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mehsi's review
5.0
You are cordially invited to Sinclair's Midnight Peacock Ball!
I was pretty sad when I learned this was the final book in the Sinclair's mysteries series. I don't want this one to end. I have grown quite attached to Lil, Sophie, and their friends.
This time the book takes place from a bit before Christmas to the start of the new year (hip hip hooray 1910). We see Sinclair's go in full festivities mode with Christmas decorations, but also a ball for New Years. Yep. Sinclair is at it again to make his department store the best one in the whole city (and beyond). But of course we also see what our characters are up to around this time. Sophie, Lil, Leo are going to Leo's home to celebrate Christmas (which is also convenient for Sophie as she has someone she wants to meet in their neighbouring town), while Billy and Joe stay in the city.
So yep, for a bit of the book we split up again. Billy and Joe investigate strange going on's in their part, and Sophie, Lil, Leo, Jack (yes, he is also around) have a mystery of their own to solve. Not to mention snobby people to please (really, people are so silly). But, as is the case with the other books, the cases are related and eventually seam together. Things that Joe and Billy find out are fundamental for the bigger case, and that ghost at Leo's place is also related to the bigger case. I always love how the author can make two cases that seem so separate turn into one big case.
There are a lot of revelations in this book. Not only about the Baron, but also about Sophie's dad, about the Lim family, about Sinclair (yes, there is a big revelation about him). I just loved finding out more about everything and see how the puzzle we got at the beginning of this series just clicks together and becomes one big masterpiece.
There were a few things I didn't expect, and I was delighted.
We also meet a new character, namely Tilly. I loved that girl from the start. She was just so kick-ass, plus I just can't resist a girl who has a good head on her shoulders. I like her special ability. While it was a bit too coincidental (as her skill is needed later), I still quite liked it. Given the ending.. well I think this girl has a very promising future ahead of her.
The ball, the ending, it was all so exciting and I just felt as if I was in a very exciting rollercoaster. It was a bit anticlimactic at one point, but I can forgive that. This was sadly the only solution. Anything else would just have caused certain events again.
As I said at the beginning, this is the final book in this series, but there is a little surprise near the end that made me absolutely squee in delight. So don't cry just yet about this series ending. :)
All in all, this was one series that I would highly recommend. Great, sweet, and kick-ass characters, gorgeous details, can I visit Sinclair's already?, some lovely illustrations, good storytelling, and more!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I was pretty sad when I learned this was the final book in the Sinclair's mysteries series. I don't want this one to end. I have grown quite attached to Lil, Sophie, and their friends.
This time the book takes place from a bit before Christmas to the start of the new year (hip hip hooray 1910). We see Sinclair's go in full festivities mode with Christmas decorations, but also a ball for New Years. Yep. Sinclair is at it again to make his department store the best one in the whole city (and beyond). But of course we also see what our characters are up to around this time. Sophie, Lil, Leo are going to Leo's home to celebrate Christmas (which is also convenient for Sophie as she has someone she wants to meet in their neighbouring town), while Billy and Joe stay in the city.
So yep, for a bit of the book we split up again. Billy and Joe investigate strange going on's in their part, and Sophie, Lil, Leo, Jack (yes, he is also around) have a mystery of their own to solve. Not to mention snobby people to please (really, people are so silly). But, as is the case with the other books, the cases are related and eventually seam together. Things that Joe and Billy find out are fundamental for the bigger case, and that ghost at Leo's place is also related to the bigger case. I always love how the author can make two cases that seem so separate turn into one big case.
There are a lot of revelations in this book. Not only about the Baron, but also about Sophie's dad, about the Lim family, about Sinclair (yes, there is a big revelation about him). I just loved finding out more about everything and see how the puzzle we got at the beginning of this series just clicks together and becomes one big masterpiece.
There were a few things I didn't expect, and I was delighted.
We also meet a new character, namely Tilly. I loved that girl from the start. She was just so kick-ass, plus I just can't resist a girl who has a good head on her shoulders. I like her special ability. While it was a bit too coincidental (as her skill is needed later), I still quite liked it. Given the ending.. well I think this girl has a very promising future ahead of her.
The ball, the ending, it was all so exciting and I just felt as if I was in a very exciting rollercoaster. It was a bit anticlimactic at one point, but I can forgive that. This was sadly the only solution. Anything else would just have caused certain events again.
As I said at the beginning, this is the final book in this series, but there is a little surprise near the end that made me absolutely squee in delight. So don't cry just yet about this series ending. :)
All in all, this was one series that I would highly recommend. Great, sweet, and kick-ass characters, gorgeous details, can I visit Sinclair's already?, some lovely illustrations, good storytelling, and more!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
strawberry_lemonadee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
To quote Mr. Sinclair, "Well, then - I guess that's that".
This was a thrilling conclusion to a wonderful series, and it felt great returning to the impeccable writing of Katherine Woodfine after reading the previous book a year ago.
This was a book full of plenty of twists and turns, and the hopeful ending excites me to begin reading the Taylor and Rose sequel series, hopefully soon.
The book introduces a new, mysterious society of the past, formed by very familiar faces that show that Sophie, the Baron, and the Lim family have far more connection to each other than they thought. Not to mention the entire Winter Hall Christmas part at the first half of the book, which I absolutely loved. And then there was the New Year's Eve climax, which, of course, got very intense, in typical Sinclair's mysteries style. I loved every bit of this book and am sure you will too.
