The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency series is one that I loved and enjoy reading. Jordan Stratford takes two historical figures to create a new exciting, fast paced series that I truly enjoyed. The stories have Victorian, steampunk, supernatural vibes and the characters are all so much fun to follow. The illustrations give the stories a special touch and they are beautiful, we also get maps, I love a book with maps! it makes it easy to see how far they traveled. I really do recommend this series to readers of all ages.
The Case of The Missing Moonstone, Book 1
- Author: Jordan Stratford / Illustrations by Kelly Murphy
- Published: January 6th, 2015
- Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf / Knopf books for Young Readers
- Ratings: 4/5
Book Synopsis
One Stolen necklace, one false confession, and two determined detectives!
Lady Ada Byron is a genius. Mary Godwin has a talent for noticing things. Together, they form the secret and clandestine Wollstonecraft Detective Agency.
They may look like innocent young girls, but to solve the case of a stolen necklace, Ada and Mary will break into Newgate Prison, doge suspicious men wearing fezzes, tell a few smallish lies, and pursue the thief by hot-air balloon.
Clever criminals of London, beware!
My thoughts
This was a fun, fast pace enjoyable read. I loved the steampunk vibe and all the historical details in this story. The author took two historical figures, Ada Byron who is known as the world’s first computer programmer and Mary Shelley, the world’s first science-fiction author, and created a perfect action, mystery filled story. I couldn’t just put this book down so i finished it in one sitting. We also get a young Charles Dickens and other side interesting characters. At the end of the book we get the notes from Jordan Stratford clarifying the historical facts and changes in the story. I loved this book and the friendship.
The Case of The Girl in Grey, Book 2
- Author: Jordan Stratford / Illustrations by Kelly Murphy
- Published: January 5th, 2016
- Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf / Knopf books for Young Readers
- Ratings: 4/5
Book Synopsis
One fiendish fiance, One suspicious specter, and two determined detectives!
The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency was supposed to be a secret! But all of London knows that Lady Ada Byron and Miss Mary Godwin are the ones to call on if you have a problem.
Their new case is a puzzle indeed. it involves a missing will, a hasty engagement, and a haunted crypt.
Crime and crypts and clues – oh my!
My thoughts
The adventures continue in this second installment, I loved the first book and this one was no different. Ada and Mary take on a new case and I like the supernatural vibe on this one. Charles Dickens is still in the story helping both girls solve the mystery. We get some sisters now joining the agency and I have to say I found them to be a bit annoying but the story overall was enjoyable and I have to say this story is my favorite one so far.
The Case of the Counterfeit Criminals, Book 3
- Author: Jordan Stratford / Illustrations by Kelly Murphy
- Published: January 24th, 2017
- Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf / Knopf books for Young Readers
- Ratings: 4/5
Book Synopsis
The famous fossil hunter Mary Anning is being blackmailed!
Mysterious thieves have stolen Mary’s dog – to get him back, she must lie about some fake dinosaur bones and pretend they are the genuine article.
This could be the Wollstonecraft detectives’ most important case yet. They have just three days to track down the dastardly fakers, and save the integrity of science.
The game is afoot: blood-sucking leeches, smoke bombs and diabolical disguises abound. Can our young detectives outfox the counterfeit criminals?
My thoughts
I’m not sure if this is the last book in the series, but I liked the Sherlock Holmes vibes. I liked that Charles Dickerson gets a bit more screening time and the girls at back at it with a brand new case to solve. For some reason this story felt rush but still great not my favorite one I have to say book 2 The Case of the Girl in Grey is so far my favorite one in the series. The illustrations on this book kind of creep me out, the story creep me out but I like how all the characters came together to try and stop the criminals, they each knew the role they need to play to accomplish the work.
Overall, this is a great series, fun, fast paced full of adventure and amazing characters. I hope there are more stories to come.
Chapters We Love 
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