Fast-paced, witty, and utterly captivating, Clem Fatale Has Been Betrayed is a standout new middle-grade mystery with a unique setting and overflowing with charm. A clever twist on the “femme fatale” archetype, Clem is smart and tough. It’s 1951 and she’s London’s youngest crook. With a notorious jewel thief for a father, she’s an expert at making a plan, breaking into luxurious homes and talking her way out of sticky situations.

One night, a heist with the Spider Gang goes disastrously wrong. A mysterious attacker interrupts the job, Clem’s father vanishes, and in the chaos, the gang accidentally kidnaps Lord Weatherdale’s son, Gilbert. To make matters worse, the priceless Fool’s Canary—a yellow diamond carved into the shape of a bird—disappears without a trace.

Determined to uncover who double-crossed her father and find the diamond, Clem Fatale dives headfirst into London’s underworld. She knows every crook and cop in the city, but to unravel this mystery, she’ll have to think fast, stay sharp, and use every ounce of her grit and courage. Nothing will stop her.

Eve Wersocki Morris brings a fantastic cast of characters to life! From Jimmy Fatale—Clem’s cunning father and the mastermind behind the Spiders—to the tough as nails criminals Monty, Twizzler, and Screw, every member of the gang adds their own flair to the adventure. Then there’s Lynne Fatale, Clem’s haughty, cold mother, who struggles to understand her daughter. Each character plays a crucial role in the unfolding mystery, forcing Clem to question who she can truly trust—and whether anyone would dare betray her father and the gang. And then there’s Gilbert—naïve, wide-eyed, and utterly thrilled to be part of the action. Kidnapped in his pyjamas, he thinks this is the most exciting night of his life. With this unforgettable mix of characters, the story crackles with wit, charm, and nonstop intrigue.

Celebrating an intelligent, independent girl with love and loyalty at its heart, Clem Fatale Has Been Betrayed is perfect for fans on the Adventures on Trains series by MG Leonard and Sam Sedgman and the Libby mysteries by Jo Clarke. I can’t wait for Clem and Gilbert’s next adventure!

Set in London in 1951, Clem works with her father, a jewel thief, as part of the notorious Spider Gang. But when a mission to steal the Fool's Canary, one of the most prized jewels in London, goes wrong and Clem's dad goes missing, she is determined to find him. With only Gilbert to help, can she get to the bottom of things before it's too late?



Clem was my lunch date on Friday and she made the most excellent company! From the very beginning, the book is a rip-roaring adventure with twists and turns that are guaranteed to keep you reading (I genuinely couldn't put the book down and had finished it by Friday evening!). It's a fast-paced plot with giggles along the way and there are a heap of brilliant characters that you will love (with the odd one you'll love to hate!). The illustrations by Honie Beam enhance the story-line perfectly and I can't wait to see them in the book (I've read an early digital copy).

Clem is fiercely determined to save her dad and will stop at nothing. She's head-strong and loyal with a big heart and readers will adore her from the start. I loved the idea of the main character being a villain - so many detective/mysteries are told from the point of view of the victims so this was a refreshing change, especially as Clem is so likeable.

Much as I love Clem, for me Gilbert took the crown my absolute favourite character. His role as kidnapee/partner in crime (it depends on who you talk to!) was wonderful, and his chatter-box way and polite manner made him a rather funny chap that I couldn't help bit warm to (especially in his pyjamas!).

Without giving the plot away, I loved the 1950s setting and the insight some of the characters gave to attitudes at the time (Winnie in particular). The book will make the perfect class read and I can already imagine some interesting discussions coming from the plot (and also some brilliant accents for teachers to tackle!).

Clem Fatale Has Been Betrayed is publishing on the 3rd April and I'm already excited to see what this brilliant duo get up to next.

This book is amazing, all of the family loved it. The strong female lead inspired my grandaughters and my grandsons enjoy the excitement and the pace of the book. Will investigate more of this talented authors books.

It's been a long time since I read a YA book . I loved our FMC and her ambition and courage to save her father.
I highly recommend it for your child and you too if you want something to talk about with your children in common.
Huge thanks to NetGalley for an early copy.

Clem Fatale Has Been Betrayed by Eve Wersocki Morris – Book Review

In an early 50s London, Clem Fatale, the city's youngest criminal, is determined to find her missing father, Jimmy Fatale, the infamous jewel thief and leader of the Spider Gang. Not only has he disappeared, so has the Fool's Canary, London's greatest treasure. Clem, along with her accidental captive Gilbert, embarks on a thrilling chase through the London’s hidden criminal underbelly. From shady dive bars to glamorous manors, Clem and Gilbert find themselves pursued, but the question is, who is ally and who is enemy? Will Clem succeed in rescuing her father, or will her plans be thwarted?

Clem Fatale Has Been Betrayed by Eve Wersocki Morris is released on 3rd April 2025 by Little Tiger Books.

Clem is a marvellously witty, sassy, daring, big-hearted protagonist and I love her so much. She’s exactly the type of character you need to lead a series like this. There are so many facets to her and her character that she fascinated from page 1 to the end of this novel. I could read about her on a million adventures, and I find it hard to imagine a time where I’d get bored. She’s meticulously well-rounded and I commend Eve Wersocki Morris on this highly because I just keep saying ‘Oh she’s brilliant!’.

2025 may be shaping up to be the year of expert pacing as, like another book I reviewed this year, I read this book in 1 sitting because I. Could. Not. Put. It. Down. Like any true mystery fan, I wanted to see where the next clue was or if I could start to piece together my own conclusions so there was never a point where I thought I could put this down and step away. It’s brilliant snappy in its adventure and yet, on the other hand, I think it’s also one you could read in chunks to allow yourself the time to hypothesise your own ‘A-HA!’ moments. So whatever type of reader you are, this book will be wonderful for you.

Gilbert, Winnie, the Spider Gang, Norman Han, and all the secondary characters in this novel were exceptional additions, also. Are they somewhat characters you would expect to see in a 50s Noir-esque mystery adventure? Yes. Has Eve Wersocki Morris modernised them to a point where they all feel fresh? YES! Whilst I felt that some of these characters at first instance were those I’d seen before in books of yesteryear, there was a new take to them, which made it feel like the first time I’d met them. Another massive testament to Wersocki Morris’ fantastic ability as a storyteller.

Without giving too much of the narrative away (You know, I will always keep these reviews Spoiler Free if the book’s not on public release yet), I think humanity and community are at the heart of this novel and the 50s film noir, mystery aesthetic does everything to help that sparkle in dazzling technicolour. I was emotionally invested in not only Clem’s journey, but the journey of everyone she met (even a waitress in a greasy spoon).

With Clem Fatale Has Been Betrayed, Eve Wersocki Morris has gained herself a fan in myself and will gain thousands more on publication date. Clem is a protagonist who shines bright against a dark world and is EXACTLY the protagonist children need right now. I look forward to her second adventure in January 2026 and cannot wait to have more people to discuss the mystery with in April!

Yet another fabulous book by this author. Aimed at younger confident readers it is about Clem, the daughter of a notorious thief, and her search for her father, after he goes missing, when a heist goes wrong. With the help of Gilbert, the on of the burglary victim, she begins the search for her father, the missing jewel and the real villains behind the theft. Definitely a new twist on a crime story, where motive is a very important consideration. There are also some important thoughts about the attitudes toward immigrants after World War 2.