ALICE ÉCLAIR, SPY EXTRAORDINAIRE! in A SPRINKLING OF DANGER.

by SARAH TODD TAYLOR;  

Image ©

                                                                                 

An Adventure Book Review by Erin the Literary Cat©, International Book Reviewer.

Hello, and welcome to my weekend Book Review featuring Adventures in Middle-Grade Fiction. 

If you are here for my selfie, please read on down to the bottom of the page.  

The latest fun gangster-style story hasn't quite got itself finished, so there is no warm-up/B-Movie to go along with this 1930s spy adventure. 

So, without further ado, please open your mind and enter the world of 1930s France, a place where German spies abound. If you are into fine eating, especially gastronomic cakes to make you drool, you'd head to Paris's finest bakery, Vive Comme L'Éclair.

ALICE ÉCLAIR, SPY EXTRAORDINAIRE! in A SPRINKLING OF DANGER.

 

Image ©

 

Author: SARAH TODD TAYLOR

Artist:  BEATRIZ CASTRO

Published by:  NOSY CROW

Publication date:  14 September 2023

Paperback ISBN:  978 - 183 994 88 55

Cover price for Paperback £7.99

Pages:  272 (approx)

Age range: Middle Grade (9 AND upwards)

Any dogs or cats? Yes, a feline called Casper, who gets more than he bargains, AGAIN!

 

To see our review of book 1, click this LINK.  OR type this link https://erinthecatprincess.blogspot.com/2022/07/alice-eclair-spy-extraordinaire-recipe.html

To see our review of book 2, click this LINK.  OR type this link https://erinthecatprincess.blogspot.com/2022/12/alice-eclair-spy-extraordinaire.html

 

SPOILER ALERT

Yes, some as to wider plot direction and characters.

 

Thank you to... 

We are exceedingly grateful to Sarah Todd Taylor and Hannah Prutton of Nosy Crow Publishers for the fantastic proof copy of this highly-anticipated, delectable book before publication. 

As ever, our views are our own, and we only share reviews of books we have bought, been given as gifts, or received in exchange for an impartial review. 

First and foremost, the books we review are those we like and feel our global readers deserve to know about and that we hope they, their children, friends and students will enjoy. 

 

The plot

Our story opens with Alice and her spy boss, Claude, overhearing the apparent demise of a French agent at the hands of Alice's traitorous uncle Robert. It is the latest in a string of incidents where agents or their locations have been compromised, or worse. Claude believes the theft of a secret map showing the agents' positions, the incidents and the presence of an American director, Glen Carmine, at the Palace Versaille to make a film are linked. Carmine is believed by Claude to be a traitor from the first war, though he could never prove it. 

Somehow Carmine has to be sending snippets of info from the map out to foreign agents. As the current checking of the film production's post and telephone calls has not proven anything, Alice goes undercover on the film set to keep Carmine under close observation. 

When Alice presents some of her delicious macarons to the star of the film, Catrine Belle, she gains favour, a request for daily cakes, and thus access to the set. Unfortunately, Alice has been paired up with an adult agent and new recruit called Pierre, who manages to secure a role on set as Catrine's personal hairstylist. He, however, does not like playing any sort of part with Alice. It is a conflict that only gets worse and threatens the mission. In fact, Pierre seems eager to get Alice off the set and off the case! But why? Has it anything to do with notes he is seen passing to Carmine, who is doing her best to ignore him?

When Alice is sent tumbling to the gutter to avoid being run over by Catrine's car, it seems there is another suspect to be watched. 

During her spying, Alice discovers a fake vase. Clearly, someone has stolen the original. But with the thief of a clock already fired, is there another thief in the cast and crew? Alice has a plan, and surprisingly it involves a dusting of icing sugar and more of her cake-making skills.

Help soon arrives in the form of an adult, Stella Blythe – Alice's reporter friend from book two, but not before another attempt on her life which leaves her cold in more ways than one. It seems that the spy, or spies, are on to Alice. Stella was attending a meeting where the map was stolen from and was, as they say, in the frame. Duly freed, Stella intends to find the culprit, who Claude says is at Versaille. 

