Vashti Hardy (author) Natalie Smillie (Illustrator)
Newly qualified warden Grace Griffin is excited to be using the amazing teleport technology of the Griffin map to travel throughout Moreland fighting crime. But her first mission, investigating a series of petty thefts, is proving to be a bit of a puzzle. Who would steal a jar of jam, or a spanner, or a tin of machine oil? And why do all the reports mention the sighting of a bird at the scene of the robbery?
When the clues finally lead to a ramshackle castle on a lonely island, Grace might find more than just a thief …
The sequel to The Griffin Gate, I enjoyed this just as much. It reads like a traditional detective story, in that there are lots of clues given to puzzle over and Grace is an engaging central character. Now a qualified as a warden, fighting crime across Moreland, Grace takes on the responsibility of solving a series of odd small thefts. Her brother and mother are unable to help, as they are rushed off their feet, so Grace has to solve it with the aid of her trusty companion, Watson, the robot raven. She follows the clues to a near derelict castle on a lonely island, where she discovers something unexpected that could solve everyone’s problems…
A story of friendship, kindness and family, the illustrations bring the characters to life, supporting the plot well. With the dyslexia friendly format that Barrington Stoke employ so effortlessly, there is a lot to like for younger readers just starting to discover the fantasy genre, or for those wanting a light read. Ideal for Year 4 children upwards.
