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Code Name Verity #1
The Pearl Thief
Before Verity…there was Julie.
When fifteen-year-old Julia Beaufort-Stuart wakes up in the hospital, she knows the lazy summer break she’d imagined won’t be exactly like she anticipated. And once she returns to her grandfather’s estate, a bit banged up but alive, she begins to realize that her injury might not have been an accident. One of her family’s employees is missing, and he disappeared on the very same day she landed in the hospital.
Desperate to figure out what happened, she befriends Euan McEwen, the Scottish Traveller boy who found her when she was injured, and his standoffish sister, Ellen. As Julie grows closer to this family, she experiences some of the prejudices they’ve grown used to firsthand, a stark contrast to her own upbringing, and finds herself exploring thrilling new experiences that have nothing to do with a missing-person investigation.
Her memory of that day returns to her in pieces, and when a body is discovered, her new friends are caught in the crosshairs of long-held biases about Travellers. Julie must get to the bottom of the mystery in order to keep them from being framed for the crime.
When fifteen-year-old Julia Beaufort-Stuart wakes up in the hospital, she knows the lazy summer break she’d imagined won’t be exactly like she anticipated. And once she returns to her grandfather’s estate, a bit banged up but alive, she begins to realize that her injury might not have been an accident. One of her family’s employees is missing, and he disappeared on the very same day she landed in the hospital.
Desperate to figure out what happened, she befriends Euan McEwen, the Scottish Traveller boy who found her when she was injured, and his standoffish sister, Ellen. As Julie grows closer to this family, she experiences some of the prejudices they’ve grown used to firsthand, a stark contrast to her own upbringing, and finds herself exploring thrilling new experiences that have nothing to do with a missing-person investigation.
Her memory of that day returns to her in pieces, and when a body is discovered, her new friends are caught in the crosshairs of long-held biases about Travellers. Julie must get to the bottom of the mystery in order to keep them from being framed for the crime.
326 pages, Hardcover
First published May 2, 2017
About the author
Elizabeth Wein
40 books3,059 followersTIME magazine has put Code Name Verity on its list of "100 Best YA books of All Time."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,116 reviews
July 14, 2017
I enjoyed this, not quite as much as CNV, but I still really enjoyed it! It was awesome to get some backstory on Julie, she's such an interesting character. Overall a great read!
September 12, 2017
You can find my full review on United by Pop.
Set in 1930s Britain, this focuses on Lady Julia’s return to her grandparents regal home, in the summer of her fifteenth year. However, she isn’t here for a holiday. With the death of her grandfather and the accumulation of a lifetime of debt, the house is to be sold and converted into a school. Julia is to assist her family in organising their ancestral belongings and heirlooms. Further troubles are heaped on this broken family when Julia is struck by a mysterious assailant, forcing her into a coma and resulting in memory loss.
This story had the feel of another timeless classic, To Kill a Mockingbird. The focus of the plot seemed to be about one thing, but was actually addressing larger social issues in a powerful and positive way. Wein’s upfront and unapologetic writing was sometimes witty and sometimes thrilling, but always raw and poignant. She did not deliver just one story, but a multitude of stories all bundled into one narrative.
Set in 1930s Britain, this focuses on Lady Julia’s return to her grandparents regal home, in the summer of her fifteenth year. However, she isn’t here for a holiday. With the death of her grandfather and the accumulation of a lifetime of debt, the house is to be sold and converted into a school. Julia is to assist her family in organising their ancestral belongings and heirlooms. Further troubles are heaped on this broken family when Julia is struck by a mysterious assailant, forcing her into a coma and resulting in memory loss.
This story had the feel of another timeless classic, To Kill a Mockingbird. The focus of the plot seemed to be about one thing, but was actually addressing larger social issues in a powerful and positive way. Wein’s upfront and unapologetic writing was sometimes witty and sometimes thrilling, but always raw and poignant. She did not deliver just one story, but a multitude of stories all bundled into one narrative.
November 25, 2017
Unfortunately a disappointing read in the end. I was fascinated by some of the historical material and loved learning about Scottish Travellers and river mussel pearls which kept my interest in the early parts of the novel. But the characters and the narrative itself fell flat. I never felt emotionally invested in any of the characters nor did the central mystery add any tension. No one really came alive; in fact the place felt more alive than the people. I wonder if others' glowing reviews of this are affected by the fact that they know Julia (and possibly other characters?) from previous novels set after this one chronologically (I haven't read them).
