The Pearl Thief

The Pearl Thief
Elizabeth Wein, 2017

New Release! I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for the purpose of review.

Premise: Prequel to Code Name: Verity. Julie is going home for the last summer on her grandparents' land; her grandfather has passed away and the estate is being sold. From the minute she arrives, however, she'll run across danger, adventure, and a deadly mystery.

This was not nearly such an emotional wringer as Code Name: Verity. In context, that's probably for the best.

What this is: a delightful historical mystery about an old Scottish family that is lush with historical detail, social commentary, and somewhat idealized adolescent yearning. I really enjoyed it.

If I didn't find Julie's narration utterly believable and enchanting, I might cast a side-eye at how well the protagonist navigates issues of discrimination, but I think it works. It helps that her attitudes are presented as a mixture of how she was raised and her personal stubbornness and morality, not as something that makes her necessarily special.

She's navigating not only mysterious goings-on around the estate but also the heart of a teenager. Her crush on a visiting scholar is an important part of her personal story, but not as affecting as her blended friendship/flirtation with Ellen, part of a family of travellers who risk being scapegoated for many of the summer's mysteries. [FYI: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_Gypsy_and_Traveller_groups]

Elizabeth Wein might still be the best writer of female friendship/love/undefined adoration working today.

Overall, a lovely story with characters you want more of.

4 Stars - A Very Good Book