Joined in 2023 
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Simone likes to share her love for environmental art, and bring life to characters within their worlds. The characters Elizabeth, who is referred to as Lizzie throughout the book, and Belle come from different backgrounds and especially make this book interesting. It was great to read a historical novel for children where the main characters aren't white and middle class and the mystery/detective aspect made it really pacey and engaging.
However as I got into highschool most historical fiction i found was centered around boys and young men. A phan mae tad Lizzie, sy’n actor, bron yn cael ei ladd gan siandelïer sy’n cwympo, mae’r ddwy yn gwybod nad damwain oedd hyn. They are both Black which, personally, I find inspiring as not many books include Black people let alone Black women.The first book in a new thrilling mystery series for 9-12s set in 18th Century London and inspired by real Black British historical figures. I absolutely flew through this brilliant new detective series, reading both the physical book and listening to the audiobook. From the descriptions of the Jamaica Coffee House to the candle lit theatre chandeliers Georgian London is vividly brought to life.
The next day Lizzie set off for the Kenwood house, the residence of Belle, where she lived with her Uncle and Aunt. The book also centres around the themes and rights of Africans and how the laws of equality were being fought. The second book in the thrilling middle grade mystery series, perfect for fans of Robin Steven's Murder Most Unladylike. The age range it was reaching for was still present in the descriptions of characters and plot twists, but I liked it.Wilkins already knew about them and knew that they knew too much already, so he broke into the Kenwood house and stole all their case notes. Before children can watch the play, a mysterious and tragic incident occurs to the star of the show - Ignatius Sancho - and a mysterious note is discovered.
Elizabeth Sancho’s and Dido Belle’s eyes meet across the crowds at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, where Lizzie’s father was about to be the first black man to play Shakespeare’s Othello in a production by David Garrick. On the other hand, if Belle was the narrator, it wouldn’t have shown all of the family events that Lizzie goes through. As the chandelier dropped the whole theatre was sent into a commotion but the tension was higher for the Sancho family. I loved the style of the illustrations, they fit the book’s theme very well and I was drawn to this book by its colourful and intriguing cover. As they go deeper and deeper into the mystery, someone realises how close they are to the truth and tries to silence them, but Lizzie and Belle won’t be silenced easily.
Throughout the book, Lizzie is motivated to solve the mystery because her father’s life was on the line, but she could never have done it without Belle, a smart girl who was the more anxious of the two. So, as well as being a great story, it’s also informative and a brilliant conversation starter and empathy aid for MG children. Set in late eighteenth century London Drama and Danger is full of mystery with a hint of Hamilton style and Bridgerton fashion but it is inspired by true Black British historical figures. I heard about this adventure novel in a school reading list and I was told if I enjoyed Murder Most Unladylike then I would enjoy this.
My favourite character out of the two is Belle, for she forgives Lizzie when she wants to do the mystery her way. But no, Lizzie’s father is a famous actor: he has the lead role in the play that nearly ends his life.It also includes fantastic character, Ignatius, Sancho and his children (of which Lizzie is one) and wife and the entire premise of a society that doesn’t trust black people , yet is putting on a play of Othello, starring a black man which is controversial, some people are concerned that the only portrayal of black people on stage is of a murderer. There are plenty of twists and turns, and just when you think you have almost figured out who did it, the author throws in another surprise. Woven into this compelling and exciting story are details about the perils of being a Black person in 18th century Britain, pre the abolition of slave trading.
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