Crime and Detection

The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow

Author Katherine Woodfine

  • Story

    It’s the early 1900s and Sophie has just started work at Sinclair’s, a grand new department store in London. On the night before the opening gala there is a robbery. A rare clockwork sparrow is taken. When Sophie comes under suspicion she and her new friends, Lil, Billy, and Joe, work together to solve the case.

  • Why we chose it

    A historical mystery thriller which introduces two daring detective heroines.

  • What a young reviewer said

    This book definitely gripped me from the first chapter! It took me into a tornado of adventure and mystery. I would love people who enjoy mystery mixed with adventure books to read this. (Ethan, age 12)

  • First published

    2015, Egmont

Story Reviews

Our reviews come from a team of young story lovers! If you’re aged 8–16 and keen to join in, learn how to become a reviewer for The Story Museum. 

New York Tycoon Edward Sinclair is set to open London's first purpose-built department store, but things go terribly wrong. On the night before the Opening Gala, the Exhibition Gallery is robbed! Sparkling jewels and an extremely rare Clockwork Sparrow, that plays a different tune each time wound up, are missing. Two of the Sinclair's workers, Sophie Taylor and Lilian Rose vow to bring the thief to justice, and go on a mission that endangers their very own lives... This book definitely gripped me from the first chapter! After that I could not resist reading the rest of it, so I was eager to finish my work and get a chance to read it. It took me into a tornado of adventure and mystery. I would love people who enjoy mystery mixed with adventure books to read this.

Ethan