Book Title: The House of Hidden Wonders (available here)
Author: Sharon Gosling
Illustrator: Hannah Peck
Publisher: Little Tiger UK
Publication Date: April 2020
Most Suitable For: Years 4-6
Reviewed By: Tami Wylie
The House of Hidden Wonders was a great surprise. It is the first book by Sharon Gosling that I have read and what a treat!
The story of Zinnie and her sisters, orphans who survive on the streets, is a tale of mystery, adventure and intrigue, interwoven with the fascinating history of Edinburgh. Set in the late 1800s, The House of Hidden Wonders is the story of Zinnie, a young girl who has escaped a life in the orphanage and has learned to survive by any means on the streets of Edinburgh. She has taken in other foundlings to create her own family and they live in the underground world of St. Mary’s Gate, a crumbling ruin of time gone by.
Zinnie has formed a bond with a young Arthur Conan Doyle, who employs her to do odd jobs for him. It’s during completing one of these jobs that Zinnie encounters the strange and secretive owner of The House of Hidden Wonders, a new museum that is preparing to open. Strange things begin to happen, including the arrival of a ‘ghost’ and a mysterious young girl, whom Zinnie befriends. Danger is everywhere and lives are threatened. Can Zinnie and her sisters solve the mystery of the ghost and stay alive? Or will things end badly for all involved?
This is a story full of mystery and intrigue, including murder and life-threatening danger. It will leave the reader on the edge of their seat – it is a fantastic narrative that is hard to put down. I will certainly be reading more books by Sharon Gosling.
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You can order The House of Hidden Wonders online or from your local bookshop or library.
Many thanks to the publisher for sending us a review copy of this book and to Review Panel member Tami for reviewing it.
Where next?
> Visit our Reading for Pleasure Hub
> Browse our Topic Booklists
> View our printable year group booklists.
> See our Books of the Month.