It often felt like one of those plots where the protagonist doesn't really do much but just has things happen to them. The whole amnesia plot facilitates that, giving Julia new clues every so often through no detective work of her own but just because she suddenly remembers.Overall it just wasn't an intellectually or emotionally stimulating read.
The treatment of bisexuality was very blase, which I guess in one way is nice that it wasn't made a big deal of but on the other hand felt very strange for a 15-year-old girl of landed gentry background in 1939 Scotland. I don't want to say that I wished there has been tormented anguish or homophobia or something, but it felt off that Julia went off kissing girls and boys and was completely unaffected by societal homophobia, biphobia, and indeed sexism that all would have told her what she was doing was sinful, not a woman's role, slutty, etc. In this way it feels a bit like an historical novel with a 21st century socialized heroine except even today it would be unusual for a teen girl in the western world to be kissing girls and not at least thinking about what that means??
It often felt like one of those plots where the protagonist doesn't really do much but just has things happen to them. The whole amnesia plot facilitates that, giving Julia new clues every so often through no detective work of her own but just because she suddenly remembers.Overall it just wasn't an intellectually or emotionally stimulating read.
The treatment of bisexuality was very blase, which I guess in one way is nice that it wasn't made a big deal of but on the other hand felt very strange for a 15-year-old girl of landed gentry background in 1939 Scotland. I don't want to say that I wished there has been tormented anguish or homophobia or something, but it felt off that Julia went off kissing girls and boys and was completely unaffected by societal homophobia, biphobia, and indeed sexism that all would have told her what she was doing was sinful, not a woman's role, slutty, etc. In this way it feels a bit like an historical novel with a 21st century socialized heroine except even today it would be unusual for a teen girl in the western world to be kissing girls and not at least thinking about what that means??
December 11, 2016
My blog review:
Elizabeth Wein's books offer so much. The worlds she creates are remarkable in their textures; whether they are set in actual historical pasts or fantasy historical pasts, they are rich with touches large and small that bring the worlds alive for readers. She does something similar with characters, making them complex, flawed, and vivid whether they are the ones we care deeply about, those that terrify us, or simply those a bit more on the fringe of the story. All of them feel fully rounded, ones we readers inhabit fully as we read. Then there is plot --- Wein is a master at creating complex, driving, tangled, twisty, and unpredictable plots. Lastly, there is emotion, and not just for the characters --- these are books that set readers' hearts pounding, produce gasps of astonishment, smiles at the wit, and tears of joy and sadness.
Among Wein's works are two novels set during Word War II: the jaw-dropping, gasp-inducing Code Name Verity and the equally dramatic and heartrending Rose Under Fire. Now we have The Pearl Thief, a prequel to Code Name Verity, featuring a much younger Julie. I admit I was a bit wary starting the novel, wondering if Wein was pushing too far with the same characters , but I needed have worried. This work is marvelous, as fully realized in all its facets as all the others. While the book isn't out for a while yet, I wanted to get my thoughts down now (in a spoiler free way of course) so as not to have them drift away and to, hopefully, excite those of you waiting for it.
It is 1938 as the story begins and we meet fifteen-year-old Julie heading home to her family's Scottish estate from her Swiss boarding school for the summer. The death of her grandfather and the need to pay off his extensive debt has meant that the estate has been sold and is being turned into a school. And so Julie's return is bittersweet, her family occupying a few rooms of the place temporarily until they move out for good. Shortly after her arrival she lands in the hospital, having been hit on the head by an unknown assailant and then saved by local Travelers. Things and people go missing, mysteries pile up and Julie, her brother Jamie, and the Traveler siblings Euan and Ellen try to get to the bottom of it all.
While it has some of the delicious attributes of a cosy mystery, this is far more rich, a highly complex narrative featuring Julie's coming-of-age (emotionally, sexually, and intellectually), the unpacking of family histories (Julie's and the Travelers), direct presentations of period prejudices, all within a riveting plot full of Wein's trademark twists and turns. As in her previous books, Wein creates a rich past world, fascinating characters, dramatic scenes, and great emotional depth. While it is not necessary to have any familiarity with Code Name Verity, those who have it will enjoy the younger Julie, observing her developing into the young woman that she is later on. Finally, in addition to everything else, Wein is just a wonderful wordsmith. I love her sentences, her dry wit. Say this brief bit on page 47.