Through her investigations, Alice spots the set designer going out in the snowstorm and handing over something to somebody who soon vanishes from the grounds. Could he instead be the spy?

With clues leading this way and that, will Alice bring the real master spy to justice? More to the point, will she be alive to do it. y the time the film is a wrap? 

With only a radio set and a small lipstick-size flare, she sets out on what could be a mission impossible!

 

So, what did we think?

First, I need to caveat the above by saying I have simplified the plot slightly to preserve a lot of action, adventure and mystery. It is, for want of a phrase, just a tasty morsel of a much bigger, cream-filled, strawberry-topped gateau that is just waiting in the patisserie window with your name on it. No calories, just lots of filling.

I love that in this adventure, Alice is developing as an agent. Trusted by her boss, Claude, she isn't just a kid with incredible baking skills. Alice has proved her worth as an asset in the service of France and the post-WW1 free world in the preceding two adventures. But, in a primarily male and adult world, she is also very vulnerable. So she fights on a few fronts, both age and gender. I think this great dynamic will appeal to most young readers. And in an age where to do what Alice and some of the characters do was to risk all, the peril we see here is well placed and informed for the Middle-Grade reader. 

This is Alice's third mission, and my, she really has quite a mountain to climb to expose the villains. 

There are nice twists and turns, especially as we are never quite sure where the main characters' loyalty lies. I do like that guessing game.

The joy of the story has to be Casper, the cat, who, in true feline fashion, willingly or unwillingly, gets himself into far deeper hot and cold water than a cat should. I doubt he'll be going outdoors anytime soon after what he gets goes through. 

We have come to expect mouth-watering cakey creations, and this adventure is no exception. They are used to very clever effect throughout the story. I'll be wary next time I'm confronted with a sizeable multi-tier cake, I can tell you.

If I was to add anything to this story, it would be scratch-and-sniff cards to give the smell of the cakes......

 

So, Crunch time. 

This is an excellent sequel. A super stylish, atmospheric period adventure, beautifully placed inside the Palace of Versailles and its snow and ice-covered grounds, that takes Alice to dizzying, heartstopping new heights and far greater peril. 

 

Want to buy a copy?

To get a copy, please sail or saunter down to your local independent bookshop. Of course, a feline on the shoulders is optional. There are plenty out there (both book shops and cats), and each shop is just waiting to serve up whatever kind of mystery, fun and adventure you desire.

Sarah Todd Taylor's WEB page can be found HERE or type this: https://sarahtoddtaylor.com/ 

Nosy Crow's web page can be found HERE. or type this: https://nosycrow.com/product/alice-eclair-spy-extraordinaire-a-sprinkling-of-danger/

Beatriz Castro's web page can be found HERE. or type this: https://beatrizcastroilustracion.com/

 

After all that reviewing,  I shall leave you with a selfie of little old feline me.  🙂 🙂

We are joining the Sunday Selfies, hosted by the wonderful Kittes Blue and their mum, Janet Blue.

 

This is me and Logi the mouse settling in for a nap together . . . Mrs H thinks I'm dreaming of cake. Me, I think it may have been cake covered in soft icing with layers of cream, and just a sprinkling of danger(ous marzipan mice) on top.

 

 

 

Till laters!

ERin

 

THE BOY WHO SAVED A BEAR

 by NIZRANA FAROOK;  

  

Image copyright ©

                                                                                   

An Adventure Book Review by Erin the Literary Cat©, International Book Reviewer.

Hello, and welcome to my weekend Book Review featuring Adventures in Middle-Grade Fiction. This week we have a cracking good read for you. 

So without further ado lets read about . . . .

 

 

 

 

AUTHOR: NIZRANA FAROOK

 

Cover art by: DAVID DEAN

 

Published by: NOSY CROW

Publication date: Paperback - 6 APRIL 2023

 

Paperback ISBN: 978-183 994 3928

Cover price for Paperback: £6.49

 

Pages: 194

 

Age range: 9 to 12 and upwards

Any dogs or cats? No, but one very delightful bear!

