This was such a fun mystery novel, especially for a middle-grade book! I love that it explored important themes—family, friendship, justice—and I want to see more of this in novels for younger readers!

Really enjoyed this book. Perfect for Year 6 readers who enjoy a dollop of mystery with their history.

Nancy’s usually forthright, no-nonsense mother is behaving strangely: could it really be linked to the imminent appearance of Halley’s Comet, which has various panic-stricken theories filling the newspapers? An unexpected trip to Bury St Edmunds and her grandfather’s home, with instructions to “be good and not ask too many questions” do nothing to quell Nancy’s unease, and the strange events that follow, her mother’s evasiveness and nuggets of information overheard in passing combine to make her determined to find out what is going on.
An ingenious mystery set around one of the most recognisable building in my home town, it was pretty likely I would enjoy this book, and I was not disappointed. The characters are engaging, the girls’ confusion at their mother’s change in behaviour is realistic and the plot is deftly organised and recounted in a style that echoes the books of the time in which the action takes place, albeit with a more modern idiom. I know there are many readers in our school library who will enjoy it just as much as I did.

If you love middle-grade adventures, Edwardian settings, and mysterious occurrences, then The Mystery of the Night Watchers is one you should definitely read.

The year is 1910 and the people of England eagerly await Halley's Comet which won't be seen again as closely for another 60+ years. In the midst of the anticipation, Nancy and her sister Violet unexpectedly travel to Suffolk to stay with a grandfather they didn't know existed. Their mother explicitly tells them to remain hidden. In the dead of night, Nancy spots her mother and grandfather stalking the streets under cover of darkness. Despite telling Nancy they are here because of the comet, Nancy is suspicious and attracts the help of a local boy to track down the mysteries and discover why the town can never know of their existence.

This is an escapist read that thrusts you back in time and takes you on a fast-paced adventure through the streets of Edwardian England. It has all the elements of a historical mystery - a true event (the approach of Halley's comet which some scientists believed carried a noxious gas causing widespread panic), two young protagonists who do everything in their power to find answers, and a nasty villain that the two plan to bring to justice.

Though it felt a little like a Scooby-Doo sketch with many chapters ending with "if only we could work out the mystery!" it had a well-planned plot, some good twists, and loveable characters. I especially enjoyed the setting and atmosphere - this is one of my favourite periods to read about and even more so when there are true events tied in.

3.5 stars

I read this to my daughter over the course of a couple of weeks, she absolutely loved it. She loved getting to learn about haleys comet and the suffragette movement in an interesting way, rather than it being just from a text book. Having the mystery element of this book kept her transfixed throughout.

This was such a good read!! I absolutely loved the characters, the humour, the depth, all of it. I would recommend this to any young reader.

Another great historical mystery from A. M. Howell. The kids in this book were brilliant and I loved the messages about using your voice and standing up for what's right.

12-yr-old Nancy is certain something is amiss when, instead of taking her on the school run, her mother takes her, and her little sister Violet, on a trip to Bury St Edmonds to visit a grandfather she knows nothing about. She is not convinced by her mother's cover story, that they are there to see the 1910 passing of Hailey's comet, the historical background against which this book is set.
With her mother and grandfather conducting hushed conversations that dry up whenever Nancy and Violet appear, and a set of rules that forbid them from leaving the house or making any noise, A.M. Howell truly captures the frustration a child might feel when the adults in their lives pretend everything is well, when it clearly isn't.
But Nancy isn't prepared to take a back seat, courageous and a believer that girls can do anything, she sets out to discover why her mother has been hiding her past, and what has brought her back there in such a hurry.
With the help of her sister and new friend Burch, Dafne is drawn deeper into the town's past and eventually stumbles upon a thread that leads her on a journey of discovery - of her mother's family, and the truth about her own.
The settings of this book are vivid and inviting, from the beautiful old house with the observatory at the top, and the tinctures and plants of her grandfathers apothecary shop below. The real places and buildings featured, and the population split between fear and wonder over the passing of the comet, add to the mystery and charm of this novel. Mystery of The Nightwatchers is a gripping, twisty tale, and Nancy is a fabulous role-model!

Ann-Marie Howell is a fantastic writer of historical mysteries and this book does not disappoint. I loved the premise of it and I loved being immersed in the time and place. The characters were engaging and charming and the mystery was intriguing from the start. This is quite an emotive book, at its heart it is about family and loss. It’s another great addition to the genre.

I have loved previous works by Howell and this one was no different. It was perfect to read on a cosy and gloomy Sunday afternoon! The story was entertaining, the characters extremely loveable, and I simply could not put it down. Can highly recommend this one!

I liked this mystery well enough but I just did not really connect to the main characters. I liked the story, liked the mystery, liked the atmosphere but the characters annoyed me a bit.

