Member Reviews
In the third adventure of the Travelling School Mysteries, Libby and her Aunt Agatha Mousedale's travelling school are based in New York where they meet Libby's best friend's godmother, actress Eloise Fitzwilliam and her companion Count Alverez. There is also another new teacher at the school, Miss Khatun and a new girl, Anastasia who to Libby's disgust has to share a room with her and Connie.
This is another well plotted book and it was good to be able to join the believable and relatable characters again. In Libby's Manhattan Mystery we discover a few new things about their backgrounds. The illustrations were the perfect match gorgeous the text helping to bring the diverse range of characters to life. I also liked the map of New York and vignettes of the main characters at the front of the book.
The clues to the mystery take them to many of the iconic landmarks in New York including the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Times Square, Central Station and Central Library. I was totally immersed in the setting, reminding me of my own visit to New York especially as I was also lucky enough to ride in a helicopter.
The ideal book for all young cosy crime readers who love finding out more about major international cities. A great addition to primary school libraries.
When I started reading this fab mystery I didn't realise it was a series, now I have to go back and read the others!
Libby is an amazing protagonist full of character and bravery.
She is accompanied by her best friend Connie who is equally brilliant and they are helped out on their detective work by Noah and Seb.
Libby's travelling school has made their way to New York for this brilliant book. Connie and Libby have been tasked with helping Connie's godmother - Eloise organise a charity fundraiser. They are meant to be doing it to help out Eloise's friend Count Alvarez but Libby isn't quite sure about him...
Moor's illustrations work wonderfully with Clarke'a words and really bring the story to life.
With familiar villians from previous books, this face paced book will have the reader hooked from start to finish!
I may be biased as l adore a good detective/ mystery story but I would definitely recommend reading it!
This is a superb addition to the Libby series of mystery books. The usual gang are all together again but this time in Manhattan. I love the details about some of the famous landmarks which children could find out more about. The dynamics between the children are so realistic. I think this would be a super choice as a story time read.
This was a really enjoyable continue with the series. Loved the characters and their developement. The setting was brilliant and add to the adventure. A throughly enjoyable read for my 7 year old and I to read together. Libby is such a wonderful series and one which would hirely recommend.
I have loved both of the previous two books in this cute, action-packed series of middle-grade mysteries. So, I was really happy to get back to these characters and their next fantastic adventure.
Libby’s travelling school has landed in New York and they’re helping Connie’ godmother and famous actress Eloise Fitzwilliam plan a charity auction. But Libby thinks that Eloise’s friend Count Alvarez is a shady character. She just can’t figure out what it is about him. There also appears to be a familiar face watching them. Can Libby and her friends figure out what’s going on before it’s too late?
Becka Moor’s illustrations offer a lovely charming slant to the story and I loved seeing the Big Apple come to life around the characters. The combination of Clarke’s words and Moor’s artwork made it really easy for me to imagine them rushing around the city.
I loved the little sprinkles of history that I found out over the course of the story. It added an extra level of interest besides the mystery and I know so many young readers will love these little knowledge nuggets. I really wanted to know more of these immigrants’ stories, so I’ve no doubt that the book will inspire readers to learn more.
Count Alvarez is incredibly shady and I knew that an eye had to be kept on him. I didn’t see some of the other twists that the ending brought, which I really appreciated but Count Alvarez’s suspect behaviour and the mystery of the familiar face really kept the pages turning.
Anastasia is a new student this term and Libby doesn’t warm to her. Connie realises that it’s because Libby and Anastasia are very similar -smart and astute- and Libby appears to have a problem with it. I couldn’t really understand why Libby didn’t give her a proper chance. Perhaps she was just concerned that Connie would start to get closer to her but Libby never really clarified.
