The Midwatch by author and illustrator Judith Rossell and published by Hardie Grant is an exceptional middle grade mystery full of adventure with a cast of determined, inventive, courageous girls who work together and use their unique skills to solve mysteries. This hardback novel is an exquisite, enticing and sumptuous production, a perfect invitation to get lost in the pages of this spellbinding adventure.
The Midwatch Institute for Orphans, Runaways and Unwanted Girls is a place where all is not as it seems and appearances can be deceiving. Maggie Fishbone is banished from the orphanage in Mud Harbour after an unfortunate incident and escorted by one of the stern nuns to The Midwatch, a place that fills Maggie with intense dread. She believes her existence will now consist of nothing but drudgery and misery. Her worst-case fears are realised when upon her arrival she observes girls walking solemnly in a single line, eyes cast down and clothed in long, grey hooded cloaks. Maggie does not arrive alone, two other girls, Nell and Sofie, are also dropped off at The Midwatch.
It soon becomes apparent that The Midwatch is a clandestine operation where the girls are all part of a team, they have each other’s backs and their days are anything but mundane as they learn skills to solve mysteries. Set in the 1920s, where airships float across the skies, skyscrapers climb high and a time where jewels shimmered with opulence and glamour. At the Midwatch the girls study subjects such as Maps, Fencing, Observing, Contriving and Hiding to name a few of the timetabled classes.
The three girls are given new clothes (the grey hooded cloaks are only for when visitors are present, or when new girls arrive to keep up the illusion that this is a place where girls will be taught how to behave under the strictest of conditions) They also receive dolls which at first they feel are babyish, but these are not any ordinary dolls, they have hidden latches and secret compartments full of tools and equipment a detective requires when solving a case, for example, one of the arms can be twisted off to become a screw driver, one leg is a little telescope. This is all part of the deception, people would never suspect a girl holding a doll could pose any sort of threat or be a concern.
If people in the city want to solve a crime they approach The Midwatch as they have an excellent reputation for getting to the bottom of any mystery. A new mystery presents for the girls as Dr Entwhistle seeks the help of The Midwatch upon receiving a letter from his dear friend Miss Fenchurch saying that she has left the city and has no definite date for when she will return. This is highly out of character for Miss Fenchurch, especially given she did not mention this to Dr Entwhistle in any of their conversations. Dr Entwhistle is also highly concerned that the short note contains numerous spelling mistakes, something he knows Miss Fenchurch would not normally do. It’s all very peculiar and alarming.
The girls are put on the case. Their exemplary teamwork skills are put to the test and each of them has an opportunity to use their unique strengths and talents to contribute to being part of cracking the case. As they uncover the clues and inch closer to finding answers, danger is imminent and escalates as they are hot on the heels of working out where Miss Fenchurch is. They need to employ all of their skills, act quickly, respond to threats and be very resourceful to stay safe and resolve the case. Along the way dramatic developments unfold, they discover more about the night time monster who has been terrorising residents on the north side of the city, they find an exquisite, opulent dragonfly jewelled brooch hidden in a book in the library and become acquainted with a former foe of Miss Mandelay, who runs the Midwatch.
Peppered throughout the book are magnificent, detailed illustrations often capturing the setting of this fictional city and they add another layer to the story. They are truly captivating and will have readers lingering on the pages, taking in and appreciating all of the astonishing details.
This suspenseful book is a stand out, full of adventure, twists and turns. It shows the power of solidarity and the positive outcomes the girls experience as they are a constant source of support to each other.