The Mystery of the Painted Dragon by Katherine Woodbine
Genre: Mystery, Middle Grade
Publisher: Egmont Books
Pages: 352
Format: ARC e-book
Rating: ★★★
Note: We received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This summer, I read the first book in the Sinclair Mystery series. It was my first new Middle Grade book in a decade, and I was really excited to find something that was a genre I love, in a historical setting (also LOVE), just with younger protagonists. The third book in the series, The Mystery of the Painted Dragon is no different from the first in the lovely vibes it gave me, and the pure rush of enjoyment I get from reading a mystery, and solving it along with the protagonists.
Katherine Woodfine knows how to put together a great mystery, one with interesting characters, a devious hidden plot and historical markers that always put a smile on my face.
While I haven’t read the second book in this series, that didn’t detract from my ability to recognise a recurring villain. If anything, it makes me want to rush out and buy the sequel as soon as possible!
I loved the familiar characters of Sophie and Lil, who have come a long way in capability since the first book, and the introduction of Leo was fabulous – not only was she an amazing artist, but she was also differently abled, walking with a crutch and I’m giving this book major ticks for including diverse ability representations. I don’t often read about a physically challenged protagonist, and this encourages me to seek them out more often.
Fast paced and intriguing, the third book in this series is definitely a winner, although I did prefer the debut for it’s focused setting of the department store. Sophie and Lil were still employees there, of course, but the art school took centre stage and while that was interesting, it wasn’t what I was expecting! Still, I’m really looking forward to the fourth book after the finale of this, and how the format may change!
Do you have any Middle Grade recommendations? Do you like mystery novels?
Heart Full of Books 