Judith Eagle

Judith Eagle is well established as a writer of middle grade adventures with a classic feel, and fans will be delighted with her excellent fourth novel, The Stolen Songbird. The songbird of the title is a painting, one of a series of three whose theft is at the centre of this lively tale. Part heist, part family mystery, The Stolen Songbird bounds along with great verve, plenty of twists, but also a lot of heart and compassion.

Ordinarily, Nell Magnificent is happy to avoid her parents at all costs. But when they announce they are on their way to Paris, Nell surprises them by begging to go along. She’s not planning on hanging around, though. Paris houses something very close to Nell’s heart … her old au pair, Perrine (Pear). Pear used to write to Nell every week, promising to rescue her from her life of misery, but the letters have stopped.