Libby and the Manhattan Mystery is another crazy, gripping adventure. I believe the next instalment will be set in Egypt, so I’m sure that will come with plenty more history lessons. The end of the Manhattan Mystery also hinted at us getting closer to Libby being reunited with her family which is super exciting. These books are perfect for kids who are interested in getting into mysteries, as they’re fast-paced, thought-provoking and very light-hearted.
Mystery storytelling at its finest. What a fabulous, fast paced story. I thoroughly enjoyed following Libby and her friends as they found themselves caught up in another adventure!
There is something so utterly charming about this mystery series. Perhaps it is the concept of a travelling school or the relatability of the characters or just the cosy and unthreatening atmosphere that Jo Clarke evokes in her writing, despite there being plenty of peril for Libby to contend with. Whatever, the secret ingredient is, this series has gone down a storm with both myself and my ten year old and this third instalment, set in New York, is full of danger and excitement...
Libby is looking forward to settling in New York for the next school term and things get off to an exciting start when Connie's godmother - famous actress Eloise Fitzwilliam - asks them to help her and her friend, Count Alverez, organise a charity auction. But Libby soon spots that Count Alverez is acting oddly and might not be all he seems. Is he planning something unsavoury or is there someone else behind the puzzling palava?
This is the perfect read for younger middle-grade readers or for anyone who just wants to cosy up and do a bit of sleuthing. The fact that each mystery is set in a different part of the world instantly makes the books exciting. Throw in food, friendship and the coolest boarding school you'll ever encounter and you have all the ingredients for a corker of an adventure. Just like with Alice Eclair, Spy Extraordinaire and other school detective novels for this age-group, there is also something reassuring in the format - each adventure is different and yet we know what we're getting. The level of peril is just right on the notch-dial and readers know they are in capable hands with Libby. I also really enjoyed the more personal mystery that Libby is encountering throughout the novels regarding her own family and this has left the series open to more interesting developments.
Another great adventure for Libby and the travelling school!
This time, Libby and her friends travel to Manhattan where they meet superstar Eloise (who is Connie's godmother) and her friend Count Alvarez. Libby suspects something isn't right and when mysterious things start happening she begins to worry that something terrible is going to happen at the charity auction they are helping to organise.
Some new characters in this story - a new classmate and a new teacher - really added to the drama and as you read, you weren't quite sure who to trust. The characters are really cleverly written and there's a great discussion to be had around making predictions of who they really are and what they are trying to do.
The adventure was gentle but exciting (it's always good to read a children's book for slightly younger readers that isn't full of danger) and the action in the last few chapters was particularly gripping.
A great series and this one is just as enjoyable as the previous two set in Paris and the Highlands.
In the third book of this absolutely brilliant mystery series for young sleuths about a school that travels the world, we find Libby and her class mates starting the new term in New York.
Joining Libby, her best friend Connie and the rest of the already fabulous cast of characters is Connie's glamorous godmother, Hollywood actress Eloise Fitzwilliam. She sweeps the girls into a new world full of excitement, but it is tainted slightly for Libby by the addition of a new girl in school. Anastasia. Popular, clever, one step ahead and always there leaving Libby feeling rather jealous.
But all other thoughts must be put to one side when a robbery occurs and a new mystery starts to unfold. And it all shows Libby that things - and people - aren't always what they appear to be.
If you haven't already discovered the Travelling School Mystery series then I highly suggest you put that right straight away!
There are three books to choose from which take you first to Paris then the Highlands of Scotland and now New York.
Each one is a gripping mystery story in its own right but, if you're already a fan, then you'll be delighted by the echoes of Jo Clarke's previous books that crop up in this new adventure.
Exceptional character development and brilliantly constructed plotting come together to make these books one of my very favourite series for middle grade readers.
The addition of Becca Moor's vibrant illustrations make them even more of a treat.
This was a really lovely story. It might have made more sense had I read the previous ones, but nevertheless I really enjoyed it. It's about a group of school children trying to solve a case against the wishes/behind the backs of their teachers. They come up with interesting ideas for catching the culprit and there's a lot of teamwork going on. It had Murder Most Unladylike and Adventures on Trains vibes, but maybe for a slightly younger audience. The pictures were great, they really added to the story. I'm definitely going to read the first books now as well.
