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A review by book_concierge
The Pearl Thief by Elizabeth Wein
3.0
Book on CD performed by Maggie Service
3.5***
15-year-old Julia-Beaufort Stuart comes home from finishing school for one final summer at the family’s ancestral home: Strathfearn House. She has many fond memories of time spent with her older brothers, Sandy and Jamie, and especially with her grandfather, the recently deceased Earl of Strathfearn. Now the property has been sold and is being converted into a school for boys. The construction workers have pretty much taken over the house and grounds, with the family ensconced in a few upstairs rooms, and the morning room. But a chance encounter by the river, will result in charges of murder and theft.
This is a prequel of sorts to Wein’s Code Name Verity, giving readers a little background on the character of Julia. It’s a good mystery and coming-of-age tale set in 1938 in the Scottish Highlands.
Julia is awakening to the pleasures of love, and she has two somewhat competing crushes. The construction manager, Francis Dunbar, is obviously forbidden. He is “much” older (in his 30s), and has no idea that she’s only fifteen, and she’s rather forward in showing her attraction (at least in private). Then there’s the enigmatic Ellen McEwen. She and her brother Euan are members of a family of Travelers who have worked seasonally on the Strathfearn estate for generations. Ellen is confident, bold, accomplished and angry. But she also immensely attractive to Julia.
The plot focuses on the estates treasure trove of ancient artifacts, including Bronze-age spear points, centuries-old hand-crafted items, and a jar full of Scottish river pearls, some purportedly once belonging to Mary Queen of Scots. When the archeologist hired to inventory the collection goes missing, at about the same time that Julia is found near the river with her head bashed by an unknown solid object, the local officials are quick to suspect the Travelers. Julia is certain they had nothing to do with either event, but she really cannot remember how she came to be injured.
I thought Wein did a good job of moving the plot forward and keeping the reader guessing. There are plenty of suspects and certain bits of evidence point first in one direction and then in another. I figured it out barely ahead of Julia. I was a little disappointed in how the final act played out, but still thoroughly enjoyed the novel.
There are several really good supporting characters in the book. Librarian Mary Kinnaird stands out for her dedication as the curator of the library’s collections, and her accomplishments despite her disabilities. Born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, her facial features are distorted, and she has some hearing loss, but she’s a fierce defender and stands her ground more than once. Julia’s nanny, Solange, who is also the French companion of Julia’s grandmother, stands out as well; although, she is a bit weepy and prone to hysteria. And on the other side of the coin, Sergeant Angus Henderson, the water bailiff, is a power-drunk bully who goes toe-to-toe with Julia one time too many.
The author’s note at the end of the novel gives additional historical information about Travelers as well as Scottish river pearls. Very interesting and makes me want to read more.
Maggie Service does a marvelous job voicing the audiobook. She sets a great pace, and brings Julia, Ellen, Euan and Jamie to life.
3.5***
15-year-old Julia-Beaufort Stuart comes home from finishing school for one final summer at the family’s ancestral home: Strathfearn House. She has many fond memories of time spent with her older brothers, Sandy and Jamie, and especially with her grandfather, the recently deceased Earl of Strathfearn. Now the property has been sold and is being converted into a school for boys. The construction workers have pretty much taken over the house and grounds, with the family ensconced in a few upstairs rooms, and the morning room. But a chance encounter by the river, will result in charges of murder and theft.
This is a prequel of sorts to Wein’s Code Name Verity, giving readers a little background on the character of Julia. It’s a good mystery and coming-of-age tale set in 1938 in the Scottish Highlands.
Julia is awakening to the pleasures of love, and she has two somewhat competing crushes. The construction manager, Francis Dunbar, is obviously forbidden. He is “much” older (in his 30s), and has no idea that she’s only fifteen, and she’s rather forward in showing her attraction (at least in private). Then there’s the enigmatic Ellen McEwen. She and her brother Euan are members of a family of Travelers who have worked seasonally on the Strathfearn estate for generations. Ellen is confident, bold, accomplished and angry. But she also immensely attractive to Julia.
The plot focuses on the estates treasure trove of ancient artifacts, including Bronze-age spear points, centuries-old hand-crafted items, and a jar full of Scottish river pearls, some purportedly once belonging to Mary Queen of Scots. When the archeologist hired to inventory the collection goes missing, at about the same time that Julia is found near the river with her head bashed by an unknown solid object, the local officials are quick to suspect the Travelers. Julia is certain they had nothing to do with either event, but she really cannot remember how she came to be injured.
I thought Wein did a good job of moving the plot forward and keeping the reader guessing. There are plenty of suspects and certain bits of evidence point first in one direction and then in another. I figured it out barely ahead of Julia. I was a little disappointed in how the final act played out, but still thoroughly enjoyed the novel.
There are several really good supporting characters in the book. Librarian Mary Kinnaird stands out for her dedication as the curator of the library’s collections, and her accomplishments despite her disabilities. Born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, her facial features are distorted, and she has some hearing loss, but she’s a fierce defender and stands her ground more than once. Julia’s nanny, Solange, who is also the French companion of Julia’s grandmother, stands out as well; although, she is a bit weepy and prone to hysteria. And on the other side of the coin, Sergeant Angus Henderson, the water bailiff, is a power-drunk bully who goes toe-to-toe with Julia one time too many.
The author’s note at the end of the novel gives additional historical information about Travelers as well as Scottish river pearls. Very interesting and makes me want to read more.
Maggie Service does a marvelous job voicing the audiobook. She sets a great pace, and brings Julia, Ellen, Euan and Jamie to life.