History, mystery, and science collide in a new series for middle-grade readers, perfect for fans of The Mysterious Benedict Society and Lemony Snicket!
Jordan Stratford imagines an alternate 1826, where Ada Lovelace (the world’s first computer programmer) and Mary Shelley (author of Frankenstein) meet as girls and form a secret detective agency!
Lady Ada Byron, age eleven, is a genius. Isolated, awkward and a bit rude—but a genius. Mary Godwin, age fourteen, is a romantic. Adventurous, astute, and kind, Mary is to become Ada’s first true friend. And together, the girls conspire to form the Wollstonecraft Detective Agency—a secret constabulary for the apprehension of clever criminals. Their first case involves a stolen heirloom, a false confession, and an array of fishy suspects. But it’s no match for the deductive powers and bold hearts of Ada and Mary.
Mystery fans will love this tween girl riff on Sherlock Holmes and John Watson. History buffs will be delighted to see all the real figures who play a role in this story and appreciate the extensive backmatter that helps separate truth from fiction. Parents and educators hoping to promote the STEM fields for girls will be thrilled to have a series where two girls use math, science, and creative analytical thinking to solve crimes. But most especially--emerging readers will love this series filled with humor, action, intrigue and wonderful artwork from Kelly Murphy.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful.
Ages 11 to 13.
By E. B. MULLIGAN
1826 England where the author uses the names and characteristics of historical people (Ada Byron Lovelace, the daughter of the famous poet Lord Byrin & considered the world's first computer programmer; Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein; Percy Bysshe Shelley iconic poet who Mary would marry & who was the BFF for Lord Byron; Charles Dickens, etc) and imagines what it would have been like if they had been childhood friends.Lady Ada Byron, is 11 & Mary Godwin, is 14 - they become the Hardy girls of their time and put their enthusiasm and skills to solving crime under the name the Wollstonecraft Detective Agency. Percy Bysshe Shelley aka Percy B. Snagsby aka 'Peebs' is their tutor and might be a SPY!. Mary's commute to Ada's home, for tutoring, is where Dickens, already bookish, comes into the story. Lots of adventures ensue, ie., touring the infamous Newgate prison and a scary balloon ride across London.I loved it but the story matter was a little too mature for my 9 year old so I'll report in a couple years when a bit older. But seriously, how she not love it with it's humor, intrigue, sharp dialogue and strong main characters - plus terrific B&W illustrations. My hope is she will be intrigued enough to read for about the characters and their actual work.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful.Alternative History's Tween Dynamic Duo
By Kristin J. Johnson
The world's first computer programmer and the future author of Frankenstein meet as brainy eccentric tweens in this utterly charming alternate history series debut that blends Sherlock Holmes and "The Big Bang Theory," science and the irresistible chain reaction of female friendship, derring-do and a comedy of manners, problem-solving and just plain getting into trouble, for example in a balloon contraption referred to in the opening chapter as "The Ridiculous Hat".Eleven-year-old Ada, Countess of Lovelace, needs schooling in manners and understanding people (after years she can't remember the name of a housemaid) whereas the more social Mary Godwin, fourteen and daughter of feminist Mary Wollstonecraft, needs schooling alongside Ada in science. The romantic-minded Mary, who is enthralled to meet one Charles Dickens on the carriage ride to Ada's manor, has the benefit of learning science and deduction alongside Ada (although not at first since Ada initially shuns the idea) from the tutor Ada calls Peebs, whose true identity is, well, terribly romantic. When Mary talks her way into Ada's confidence, she is introduced to the BLE ("bleh"), a calculating machine that is the Difference Engine conceived of by the real-life Charles Babbage and Ada. The Ada-Babbage relationship, by the way, is covered in Walter Isaacson's THE INNOVATORS, a book that posits innovation as a group effort rather than the romantic isolated genius: to wit, Ada, who at one point declares she is "full of tigers".Certainly Ada, who can never remember names and calls the Dickensian character Abernathy "Mr. Angrybunny" (one of several humorous moments), and Mary together are innovators in the field of private detectives. Mary smooths the way with their first client, a young gentlewoman trying to prove her maid is innocent of taking an engagement gift, while Ada is a genius but incredibly rude. However, she isn't the stereotypical obtuse scientist any more than Mary is a goodhearted milquetoast. Ada does care, has very good reasons for being the way that she is, and like Sheldon Cooper in "The Big Bang Theory," is just plain fun to hang with in spite of, or perhaps because of, her peccadilloes. Mary is a contradiction herself: the daughter of a feminist who is entirely too concerned with being proper: "A young lady needs to protect her reputation." Yet whether they are making deductions or venturing into the fearsome Newgate Prison in London, Ada and Mary complement each other extremely well.In real life, these two never had such a friendship: Ada was eighteen years Mary's senior. However, in this alternative history series that ventures almost into Victorian steampunk, Ada and Mary are an irresistible pair. Not only will this series spark interest in science, math and technology, it's incredibly fun. More, please!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful.Refreshing and fun book #1 of a series. Quick read with very charming characters.
By Quickbeam
I usually take a dim view of real life historical figures being jiggered into a fictional novel. This book however is delightful. Stratford goes to great lengths to add content distinguishing the real life women from his fictional depiction. This book is cheerful, fun and a terrific read for young middle schoolers. I'd say ages 10 to 12 would probably be the best fit.The story is a crime solving mystery with many improbable turns and twists. Mary and Ada are quite different from one another but form a lovely partnership. I really enjoyed how Stratford included Mesmer into the mix. I also found the fact that the story really revolved around 2 female characters refreshing. He worked hard to include enough real life facts about Ada and Mary that I found the book stimulating. I think this is a really fun beginning to a series and look forward to where it will go. Even if one child is intrigued enough to find out about the real Ada and Mary, the book will have admirably served.