The Pearl Thief is a complete delight. Highly recommended.
Elizabeth Wein's books offer so much. The worlds she creates are remarkable in their textures; whether they are set in actual historical pasts or fantasy historical pasts, they are rich with touches large and small that bring the worlds alive for readers. She does something similar with characters, making them complex, flawed, and vivid whether they are the ones we care deeply about, those that terrify us, or simply those a bit more on the fringe of the story. All of them feel fully rounded, ones we readers inhabit fully as we read. Then there is plot --- Wein is a master at creating complex, driving, tangled, twisty, and unpredictable plots. Lastly, there is emotion, and not just for the characters --- these are books that set readers' hearts pounding, produce gasps of astonishment, smiles at the wit, and tears of joy and sadness.
Among Wein's works are two novels set during Word War II: the jaw-dropping, gasp-inducing Code Name Verity and the equally dramatic and heartrending Rose Under Fire. Now we have The Pearl Thief, a prequel to Code Name Verity, featuring a much younger Julie. I admit I was a bit wary starting the novel, wondering if Wein was pushing too far with the same characters , but I needed have worried. This work is marvelous, as fully realized in all its facets as all the others. While the book isn't out for a while yet, I wanted to get my thoughts down now (in a spoiler free way of course) so as not to have them drift away and to, hopefully, excite those of you waiting for it.
It is 1938 as the story begins and we meet fifteen-year-old Julie heading home to her family's Scottish estate from her Swiss boarding school for the summer. The death of her grandfather and the need to pay off his extensive debt has meant that the estate has been sold and is being turned into a school. And so Julie's return is bittersweet, her family occupying a few rooms of the place temporarily until they move out for good. Shortly after her arrival she lands in the hospital, having been hit on the head by an unknown assailant and then saved by local Travelers. Things and people go missing, mysteries pile up and Julie, her brother Jamie, and the Traveler siblings Euan and Ellen try to get to the bottom of it all.
While it has some of the delicious attributes of a cosy mystery, this is far more rich, a highly complex narrative featuring Julie's coming-of-age (emotionally, sexually, and intellectually), the unpacking of family histories (Julie's and the Travelers), direct presentations of period prejudices, all within a riveting plot full of Wein's trademark twists and turns. As in her previous books, Wein creates a rich past world, fascinating characters, dramatic scenes, and great emotional depth. While it is not necessary to have any familiarity with Code Name Verity, those who have it will enjoy the younger Julie, observing her developing into the young woman that she is later on. Finally, in addition to everything else, Wein is just a wonderful wordsmith. I love her sentences, her dry wit. Say this brief bit on page 47.
Mother got up again, with an air of determination.
"Perhaps I'm a witness!" I said relishing the idea.
No one else relished it.
The Pearl Thief is a complete delight. Highly recommended.
November 18, 2020
I planned falling in love with this book—just didn’t happen.
The plot seemed circuitous until the very ending. Additionally, does a girl of that age really have this much freedom?
The confusing part is that Elizabeth Wien clearly researched it very well. The section on river pearls and the Scotch lifestyle were strong points.
The Characters seem to be well rounded especially, the main character, Julie in her coming of age experience, was very impressive. The rest were questionable and if nothing else, bit players.
I was disappointed. I can’t give a recommendation but may be a challenge to give it a try and maybe you will get more out of it than I did.
The plot seemed circuitous until the very ending. Additionally, does a girl of that age really have this much freedom?
The confusing part is that Elizabeth Wien clearly researched it very well. The section on river pearls and the Scotch lifestyle were strong points.
The Characters seem to be well rounded especially, the main character, Julie in her coming of age experience, was very impressive. The rest were questionable and if nothing else, bit players.
I was disappointed. I can’t give a recommendation but may be a challenge to give it a try and maybe you will get more out of it than I did.
May 22, 2017
Finished last night and dove straight back into Code Name Verity.
I picked up this book without knowing much about it. Yes, there's the blurb, but I didn't really pay attention to that. I just knew I adored Code Name Verity and as this was a prequel to that special book, I was reading it regardless (and hopefully loving it too). As it happens, I did love it. But it certainly wasn't what I was expecting.
