The Dangerous Discoveries of Gully Potchard

When Gully meets Agnes Glass, the over-protected daughter of his employer’s best customer, he little realises their friendship will not only lead to danger and adventure, but also to the discovery of a very useful gift; for Gully can ‘find’ things that are lost He can ‘see’ them. This will prove to be crucial as Gully becomes embroiled against his will in the criminal plans of Nathan Boldree. How will it end?

This is Julia Lee’s second book, and once again features the wonderfully chaotic Marvel  family. They are characters that readers will want to meet again and again from the flamboyant Tiffany trying to establish a career as a dancer to the self-sufficient Impey – and, of course, Gully with his unusual gift. Set against a Victorian background, the plot is as over-dressed as the period. However, it moves at such a pace the reader cannot help but be swept up and swept along in the action. The twist and turns are labyrinthine – but it all ends well. A lively style presenting lively characters all a bit larger than life makes this a thoroughly enjoyable read for confident readers in KS2 moving to KS3. I look forward to more.