Kipper's Turn

Set in the late nineteenth century, it deals with the plight of young Kipper, penniless, on the run, and heading for a life of crime. As always with Marjorie Darke, the evocation of period is perfect and the characters are well drawn, but the plot itself is on the thin side and there seem to be more grown-ups with hearts of gold around than I would have expected in a den of thieves. For those just beginning to tackle longer stories alone.