First up, thank you for allowing me to read this one! Sadly, I just wasn't able to finish it. Maybe I will give it another shot when it releases. For now I just wasn't a fan of the MC and her jealousy towards the new girl, though the new girl also was hard and bleh because she was such a freaking know-it-all (one of my most disliked traits in characters) and just seemed to be out to be rude towards Libby.
2 stars because I love the cover, the illustrations, the building mystery.
Libby, Connie and the rest of the school have finally arrived in New York and things get exciting from the second they arrive with Connie's godmother, Eloise Fitzwilliam, who just happens to be a major Hollywood star, waiting at the arrivals hall for them as they land. Libby and Connie are whisked away to enjoy a bit of luxury, joined by Eloise's friend Count Alvarez who also just happens to be at the airport. Before dropping him at his office, they are treated to a tour of the city before heading to the hotel where Eloise lives. When the girls finally settle into school life, they discover two new arrivals: new student Anastasia who shares Libby and Connie's bedroom, and Miss Khatun, a new teacher who seems determined to thwart their fun at any costs. Part of their time is spent helping Eloise organise a charity auction but when Count Alvarez goes missing, the girls are determined to get to the bottom of the mystery.
I am a big fan of the Travelling School Mysteries and just love the idea of a school that moves from city to city where the lessons are far from conventional - it sounds like great fun! Add the mysteries that seem to follow Libby and Connie, and you have a series that is very much shaping up to be utterly unmissable.
Libby is a wonderful character and her curious nature continues to shine through, but you see a different side to Libby in this book as she finds herself feeling jealous when Anastasia arrives. Worried that Connie is being very friendly, she is scared that her best friend will be taken away from her and, as such, treats Anastasia quite differently to Connie when they first began sharing a room. The dynamic would certainly spark some interesting conversations with children whilst reading it.
As ever with this wonderful series, the mystery is one that enthrals and grips in equal measure, with twists to keep you guessing and a setting that will make you want to hop on a plane (I found myself picturing the major sites as the girls visited and Becca Moore's illustrations are the perfect accompaniment). I couldn't put the book down!
Publishing, on the 4th January, Libby and the Manhattan Mystery is the perfect antidote to the post-Christmas blues. Now I just have to count down the days until I can read Libby and the Egyptian Escapade!
It’s delightful to be back with Libby and her friends as they embark on their next big adventure! The travelling school has landed in a new location – New York City! Everything is larger than life and so exciting!
Jo Clarke has a wonderful talent for pulling readers right into the story. Each clue is hidden under layers of brilliant characterisation and settings that ignite the imagination. New York comes alive with its yellow taxis, skyscrapers and other significant landscapes.
The children spend time with Eloise (Connie’s glamorous godmother) and her suspicious friend, Count Alvarez. When the count’s fundraising money is stolen, they know it’s time to do some investigating. Uncovering secret identities, wearing disguises, and even trying out some accents lead them on a dangerous journey to discover the truth!
Libby and the Manhattan Mystery is the third book in this outstanding series. We feel like we’re really getting to know Libby now with her intelligence, loyalty to her friends and determination to solve each mystery. She doesn’t hesitate when facing real risk. Readers are left challenged, with the promise of even more mystery to come in the next book.
Thank you so much to Firefly Press for this fantastic book!
Thoroughly enjoyed being back on another detective mission with Libby and her classmates. With a new teacher and a new classmate in the mix, detecting proved a little trickier this time around and I loved the relationships between these new characters and the established ones.
The New York setting was exciting and left a lot of intrigue and I liked the way the writer used elements of the city as part of the clues - it made it feel like the city was a character too.
