Once again it is up to the two girls to unveil the truth and put an end to the villainy that plagues the city. On opening night as he entered the stage, a chandelier dropped from the ceiling but it was at this moment that Elizabeth Sancho saw Dido Belle, the first black girl her age that she has seen. But when they catch each other’s eyes at the theatre one night, each is delighted to see another Black girl her own age. The 103 third parties who use cookies on this service do so for their purposes of displaying and measuring personalized ads, generating audience insights, and developing and improving products. I was hooked from the outset as Williams expertly takes the real life historical figures of two black Georgians Lizzie Sancho and Dido Belle and imagines them tackling a mystery of an attempted onstage murder!

A gripping historical mystery set in the heart of Georgian London’s theatreland, the story is inspired by real Black British figures and brings to life a crucial period in Britain’s past. She wore a gown of cream lace, the sleeves puffed at the shoulders, and a delicate silver chain around her neck.I think that this is important to say that some of the subjects in the book are for older readers and that younger readers would not understand many of the words. The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Drama and Danger has been shortlisted for the Waterstones 2023 Children’s Book Prize! My favourite moment in the story was very close to the end, when the mischievous duo tricked their enemy! It’s a fantastic portrayal of life in England in the past, the fight against slavery and the Parliamentary processes to try and stop it.

The fact that Belle comes from a wealthy family and has some opportunities such as a carriage makes it easier for them to go around the city to chase the possible suspect. Overall, I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery with relatable and likable characters.I liked the book layout which had plenty of excellent black and white illustrations, copies of letters and case notes and decorated chapter headings. Her debut short story appeared in The Very Merry Murder Club, edited by Robin Stevens and Serena Patel. 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.