A Pocket Full of Murder

June 15, 2015
Their mother's death and their father's struggle to find work have taken a toll on the four Breck sisters: Annagail, the eldest, has left school for a factory job; young Lilet and Mimmi endure day care; and would-be writer Isaveth, following a recipe in the Book of Common Magic, has begun baking spell-tablets to sell on the street. In Tarreton, nobles live in luxury while the poor live in grinding, Dickensian poverty. As Moshites, a religious minority, the Brecks are isolated and burdened by discrimination. When Papa is arrested, unjustly accused of murdering the governor of Tarreton College, Isaveth vows to save him. Quiz, a mysterious boy who's befriended her (like her, he's a fan of the broadcast "talkie-play" Auradia Champion, Lady Justice of Listerbroke), offers much-needed help. Their investigations lead them first to the college, with its plethora of witnesses and possible suspects, then to the Workers' Club, an illegal underground organization dedicated to improving the lives of Tarreton's downtrodden. Isaveth and her sisters are an appealing bunch, and the plot's twists and turns keep readers enjoyably perplexed. The setting, with its nostalgia-infused, late-Victorian vibe, is to fantasy what steampunk is to science fiction-and great fun. This alternate world's infrastructure relies on magic-based technology. Powerful Sagery enables the nobility's luxurious lifestyle, but for commoners, permission to use common magic is a hard-won right, by no means universal. Thoroughly entertaining. (Fantasy.10-14)

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July 1, 2015

Gr 5-7-An appealing novel for readers who like fast-paced fantasy with a dash of mystery and a political angle. Thirteen-year-old Isaveth is a lower class girl, or Moshite, in the fictional city of Tarrenton, where the wealthy have all the magic. When her father is wrongfully arrested for the magical murder of an important political figure, it's up to Isaveth to prove his innocence. A young man named Quiz befriends her and decides to help her solve the crime. Isaveth soon learns that Quiz may be lying about his identity and have motives of his own, and she doesn't know whom she can trust. The story wraps up while leaving enough loose threads for a sequel. Throughout the novel is a parallel story about Auradia Champion, Lady Justice of Listerbroke, a former city justice who is the inspiration for many radio dramas. Isaveth seeks to emulate Auradia's justice as she confronts potential citywide corruption. Though the characters are fully fleshed out, readers may need to suspend disbelief in order to accept their astonishing array of special skills and capabilities. Isaveth makes her own spells and engages with magic throughout the story, but she also grapples with everyday issues of bullying, social class, prejudice, charity, and justice. The atmosphere is fully realized, but there are some minor issues with world-building. For example, the book mentions that there are different days of the week such as Duesday, but does not clearly explain the order of the days. VERDICT Fantasy readers who also enjoy a bit of mystery will appreciate the story, cast of characters, and layers.-Liz Anderson, DC Public Library

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