Woven into this compelling and exciting story are details about the perils of being a Black person in 18th century Britain, pre the abolition of slave trading. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences, as described in the Cookie notice. The three main settings are Lizzie’s house (a café) where there are many visitors and it is warm, snug and usually busy. Despite slavery being abolished, unfortunately black people were still being captured and sent overseas as slaves and I found this part of the story eye-opening but interesting to learn about as it is not an aspect in our history that I am familiar with.

The mystery kept me coming back to the book because you could never be sure of which characters you could trust.For all ebook purchases, you will be prompted to create an account or login with your existing HarperCollins username and password.

To add to that, there were some scenes in the book that more sensitive readers might find unnerving. But when they catch each other’s eyes at the theatre one night, each is delighted to see another Black girl her own age.

The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries is a thrilling book that follows Lizzie Sancho and her new friend Dido Belle as they start to uncover a plot that puts Lizzie’s father’s life under threat. The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries does what, in my view, great historical fiction should do- it tells a cracking story from the view of someone you might not find in the history books. The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Drama and Danger has been shortlisted for the Waterstones 2023 Children’s Book Prize! Thirdly, Belle’s house, which is a massive mansion of a place which -despite its size – is quite bare of people.

Set in eighteenth-century London, with all the fun and zest of Hamilton and inspired by real Black British historical figures.

A thrilling middle grade mystery series, perfect for fans of Robin Steven’s Murder Most Unladylike . The first book in a new thrilling mystery series for 9-12s set in 18th Century London and inspired by real Black British historical figures. Another large character is Lizzie’s father, Ignatius Sancho, who is actually the victim of the crime. The beginning was a little confusing with a large number of characters being introduced and then having little role going forward.