The Thief Knot

September 15, 2019
Another of Milford's Nagspeake tales, brimful of intrigue, plucky wannabe adventurers, and some suspiciously artful iron. Marzana Hakelbarend and Nialla Giddis are bored. Supremely bored. In the Liberty of Gammerbund, "the place where nothing happens," they stake out even the most innocuous of interactions in hopes of uncovering some dastardly plot--alas, to no avail. A mysterious dinner guest from the city proper, however, upends the Hakelbarends' tranquil domesticity with news that a mayoral candidate's 11-year-old daughter has been kidnapped. Marzana's parents don't seem to consider the girl's being held in Gammerbund a possibility, so Marzana, sick of being denied access to her parents' pasts and (mis)adventures, decides to spearhead her own investigation with the help of an assembled six-kid band dubbed the Thief Knot. The offbeat, impassioned narration twists through uncertainties, anxieties, failures, and triumphs at a jaunty clip. Observant readers will delight in piecing together the clues to puzzle out the knots alongside the Knot as these well-drawn individuals grow from awkward semiacquaintances into a close, cohesive team. Colorful supporting characters further populate this complex world. A particular strength is Milford's depiction of parent-child relationships; rather than taking the easy way out and making the parents dead, abusive, or absent, she makes them affectionate, invested enough in their children's well-being to grow livid upon discovering they've been conspiring behind their backs to get involved in a dangerous crime. Marzana is biracial, with a pale mother and dark-skinned father; Nialla presents white; other characters are diverse. A fascinating, intricate tale of friendship and rescue. (Mystery/fantasy. 10-12)

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Starred review from December 1, 2019

Gr 5-7-The Republic of Gammerbund is a sanctuary for even the most legendary thieves and smugglers to hide and lead (mostly) normal lives. When a kidnapping threatens Gammerbund, 12-year-old Marzana's parents are recruited to help, and the lure of adventure is too much for the shy aspiring spy. She puts together a team of peers to investigate, each member bringing a talent more unusual than the last. But the case may be even stranger than anyone suspects. This novel takes readers back into the world Milford created in Greenglass House, adding richly detailed layers to a well-developed setting. While kids need not have read the other installments, those familiar with the series will appreciate the references to previous books. This is a perfectly plotted and well-told mystery, and the fascinating settings and characters make it unique. Children will find the plot's twists thrilling and immersive, thanks to Milford's world-building talent. VERDICT Readers will delight in this old-fashioned mystery, made fresh with intriguing places and people.-Kristin Brynsvold, Tuckahoe Elementary School, Arlington, VA

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Starred review from October 15, 2019
Grades 5-8 *Starred Review* Best friends Marzana and Nialla are desperate for an adventure, and given where they live?the Liberty of Gammerbund, a district of Nagspeake populated by former smugglers, thieves, and con artists that's notorious for its culture of secrecy?it's especially surprising that they haven't stumbled across one ever. That is, until a detective, desperate for any lead, brings a puzzling kidnapping case to Marzana's mother (who has a notorious past of her own), and Marzana sees her chance to do some real investigating, particularly when she recruits the perfect team to help uncover clues. Milford returns to the world of Greenglass House (2014) yet again in her latest mystery, a truly twisty brain-teaser filled with puzzles, misdirection, and adventure, all with just the right balance of emotional weight that is pitch-perfect for a middle-grade audience. The author's painterly descriptions of objects and places offer fascinating glimpses into her richly imagined, well-wrought world building, and she manages to give distinctive, multifaceted personalities to all of her characters. Though the mystery is ultimately resolved, Milford leaves enough threads tantalizingly loose, not only as (one hopes) a promise for further adventures, but also as a window into the vast world beyond the story. Milford's Nagspeake stories are always a treat, but this one, with its tight, clever plotting; heartening emotional growth, and dynamic setting, shines extra brightly. While knowledge of the earlier titles would be helpful, it's not essential to enjoying this one.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)