Of course dastardly deeds must be foiled and I’d expect no less from Libby and her friends than a neat resolution and baddies brought to justice. However, the addition of the unraveling of the mystery of what Libby’s mum has been doing this whole time was both heartfelt and created yet more intrigue.
Looking forward to travelling to Egypt next!
Libby's travelling school takes her to Manhattan this term but even before the term starts, a new acquaintance bring too many questions.
I enjoyed that this mystery was built from lots of little things being off and giving you the sense that something was up rather than there being a big event (like a murder or a theft) that then had to be solved. It meant the mystery is about three things: what is happening, why it's happening, and who's behind it. The other form of a mystery only really focuses on the last two items.
The travelling school element of this series lets each book be set in a different location, and Jo Clarke continues to use her new settings to great advantage. There are world famous icons like the Empire State here, but also some lesser known features like a whispering gallery in Grand Central Station which lends itself very well to the mystery genre.
There's a new student at the school this term, Anastasia, and Connie being Connie is very friendly. This leads Libby to be a bit jealous. It was nice to have a new classmate join the cast and to use her to explore what that can do to friendships. I hope she becomes part of the mystery solving crew for the next book!
There's also a new teacher at the school and she's very determined to keep an eye on Libby and co. It doesn't make mystery solving easy, and there's more to Miss Khatun than meets the eye. I suspect she will also be a returning character with a mystery around her...
Next book is set in Egypt! I am looking forward to it.
****Spoiler alert****
I've chosen not to give a plot run through, and get straight to the nitty gritty.
In this third and definitely best adventure yet, we get embroiled in a plot that brings hints and flashes of adult adventure movies of past and present. With chases (through kitchens and train stations), heists, good guys and bad, and some scary underground shenanigans, there is a hearty Big Apple tang for the young mind to sink its teeth into and enjoy.
It is hard to show everything and every angle to life in NY in such a short and pacy story, but I loved the potted vibe and taste of NY that Jo achieved.
In many respects this seems like a concluding book, with many threads being drawn and tied together. But, here's the thing, in so doing, it opens out once more and the next adventure is already on the cards. As to who will feature and where it will be set, I'll let the reader find out for themselves. It does promise a lot though...
So . . . . Crunch time.
This is a must-have for fans, who I firmly believe won't be disappointed. An ideal Christmas/festive season gift. I like this series so much, I'll be there ready and waiting to review the next adventure for you.
Mysteries are my favourite genre to read of all time and I fell in love with Libby, Connie and the idea of a travelling school from book 1.
We have been with Libby for three terms, one full year of school and each term adds a new part of the world and a new mystery to solve. We began in Paris, then headed to the Highlands of Scotland and this time were in the Big Apple, NYC!.
Libby trusts her gut instincts and can sniff out a mystery well before the reader is even caught up- a true mark of writing genius. She, Connie, Noah and Seb all find themselves jumping in without asking questions for the greater good of solving a myserty,
In NYC, Connie’s godmother, Eloise is a famous actress and her good friend Count Alvarez has a mysterious air about him. Libby is suspicious and begins to investigate slyly until the full extent of the mystery is revealed and the team leap into action.
They discover a familiar face is involved and the shock of them being in the same place again is too coincidental to believe. Libby needs to be meticulous in her plan to catch a thief but she finds herself distracted by new student Anastasia, and the lack of news from her mum.
I love these stories and the ending is more of a beginning for more from this series. Can’t wait to discover where the school, and students might head for the new school year!
A delightful story about how two best friends Connie and Libby travel to New York and solve a mystery there. The characters are very relatable. I think my students would love this.
the author continues to captivate us with her stories of a travelling school, where there always seems to be a crime to be solved. We have been to Paris and Edinburgh and now we are in New York (Manhattan to be precise) and we get a real sense of the big city, with all of the hustle and bustle. a fabulous five star read.
Another delightful page-turner from the queen of cosy crime for kids! My daughter (almost 8) is completely obsessed with this series and I just know she's going to love this literary trip to New York City!