The Stolen Songbird

Judith Eagle, whose background includes fashion editing and librarianship, first appeared on the middle grade historical fiction scene in 2019. Inspired by her love of stories she’d devoured as a child including Joan Aiken’s The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, she resolved to create ‘a mystery adventure full of twists and turns and unexpected happenings;. This resulted in The Secret Starling influenced by her childhood in the 1970s.

Her fourth middle grade adventure The Stolen Songbird, takes place in late 1950s London. Aspiring gymnast Caro, who lives in a London pub with her two mothers and adores her pet rabbit His Nibs, is plunged into peril when she has to go on a sudden journey and comes across a mysterious package in her mother’s old suitcase. Family secrets, high stakes and dangerous decisions ensue as she must rely on her wits and tenacity to keep safe all she holds dear.

Eagle writes dramatic high octane scenes tangled up with surprising developments and displays her knowledge of art and fashion. Her protagonists are plucky and bold although some of her plot points stray into tired trope territory such as the gloomy house, the crotchety relative with the sad past, the lonely boy, a case of mistaken identity, the bullies and the kind stranger.

Some of her secondary characters remain ciphers and her villains veer towards Teddy Boys crossed with Kray Brothers gangster style pantomime. That said, the story is quirky and entertaining with good diversity, and some interesting historical facts. It’s just a slow burner which may cause some readers to lose interest in certain places. Children who enjoy a mix of mystery and action will appreciate it.