 

SPOILER ALERT

Some as to plot direction and characters. 

 

 

Thank you to... 

 

We are exceedingly grateful to Hannah Prutton and the team at Nosy Crow Publishers for the delight of getting to Read & Review this grand, children's adventure before publication. 

As ever, our views are our own, and we only share reviews of books we have bought, been given as gifts, or, as in this case, received in exchange for an impartial review. 

First and foremost, the books we review are those we like and feel our global readers deserve to know about and that we hope they, their children, friends, and students will enjoy.

 

The plot

Nuwan is aged twelve. He lives with his parents, elder brother Krish, and younger sister, Priya, in a village in the north of Serendip, now called Sri Lanka, many, many decades ago.

The story opens with Nuwan, and his best pals, Sani and Chathura, admiring the elephants lined up outside the great Library of the North. It seems the key to a long-lost treasure, housed in a statue at the royal palace, has been discovered in the library. It is a cause for a grand celebration. The key will be presented to the Queen after a five-day procession from the library. All the time, the key to be held aloft on the elephant's back, on display to the villagers en route.

The three want to get close enough to see the great key but can't. If only Krish were there, as he delivers books from the library to a temple beside the royal palace. He could go in and view the key and tell them all about it.

But Krish is sick at home. Unable to pick up his delivery, the three friends think all is lost. Until that is, Nuwan decides HE will take Krish's place and deliver the books to the temple. That way, he could legitimately enter the library and look at the key on display before it leaves for the palace. It will also mean that Nuwan can prove he can be as trustworthy as his sixteen-year-old brother and help the family rather than be expected to fail at everything he does.

It is a choice that will prove life-threateningly dangerous and also life-affirming. 

When Nuwan convinces the librarian, Mrs Weerasinghe, he can undertake the urgent task instead of his brother. Too busy to argue, he is allowed to collect and deliver the books. And in so doing, he gets to see the key. So now all that's left is to get the books to the temple. Just before he heads home to tell his parents, he notices another book tucked away. Almost lost between two wooden panels. Adding the volume of poetry to his pile, he heads home.

But when he expected to find praise for his initiative, he was told flatly he wasn't allowed on the journey. It was, they said, far too dangerous for a twelve-year-old. Despite his protestations that Krish had done it at twelve, he was too unreliable. Later, when nobody is looking, he takes the books and begins his journey to the temple near the Kings City.

Unbeknown to Nuwan, thieves have stolen the real key and hidden it in a hollowed-out section in that same book of poetry. They replaced it with a replica key now heading to the Queen. 

In a momentary rest from his trek, inquisitive Nuwan found the key in the poetry book. He quickly realised what it was and that he needed to get it to the Queen or be branded the thief himself. For safety, he has hung the key around his neck. 

The head librarian and her husband are quickly revealed to be the thieves when they track down Nuwan as he makes his journey and menacingly demand the key back. In the ensuing set-to with Mrs Weerasinghe, the head librarian, and her husband, Nuhan fleas into a cave. The cave is a place of sanctuary not just for him but also for a bear. And not just any bear; this cave belongs to Karadi, a bear with one white paw and a ferocious reputation. 

Now, I could leave this review here; after all, it is a climactic moment. But what follows is worth telling just to get the story really flying. With a twist in circumstance, good or bad will be for you to find out, the key ends up in Karadi's possession, around her neck! 

The story gathers pace and tension from here on in. Nuwan has some lessons to learn along the way, and life and limb are literally put at risk. Whose I shall not say.

 

Suffice it to add, yet again, Mrs H gasped out loud and had a tear in her eye at various points. I really do think she gets too involved in our reviews 🙂. But it is a good sign that this book hits all the right spots.

So, what did we think?

We loved the preceding adventures, all set in and around Serendip/Sri Lanka. The first was The Girl Who Stole an Elephant, and the second was The Boy Who Met a Whale. The third is The Girl Who Lost a Leopard.

