A Sally Lockhart Mystery: The Ruby in the Smoke

Pullman, Philip. A Sally Lockhart Mystery: The Ruby in the Smoke. Alfred A. Knopf: 1985. ISBN: 9780375845161.

Plot Summary:
Sally Lockhart, a pretty sixteen year old is grieved. Her father has been killed while on a sea voyage and she now completely alone in the world. A cryptic letter arrives telling Sally to beware of the Seven Blessings and to find Marchbanks in Chattum. Seeking answers Sally visits her father's shipping business to try and find out more about his death. While talking with one of her father's partners, Mr. Higgs, Sally mentions the Seven Blessings. Mr. Higgs immediately falls over dead from a heart attack. Not one to shy away from adventure, Sally embarks on an journey that changes her forever. This journey includes opium use, death and greed.

Critical Evaluation:
Sally is a modern girl in a Victorian world. Armed with self confidence and little else, Sally's determination to find the truth about her father's death makes her a great protagonist. Written in third person, we get to see the big picture and try to piece together the mystery. This book is part historical fiction and part Agatha Christie. The setting is bleak and unfamiliar and conjures up a wet, cold, uninviting picture of London in 1872. A Victorian girl should not be without a guardian, thankfully Sally finds refuge with a photographer, Frederick and his sister, Rosa. Frederick is basically a stranger who once offered Sally help escaping from harm. This plot turn is only believable because Sally is so independent and Frederick is so flaky, yet gallant. A compelling story with a satisfying ending; luckily this is only the first book in the series.

Reader's Annotation:
Somethings require hard work, but are they worth dying for? Only you can make that decision.

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
Losing a loved one is not easy. Many times we want to withdraw from the world after it happens. Sally does the opposite, she engages life and makes a new start for herself.

Genre:
Mystery and Suspense/Historical Mysteries

Why Book Included:
I saw the television version on Masterpiece and thought teens would like the story.

What I Saw and How I Lied

What I Saw and How I Lied

Blundell, Judy. What I Saw and How I Lied. Scholastic Press: 2008. ISBN: 9780439903462.

Plot Summary:
It is 1947, WWII is over and things are getting back to normal. Fifteen-year-old Evie lives in Queens, New York with her mother, step-father and step-grandmother. Her mother married Joe right before the war and they moved in with his mother, Grandma Gladys for the duration. Evie adores Joe, who in turn adores her movie star beautiful mother, Beverly. Out of the blue, Joe takes the family on a Florida vacation. The family stays in an almost deserted resort. It is the off-season and guests are sparse. Enter Peter, a dashing ex-G.I. from Joe's war days. Joe is not happy to see him, but Evie is smitten immediately. She enjoys outings with Peter and her mother. A fellow hotel guest takes her shopping and buys her glamorous adult clothing. Life in Florida is a dream for Evie, but the adults begin weaving webs that don't have a happy ending.

Critical Evaluation:
This is a well written mystery without being a typical whodunit. The author does a great job evoking the 1940's glamor and style. Women dress for dinner in evening gowns and smoke disinterestedly while having drinks at the bar. The negative aspects are starkly presented as well. Prejudice towards Jews to the point of kicking a couple out of the hotel after a 2 month stay because they don't serve Jews. The treatment of African Americans is also briefly alluded to. Evie is bright-eyed and plain compared to her beautiful mother. Forming a crush, she interprets Peter's attention as sexual interest, while Peter's interest is toward her mother, Beverly. The adults in this novel are not to be trusted. The plot twists and turns unexpectedly, yet it is believable. Evie is made of tougher stuff than even she is aware of.

Reader's Annotation:
Coming to terms with the adults in your life can be disappointing. You must always trust yourself.

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
Unfortunately, every teen does not have a responsible, trustworthy adult in his/her life. Sometimes even when we think there is a trustworthy adult, they can let us down.

Genre:
Mystery/Historical/Suspense

Why Book Included:
The title and the book cover caught my eye and I love mysteries.