This was a thrilling conclusion to a wonderful series, and it felt great returning to the impeccable writing of Katherine Woodfine after reading the previous book a year ago.
This was a book full of plenty of twists and turns, and the hopeful ending excites me to begin reading the Taylor and Rose sequel series, hopefully soon.
The book introduces a new, mysterious society of the past, formed by very familiar faces that show that Sophie, the Baron, and the Lim family have far more connection to each other than they thought. Not to mention the entire Winter Hall Christmas part at the first half of the book, which I absolutely loved. And then there was the New Year's Eve climax, which, of course, got very intense, in typical Sinclair's mysteries style. I loved every bit of this book and am sure you will too.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Death and Murder
amberj40's review
5.0
Very engaging. It wrapped the series up nicely. But also leaving it open for a spin off, perhaps?
tiannastarfall's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A nice end to the quartet. Felt a bit like a Miss Marple mystery in places, with some slow sections. Picked up the pace towards the end. Nice to see most of the characters making an appearance, but they didn't have much development. Felt like it rounded out the story arcs and still left room for more, I guess the Taylor & Rose books continue with the lady detectives. Would definitely consider picking those up. A nice easy and enjoyable read.
caitlin_lore's review
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed how Lil & Sophie’s story wrapped up! An adventurous, spunky mystery that kept me smiling!
I cannot wait for more of their adventures.
I cannot wait for more of their adventures.
lmn9812's review
5.0
This is a fourth book in a mystery series, set at department store in Edwardian England. I have read and loved each of its predecessors, so when I saw Midnight Peacock go up on NetGalley, I requested it immediately.
The Mystery of the Midnight Peacock is a tightly plotted mystery that is utterly charming, twisty-turny in the best way & gloriously Christmas-y! I could not put this book down. I also adored the Christmas setting--there's something so utterly cosy about a mystery book set during the festive period.
Our main characters, Sophie and Lil, are back and at their detecting best. Sophie's growth over the four books in the Sinclair Mysteries is just lovely, and her confidence in herself and her abilities is great to see. I also loved that my fav character, Leo was back. One of the elements I like most about this series is the friendship between the characters, and I really enjoyed seeing characters from books past pop up and offer a helping hand in this one. I enjoyed seeing the tension and camaraderie between the gang develop throughout the story.
Katherine Woodfine's writing is gorgeous. Nuff said.
I don't want to say too much more because, ya know, fourth book in a series AND it's a mystery, but this book was a gloriously satisfying finale. If you like mysteries and history, than the Sinclair Series is for you.
The Mystery of the Midnight Peacock is a tightly plotted mystery that is utterly charming, twisty-turny in the best way & gloriously Christmas-y! I could not put this book down. I also adored the Christmas setting--there's something so utterly cosy about a mystery book set during the festive period.
Our main characters, Sophie and Lil, are back and at their detecting best. Sophie's growth over the four books in the Sinclair Mysteries is just lovely, and her confidence in herself and her abilities is great to see. I also loved that my fav character, Leo was back. One of the elements I like most about this series is the friendship between the characters, and I really enjoyed seeing characters from books past pop up and offer a helping hand in this one. I enjoyed seeing the tension and camaraderie between the gang develop throughout the story.
Katherine Woodfine's writing is gorgeous. Nuff said.
I don't want to say too much more because, ya know, fourth book in a series AND it's a mystery, but this book was a gloriously satisfying finale. If you like mysteries and history, than the Sinclair Series is for you.
daffz's review
4.0
This was a perfect ending to a fun series. I feel like I say it in every single one of these reviews, but the atmosphere the author manages to create in these books is just wonderful. I keep reading for that more than the mystery or the characters, though they also keep me invested.
I like how this book wrapped things up just enough. I am really curious to see what the follow-up series is like. I'm excited to see more of Sophie and Lil, but do have the feeling the background characters I've come to love from this series won't show up in that one as much. I really appreciate the background characters the author has set up over the course of the series, and how many returned in this book, showing their personalities and talents in unique ways. I also liked Tilly a lot, a character introduced in this book. She fit in perfectly with the established cast.
All in all, I really recommend this series. It's been a fun one to read, and I'll definitely keep up with the next series about these girls, as well as other work by this author.
I like how this book wrapped things up just enough. I am really curious to see what the follow-up series is like. I'm excited to see more of Sophie and Lil, but do have the feeling the background characters I've come to love from this series won't show up in that one as much. I really appreciate the background characters the author has set up over the course of the series, and how many returned in this book, showing their personalities and talents in unique ways. I also liked Tilly a lot, a character introduced in this book. She fit in perfectly with the established cast.
All in all, I really recommend this series. It's been a fun one to read, and I'll definitely keep up with the next series about these girls, as well as other work by this author.
booksandlemonsquash's review
4.0
An excellent finish to the sinclairs mysteries series. A little twee in places, especially in back linking all the people who’d met in other ways, but honestly I think this series lends itself to a little tweeness in a good way :) Sophie and Lil continue to be excellent and awesome in basically every way. I was sad to see less of Joe and Billy but it was good to see more of the Lims, and Leo. And I loved Tilly :)
There are still a few unanswered questions but I’m pleased to see that there will be a follow on series, hopefully revolving less around plots to destroy the store!
Good middle grade mystery fun, highly enjoyable.
There are still a few unanswered questions but I’m pleased to see that there will be a follow on series, hopefully revolving less around plots to destroy the store!
Good middle grade mystery fun, highly enjoyable.