Children's Writer, Book Reviewer, Teacher, Artist
I love Fleur Hitchcock's children's books and 'Mouse Heart' is another excellent fast-paced, suspenseful whodunit that she does so well. Like the 'Boy Who Flew' this is more of a period-piece. Set in the fictional reign of Queen Anne II at an old roundhouse style theatre at the port of Bristol, 'Mouse Heart' is uniquely atmospheric, theatrical in scope, with edge-of-your-seat thrills and suspense.
Mouse, a foundling, loves her pieced-together family at the Moth Theatre fiercely. When their leading man, Walter, is wrongly arrested for murder, Mouse swears she'll free him. But another member of the cast has a secret identity - as a ruthless killer. As Mouse's investigation leads her ever closer to their true, deadly nature, can she outwit them without losing everything she holds dear?
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Back in June, I was really lucky to take Years 4 & 5 from my school to Shakespeare's Globe in London. The children were in awe of the old theatre. So it's fabulous to see a children's book that sets the stage so reminiscent of these old places - it's just a brilliant setting for heightened drama and action, and Fleur Hitchcock really works that theatrical magic well. In short chapters and deceptively simple prose, Hitchcock paints vivid scenes of the Moth theatre and the surrounding port, bringing to life the dirt, the activity, noise and tension. On stage there's a cast of characters with rich lives, some villainous some not, and it is hugely enjoyable to read about them, guessing who the murderer is amidst the troupe of actors. Mouse herself is a wonderful protagonist: moral and caring but needing to grow a little braver to face the mounting, gruesome odds. As always, Hitchcock grabs the readers attention from the off, gripping and questioning until the climax of the book, which us also typical Hitchcock, with terrific, high-stakes action with added special-effects! It's a rip-roaring read!
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If 'The Boy Who Flew' was a fast-paced adventure with a Dickensian atmosphere, then 'Mouse Heart' is a fast-paced mystery with Shakespearean theatricality. Fleur Hitchcock is the perfect author to get children into crime stories. If they're too young for this, then I highly recommend Hitchcock's 'Clifftoppers' series first too. She has a fabulous way of drawing the reader into a mystery and not letting go. Great stuff.
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Thank you to Nosy Crow for sending my copy to review. Keep doing what you're doing!
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https://www.waterstones.com/book/mouse-heart/fleur-hitchcock/9781788009485
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