I was drawn in from the very beginning, what a masterful piece of middle grade fiction. The perfect read to curl up with and I learned quite a bit about the time period and what was going on around 1910.

I was transported back in time and felt as though I was part of the family. Nancy was a really relatable character and I find kids will take a lot from her as the main heroine of the novel.

Overall a wonderfully, atmospheric read that will stay with me for a long time.

I rather interesting book for younger readers. I found the plot to be unique and different. kept me engaged but by the end I had no intention of reading again or recommending to anyone so although its a good read maybe not the best

This is the first book I’ve read that is in the Y/A genre and I did enjoy it. It had a mystery to be solved and the fact that it was uncovered by children would appeal to those of a similar age. Nancy is 12 years old and her sister Violet is 7 yrs of age. They meet a new friend, Burch, who maybe about two years older. There are also morals to the story of truthfulness and honesty and standing up for what is right. It would also provide insight to the life of children at this time and the expected lifestyle for women. I’m sure that most would find it to be an entertaining read. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Licensed apothecary, Laurence Greenstone is being treated very poorly by the nasty mayor, Then his daughter

and two granddaughters, Nancy and Violet come to stay in Cupola House, There is a reason for their visit.

Set in 1910, as Halley's Comet sweeps through the night skies amidst fears of poisonous gases and other

catastrophies, our two detective sisters try to solve a far more dangerous puzzle within their own family.

This is a wonderful, atmospheric book, full of tension and suspicion.. We are whisked away to beautiful

descriptions of Edwardian England, to discover secrets and follow the clues. . Mysterious and engaging - a great

read.

What an extraordinary story set around the waiting and watching of a comet. It involves two young sisters who travel with their mother to visit a grandfather the girls have never met. They discover that many secrets are being kept from them and plan to resolve all the wrongs they come across. It’s a beautiful book which shows the true is always best - I really enjoyed it.

This was a fun little historical story set in the early 20 Century at the passing of Halley's comet.
If you enjoyed such books like Malamander by Thomas Taylor or even Anne of Green Gables I'd suggest picking this up.

For me the main aspects I enjoyed were the friendships formed while unravelling the mystery and the themes of sisterhood, which is something I think would be really lovely for younger readers.
I did wish, perhaps, that there was a little more description of atmosphere and setting within this book. However, this just might be my personal taste.

As a guide I think would be a good pick for children in the 8-12 category.

I really enjoyed this story. Lovely characters. Lovely writing. And very easy to get into.
I loved the historical setting - it had me reaching for my phone to google if people really did believe in 1910 that the gases in the tail of Halley's comet were going to poison everyone as I'd never heard that before - and I liked the tone of the book.
My only criticism was that sometimes it felt a bit repetitive, slow even. The protagonist seemed to mull over her conundrum but I felt she'd mulled it over already. I did skim read a few pages because of this. As an adult reader, that's fine but I wonder if children would have the patience to persist with the book.

With my new obsession with middle-grade, this book gave me everything I wanted and more.
I'm not big on historical fiction as of late, but the premise of this book sounded simply fascinating. Taking place during the passing of Haley's Comet it is interesting to look at this fascinating event through the eyes of a kid at the time. To get swept up in the story and become as invested in the outcome as the person you're following. Not many books manage to do this but A.M. Howell did it almost effortlessly. The book did start off a bit slow but if you stick with it you'll be rewarded with a phenomenal book & reading experience. I will definitely be looking to read more from this author.

Nancy lives a seemingly happy life in Edwardian London with her Mum, Step-Dad and half-sister Violet. Suddenly, a few days before the much anticipated appearance of Halley’s Comet, her mum diverts from their walk to school and takes the girls to Bury St Edmonds, where they meet the grandfather they’d previously been told was dead. Living in an old apothecary, Nancy starts to discover the town is full of secrets, and as she and Violet must remain out of sight she realises her family are at the centre of the biggest secret.
With the help of her new friend - delivery boy Burch - Nancy sets out to uncover the secret and make the town a safer and happier place for all to live.

I really liked the sense of place, from Nancy home in London, if the railway journey to Bury St Edmonds, and if the town itself. The apothecary building was described so evocatively I could picture it, right down to the leaves of the herbs grown by Grandfather.

The setting if Halley’s Comets appearance was also incredibly effective. There was a lot of fake news and fear surrounding the comet and it’s toxic gasses, coupled with the excitement of seeing something alien in the night sky.

The characterisation was also really well drawn, I hope never to meet a character as shady as the Mayor in real life! Nancy was a warm and engaging protagonist, and her love for her family, and the growth of her character was clear and believable.

Overall, I found this to be a really well done middle grade novel - with just the right level of drama, and a perfect balance between characters, setting and adventure. It even got my heart racing in fear for the way the climax would turn out! Recommended.