I love the Pearl Thief for the innate Scottishness that infuses every page. I love it for the vibrancy of the characters, who all leap off the page: Ellen, Euan, Jamie, Pinkie (omg my heart), especially Julie, and even the secondary characters like Mary Kinnaird and Sandy and Frank Dunbar. I love it for the mystery and the history and the inclusion of the Tinkers, who were people I'd never even known existed prior to picking this up. And I loved it for teaching me more about the world, as historical fiction seems to do time and time again. I knew nothing about Scottish river pearls, but this book changed that.
With it being a prequel, Elizabeth Wein leaves a few Easter eggs here and there to show us where certain things from Code Name Verity came from (ahem, Queenie). But it works just as well on its own, I think. I had less than a hundred pages to finish last night and felt like I was freaking out on every other page because the story was that intense. And while the ending wrapped up quickly, it wasn't what I would call neat -- I'm still sad about the pearls.
I picked up this book without knowing much about it. Yes, there's the blurb, but I didn't really pay attention to that. I just knew I adored Code Name Verity and as this was a prequel to that special book, I was reading it regardless (and hopefully loving it too). As it happens, I did love it. But it certainly wasn't what I was expecting.
I love the Pearl Thief for the innate Scottishness that infuses every page. I love it for the vibrancy of the characters, who all leap off the page: Ellen, Euan, Jamie, Pinkie (omg my heart), especially Julie, and even the secondary characters like Mary Kinnaird and Sandy and Frank Dunbar. I love it for the mystery and the history and the inclusion of the Tinkers, who were people I'd never even known existed prior to picking this up. And I loved it for teaching me more about the world, as historical fiction seems to do time and time again. I knew nothing about Scottish river pearls, but this book changed that.
With it being a prequel, Elizabeth Wein leaves a few Easter eggs here and there to show us where certain things from Code Name Verity came from (ahem, Queenie). But it works just as well on its own, I think. I had less than a hundred pages to finish last night and felt like I was freaking out on every other page because the story was that intense. And while the ending wrapped up quickly, it wasn't what I would call neat -- I'm still sad about the pearls.
June 14, 2017
The main reason why I wanted to read The Pearl Thief is because British Travellers are prominent in the plot. Travellers are often confused with the Romani who are now believed to have originated in India. Travellers are native to Britain. They were also called Tinkers because they mended pots and kettles, but the term Tinker was used as an insult. I was astonished to read in this book that Tinker Bell was given that name to show that she was "a low class fairy". James Barrie, the creator of Tinker Bell, was showing his prejudice against Travellers through this character's name. Elizabeth Wein serves up intriguing snippets of the history and culture of Travellers in this novel. I'd love to find out more, and I can by obtaining one of the books she consulted on the subject listed in her bibliography at the back of the book.
Another reason why I wanted to read this latest book by Elizabeth Wein is that it's a mystery beginning as a missing person case. I am a fan of the mystery genre and this one involves several surprising twists. So this is an absorbing and well constructed mystery with great characters and a strong statement against prejudice. I expect this to be one of my best reads of 2017.
For my complete review see http://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/20...
Another reason why I wanted to read this latest book by Elizabeth Wein is that it's a mystery beginning as a missing person case. I am a fan of the mystery genre and this one involves several surprising twists. So this is an absorbing and well constructed mystery with great characters and a strong statement against prejudice. I expect this to be one of my best reads of 2017.
For my complete review see http://shomeretmasked.blogspot.com/20...
August 12, 2017
She was coming home, not for a visit, but to help liquidate her deceased grandfather’s estate. The debt collectors were at the door and the house was to become a school. Fifteen-year-old Julia must be part of the dismantling of lifetimes of accumulated family treasures and heirlooms, but an attack by a shadowy figure leaves her comatose, awaking a victim of amnesia. She is only alive because of two young Travelers.
When things go missing, the Travelers are accused and now it is up to Julia, her brother and the Traveler siblings to uncover the mystery that shrouds their lives. Enter the world of Britain in the 1930’s when prejudice, wealth and power determine the worth or veracity of a person and watch Julia grow as a person and come of age as a young lady as her eyes are opened to the worst and best in humanity.
THE PEARL THIEF by Elizabeth Wein is a rich historical tale that precedes her CODENAME VERITYtale. Exquisite details, and lyrical prose invites the reader to sit back and travel to a time long ago, feel the atmosphere of the times and witness the determination of four young people against all odds on a mission to discover the truth.