 

The action is quick, and the plots, written with vest and aplomb, weave themselves through the land, jungle and oceans to a grand finale. This new adventure (like the others) touches the heart deep down, naturally and gently. 

A brilliant, neat, tidy story, strong engagement: The ability to draw one in to the place, characters, and action that matters. 

Mrs H says she would have loved to have these growing up, though they are by no means dated. She thinks the extra magic in such stories comes from the sense of the wild, the creatures and the unexpected that flows through and punctuates all Nizrana's stories. It is hard not to think of Kipling when reading this, though without the talking creatures. 

It would be remiss not to say how much we love David Dean's artwork within and for all the covers; it is perfect. I get a real sense of place and time in the image styles and colours. A perfect foil for the stories. 

 

Oh, if you are wondering about the title, well, lets just say for every action there is a consequence and a lesson to be learned.

 

So . . . . 

Crunch time. 

 

Without a doubt, this competent series is one to read, share and enjoy. 

 

Want to buy a copy?

Please set out on a journey to your local independent bookshop to get a copy. There are plenty out there (both bookshops and possibly bears, though hopefully not in the same place). Each shop is just waiting to serve up whatever kind of mystery, fun and adventure you desire. Of course, a bear in tow is not obligatory and will likely raise a few eyebrows. On the plus side, it will probably shorten the queues at the checkout, too!

A little about the author:

Nizran was born and lived in Columbo, the capital of Ceylon, now called Sri Lanka. Having graduated from Bath Spa University with an MA in writing for young people, she currently lives in Hertfordshire, England with her family.

There is a lovely article /interview with Nizrana on the blog MY BOOK CORNER. A link to that site and page can be found HERE.    

Or type https://www.mybookcorner.co.uk/my-journey-to-publication-guest-post-by-nizrana-farook/

Nizrana Farook's web page can be found HERE or type this: https://nizranafarook.com/


NOSY CROW's web page can be found HERE or type this: https://nosycrow.com/


David Dean's web page can be found HERE or type this: https://www.daviddean.co.uk/

And now, the Sunday Selfie.

We are Joining Janet Blue from the Cat on My Head blog for the weekly parade of selfies from all manner of companion creatures from across the pond and globe.

To go to Janet's blog selfie page, please click this LINK. or type / cut and paste https://thecatonmyhead.com/unlikely-easter-two-fur/

I shall leave you with my selfie! 🙂 🙂 That bunny seems happy enough, me, well, I think I was considering the lunch menu .......

 

 

 

 

Till laters!



ERin

THERE'S A BEAST IN THE BASEMENT!

 by Pamela Butchart; Artwork by Thomas Flintham 

                                                                                        

An Adventure Book Review by Erin the Literary Cat©, International Book Reviewer.

Hello, and welcome to my weekend Book Review featuring Adventures in Middle-Grade Fiction. If you want the selfie, please scroll on down!

 

 
Before we start, let's head over to Upper Much-Mousing to see what's been going on since last week's local mishaps and mayhem! . . . .

"Fire. FIRE! All out!" Mrs H stormed into the Drawing Room, decked out in her yellow Reserve Fire Fighters clothing and clutching an extinguisher, and a pail of water, which she duly tossed over the source of the smoke. When the room cleared a bit, her look of concern turned to confusion.

"What on earth is going on, Erin?"

"Erm, " Erin said, peering from behind a now lightly smouldering coal scuttle under the sash window. " I was signalling, Mrs H". 

"What?" 

"You know, smoke signals, like the American tribes used to say the tax man was coming."

"I'm fairly certain they didn't pay tax, at least not in those days. Besides, our local tax office closed after that little incident last year!" Mrs Hudson was alluding to the diplomatic incident that had seen 10 nations vying to create a new enclave and military foothold for their country within the English County of East Lambtonshire. It had all got very tense, seeing military forces from several nations infiltrating surrounding fields, woods and even farmer Clarksin's flock to steal a march in the negotiations. It ended peaceably when the Parish Council declared the village a princelesspality – as there was currently no prince – a neutral zone and tax haven. 

