardian era as part of my PhD and this was spectacular.
Point number two: we get cameos of beloved characters, and meet some interesting new ones, but I adored the focus on Sophie and Lil. Sophie, in particular, really came into her own in this story, and the friendship between her and Lil is SO strong.
Thirdly, the plotting. This is MG mystery at its best. It twists and turns, and shocks and delights constantly. The balance between the physical action and the intellectual solving of the crime is perfect, and creates a story that feels well paced, but also lightning fast. I genuinely could not put this book down. Every chapter made me want to read on, and that is the mark of an A* mystery.
This book has left me with bated breath for the sequels, and an insatiable desire to time travel to Paris in the early twentieth century. Whilst I’ll always adore THE SINCLAIR’S MYSTERIES, I think PERIL IN PARIS might be my favourite Katherine Woodfine book yet. It is clever and charming and sets up a brilliant series.
This was one of my favourite books of the year, and it more than lived up to the hype.
*An ARC of this book was kindly provided by Egmont*
The problem with reviewing a book that is a follow on from an earlier series is that there’s not a lot I can say without spoiling THE SINCLAIR’S MYSTERIES. What I can say is this: Katherine’s writing and world-building is OUTSTANDING. I think setting in a historical period is so hard to get right, and Katherine basically provides a masterclass in how its done. I study the Edwardian era as part of my PhD and this was spectacular.
Point number two: we get cameos of beloved characters, and meet some interesting new ones, but I adored the focus on Sophie and Lil. Sophie, in particular, really came into her own in this story, and the friendship between her and Lil is SO strong.
Thirdly, the plotting. This is MG mystery at its best. It twists and turns, and shocks and delights constantly. The balance between the physical action and the intellectual solving of the crime is perfect, and creates a story that feels well paced, but also lightning fast. I genuinely could not put this book down. Every chapter made me want to read on, and that is the mark of an A* mystery.
This book has left me with bated breath for the sequels, and an insatiable desire to time travel to Paris in the early twentieth century. Whilst I’ll always adore THE SINCLAIR’S MYSTERIES, I think PERIL IN PARIS might be my favourite Katherine Woodfine book yet. It is clever and charming and sets up a brilliant series.
This was one of my favourite books of the year, and it more than lived up to the hype.
*An ARC of this book was kindly provided by Egmont*
daffz's review
4.0
This was closer to 3.5, but I've decided to round it up because I did enjoy the book.
Peril in Paris is the first book in a new series with the same main characters as the The Sinclair’s Mysteries book series, but with a different setting and them being a bit older. The characters are now seventeen and are secret agents, which takes their adventures further away from Sinclair's department store. I enjoyed the mystery and the new characters, as well as the two separate story lines. But I did miss a bit of the charm of the original books. I think it has more to do with me having to get used to a slightly new direction than the book doing anything wrong, though.
It was nice to see Sophie and Lil again, in this new capacity. I wish they had a bit more interaction together, though. I was also glad that the minor characters from the previous series hadn't been forgotten, even if the spotlight is firmly on the two main leads.
All in all, an enjoyable read. I'm curious to see where the next book will go, especially after the ending left some things open.
Peril in Paris is the first book in a new series with the same main characters as the The Sinclair’s Mysteries book series, but with a different setting and them being a bit older. The characters are now seventeen and are secret agents, which takes their adventures further away from Sinclair's department store. I enjoyed the mystery and the new characters, as well as the two separate story lines. But I did miss a bit of the charm of the original books. I think it has more to do with me having to get used to a slightly new direction than the book doing anything wrong, though.
It was nice to see Sophie and Lil again, in this new capacity. I wish they had a bit more interaction together, though. I was also glad that the minor characters from the previous series hadn't been forgotten, even if the spotlight is firmly on the two main leads.
All in all, an enjoyable read. I'm curious to see where the next book will go, especially after the ending left some things open.
booksandlemonsquash's review
4.0
My favourite middle grade mystery series has been upgraded to a spy series!! Featuring awesome, smart, quick thinking and brave girls! Love it.
I really enjoyed the Sinclair’s mysteries book, and I think I’m going to enjoy the Taylor & Rose Secret Agent series even more, based on this book.
Fun, intrigue, assassination plots, political intrigue, aeroplanes... what more does a book need?? I loved getting to see Sophie and Lil more settled into their lives as detectives, and now secret agents. And I really enjoyed getting more Tilly. I missed Billy and Joe though, the team didn’t quite feel right without them in it much. Though it was nice to hear some of the wider cast names being dropped too :):)
My only criticism is really that we don’t see enough of Sophie and Lil together, and it seems that the next one will at least start with them apart again. However, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to see them spread their wings :D
4.5 stars and can’t wait for the next one!
I really enjoyed the Sinclair’s mysteries book, and I think I’m going to enjoy the Taylor & Rose Secret Agent series even more, based on this book.
Fun, intrigue, assassination plots, political intrigue, aeroplanes... what more does a book need?? I loved getting to see Sophie and Lil more settled into their lives as detectives, and now secret agents. And I really enjoyed getting more Tilly. I missed Billy and Joe though, the team didn’t quite feel right without them in it much. Though it was nice to hear some of the wider cast names being dropped too :):)
My only criticism is really that we don’t see enough of Sophie and Lil together, and it seems that the next one will at least start with them apart again. However, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to see them spread their wings :D
4.5 stars and can’t wait for the next one!
growintogardens's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
perseiden's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
yunuspapilio's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5