"No, I messaged the butcher." Erin glanced at the piece of paper by her side. "I've also messaged Mrs Singh about cancelling the papers for tomorrow. Plus, the Post Office about some parcels I'm expecting. Is there anyone I can message for you?" Erin looked earnestly at Mrs H, who was rolling her eyes and trying not to choke on the occasional acrid smell that wafted from the scuttle. 

"No, I'm alright, thank you. I think it's safer just to cycle into the village to shop. A brisk walk would do you good too! Too many of Mrs Singh's Jumbo Mini Treats!" Mrs H gave a knowing nod and looked at Erin's expanding midriff. "Out of interest, has anyone replied?" 

Having breathed but failed to reduce the size of her tummy paunch. Erin gave up and gave an embarrassed grin. "Oh yes. Mrs Singh ran up some coded naval flags to say that your order of sherry is ready for collection. And the post office sent a message by longbow—" Erin pointed to the arrow embedded in the window frame – that says you need to renew your MOT and road tax on the Brough Superior motorcycle." 

"Hmm. So no news from the butcher? I sent one of the homing pigeons off this morning. The other bird should have come home by now. Have you seen it?"

"A pale blue grey with a heart shaped white splodge on it's chest, a slight limp and missing a few feathers?" Erin asked whilst discretely sliding a feather from view. 

"The colours are right, though ours didn't have a limp or missing feathers. . . . Erin, you didn't, did you?!"

 

"Me, as though I would. No, no, no. Probably the same fox that took some of our hens. It dropped this note saying the joint will be ready Monday, and then half flew, half wobbled to the pigeon loft." Erin smiled sweetly.

 

"I think, dear, before you have any more bright ideas, or we get some of our own locals demanding your scalp, we should get on with the book review!"

"OK, but before I do, is there any chance you could relight this for me, please; I was half way through ordering some fish and chips?" 

Mrs H rolled her eyes and, after giving Erin a very HARD stare, went to get a mop.

This week's book review makes our fun adventures pale. So without further ado or smoke signals, here it is . . . .

 

 

AUTHOR:  PAMELA BUTCHART

 

Cover art by:  THOMAS FLINTHAM        

 

Published by: NOSY CROW

Publication date, Paperback:  12 JANUARY 2023

 

Paperback ISBN:   978 - 1 - 83994 - 051 - 4

 

Cover price for Paperback is £7.99

 

Pages:  219

 

Age range: 6-9 and up of course anyone else who wants a laugh!

Any dogs or cats? Oh YES, but you'll have to read the book to find out more!

 

 

SPOILER ALERT

Some as to plot direction and characters. 

 

 

Thank you to... 

 

We are exceedingly grateful to Nosy Crow and Hannah Prutton for the delightful and unexpected uplift to the week and a chance to share this with you before publication. 

 

As ever, our views are our own, and we only share reviews of books we have bought, been given as gifts, or received in exchange for an impartial review. 

 

First and foremost, the books we review are those we like and feel our global readers deserve to know about and that we hope they and their children will enjoy.

 

A little about the author....

 

Award winning childrens author, Pamela Butchart, lives in Dundee, Scotland. She lives with her son, and two cats, called Bear and Carlos. She says in her bio that if she wasnt working as a teacher cum writer, she'd be running a really posh hotel for stray cats!

 

The plot

First, let's meet our 7 to 8-year-old cast. Izzy is our narrator, and she and her friends, Zach, Jodi and Maisie, sit at the same desk in class. Jodi says she isn't the sort that needs to be in charge, but so actually is, whilst Maisie is scared, faints, and worries far too much. As for Zach, he is ever so helpful but can't tell a good lie if he tries. Together they conduct their secret missions and help save their school from monsters and aliens. 

 

And then there's Gary, Gary Petrie, the one kid in the class that really brings out the worse in Jodi. He is loud and is very sure of himself, worse for Jodi, he wants to be in charge. But he is OK, just like his dad. And as the team soon discovers, has hidden sides and talents!

So, introductions made, let's get to the action. Something strange is happening at school. The Headmaster, Mr Graves, is acting very strangely. Crawling on his hands and knees in the corridor, 'silent crying' during morning assembly whilst talking about vegan sausages, and bursting into the classrooms rummaging through the cupboards. 

 

When Gary's dad is parked at school one morning, blocking the entrance just as Izzy and her pals are heading in, Mr Graves comes out in panic mode. He hauls Mr Petrie off to some urgent task around the back of the school in the 'Out of Bounds' area. It is an opportunity too good to miss, and Jodi gets everyone to follow but can't shake off Gary. When they turn the corner, there is no sign of the adults!

Gary knows precisely where they are, and in exchange for the info Jodi so desperately needs, and much to her chagrin, he gets to join in their investigation of why Mr Graves was acting weird. 

 

When a teacher spots the kids, Gary gets himself locked down below. Later he insists whilst there, he heard scratching sounds.

Now, as one thing leads to another, Izzy and co get invited to Gary's place for a party, possibly with the best-tasting pizzas with the craziest toppings made by Mr Petrie. Here he spills the beans about what Mr Graves wanted and what he thought he saw in the basement. But when he mentioned the thing to Mr Graves, he was bustled out, and no more was done or said.

 

What happens next is a downward spiral of wild guesses, high-tech gadgets made by none other than Gary, and a lot of breaking of school rules and spying on people. 

 

Will the gang discover what monster lurks within the school basement and whether it is guarding some long-buried treasure? Will Gary ever stop being annoying yet incredibly helpful? And will Maisie stop fainting and screaming in terror! And Why is Mr Graves increasingly fraught, scratched up and weepy?

All this and more, including a Ninja-trained cat and lots of nasty smells, will be revealed when the dust finally settles on this adventuresome comedy of errors. 

 

So, what did we think?

 

This is the 13th book in the series featuring Izzy and her pals. Not having come across the others before, I do need to do catch-up. But it clearly is a popular series for the younger reader. I loved this one.

With titles like 'Baby Aliens Got My Teacher', 'Attack Of The Killer Dinner Ladies', and 'A Monster Ate My Packed Lunch', to name but three, I think you can see why.  

 

Mrs H was chuckling, snorting and guffawing all the time. And despite my best efforts to slow her down, we finished in one sitting. We then reread it today!

 

The style of the books is pacy and never without fun. It has an infectious exuberance and vibe that I think kids this age will love. And, being seen from Issy's perspective, we get to see the other, arguably more flamboyant characters, in all their glory. 

 

It is filled with mayhem, mishaps and misunderstandings typical of kids when they get together. It is all brought to life in short chapters, larger fonts and bursts of enlarged, explosive text, with images throughout (in the style of the cover) that really add to the feel of the text and excitement.

So . . . . 

Crunch time. 

A great book that fosters good reading habits and is highly entertaining. Thus, for us, it is of incredible value. 

The perfect antidote to a rainy afternoon, a car journey to that not-so-favourite aunt, or even a boring lesson. Just be sure to share it with the kids!

Want to buy a copy?

 

To get a copy, and avoid detention and beasts unknown definitely head to your local independent bookshop avoiding basements! There are plenty out there and each shop is just waiting to serve up whatever kind of mystery, fun and adventure you desire.

 

Pamela's author page on the Nosy Crow site can be found HERE or type this: https://nosycrow.com/contributor/pamela-butchart/

 

Nosy Crow's web page can be found HERE or type this:  https://nosycrow.com/

 

 

Thomas Flintham's web page can be found HERE or type this: https://www.thomasflintham.com/

 

 

 

And now it's selfie time! We are joining the Sunday Selfies bloghop, hosted by Janet Blue of the Cat on My Head blog.  

 

So I shall leave you with a selfie. 🙂 🙂

 

 

I hope you enjoyed this week's post. Love Cats, read, and be kind to all sentient beings.

 

Till laters!

ERin