I received an ARC edition from the Disney Book Group in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
Publisher: Disney Hyperion (May 2, 2017)
Publication Date: May 2, 2017
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Print Length: 336 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
When things go missing, the Travelers are accused and now it is up to Julia, her brother and the Traveler siblings to uncover the mystery that shrouds their lives. Enter the world of Britain in the 1930’s when prejudice, wealth and power determine the worth or veracity of a person and watch Julia grow as a person and come of age as a young lady as her eyes are opened to the worst and best in humanity.
THE PEARL THIEF by Elizabeth Wein is a rich historical tale that precedes her CODENAME VERITYtale. Exquisite details, and lyrical prose invites the reader to sit back and travel to a time long ago, feel the atmosphere of the times and witness the determination of four young people against all odds on a mission to discover the truth.
I received an ARC edition from the Disney Book Group in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
Publisher: Disney Hyperion (May 2, 2017)
Publication Date: May 2, 2017
Genre: YA Historical Fiction
Print Length: 336 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
April 5, 2017
Code Name Verity fans will be overjoyed to learn that Elizabeth Wein has written a brilliant prequel to her bestseller spy thriller. The Pearl Thief is set in 1938 Scotland, where 15-year-old Julie is spending one final summer on her deceased grandfather's estate. This parlor mystery is far more innocent and sweet than Wein's World War II novels. The Pearl Thief reads like an Agatha Christie mystery for young teens, but the gorgeous writing, Shakespearean themes, and historical details would appeal to adult readers too.
Due to the 1930's British setting, The Pearl Thief reminded me of a favorite classic, I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. Once again we have a formerly wealthy family living on an estate with a crumbling castle, which mirrors their reversal of fortune. There's a clash between teen-idealized romance and the carnal desires of adults. The lyrical writing style and bucolic setting are similar, but it's the eloquent girl protagonist, who yearns for a grander life, that makes these books unforgettable.
The Pearl Thief's central plot is a missing man mystery. Police dredge the river for a body when a museum scholar, hired to catalogue the grandfather's treasures for auction, vanishes while digging for pearls. Julie was the last to see the scholar alive, but she was hit on the head and can't remember what happened. Having devoured many mysteries as a teen, I guessed the main culprit in the early chapters. That didn't spoil the story because most of the suspense comes from worrying if Julie will string the clues together in time and act sensibly.
Julie has trouble controlling her impulses, leading to risky behavior. She's a beautiful girl full of dualities: revelling in silk ballgowns and rare river pearls but also envious of her brothers' freedom. Once her hair is cut short, Julie tries on gender identities playfully like Shakespearean costumes. The bisexual undertones in Code Name Verity are further explored in this progressive prequel while still adhering to the conservative morality of the time period and of her aristocratic class. The most controversial part of The Pearl Thief is Julie's crush on a middle aged man, who encourages her flirtations.
Rebellious Julie bulks against societal norms to befriend a deaf librarian with facial deformities and a family of Travellers. She has to overcome her own prejudices to earn their trust. Wein makes all her characters realistically flawed: the Travellers and the deaf woman are also prejudiced against each other. No one is perfect, but characters can learn from their mistakes and change.
Over the course of The Pearl Thief, Julie grows into the young woman who will become the spy Verity. This delightful prequel feels like it was written first, and the books could be read in either order. I appreciate Code Name Verity all the more for understanding the backstory, and I hope Elizabeth Wein writes another Julie novel. Julie/Verity is one of my favorite YA heroines.
Reviewer's Disclosure: Since I've reviewed other novels by Elizabeth Wein, Disney Hyperion USA offered me the ARC of The Pearl Thief. The digital galley had formatting errors, making it unreadable, so I requested a print galley from Bloomsbury UK (I'm on sabbatical in England.) Borrowing a clue from the mystery, the Bloomsbury galley came with (fake) pearls in the envelope! Elizabeth Wein is a blog buddy and my favorite historical YA author. One of her editors, Kate Egan, is a friend of mine too.
Full Review posted on my blog for Barrie Summy's Book Review Club: http://blog.sarahlaurence.com/2017/04...
Due to the 1930's British setting, The Pearl Thief reminded me of a favorite classic, I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. Once again we have a formerly wealthy family living on an estate with a crumbling castle, which mirrors their reversal of fortune. There's a clash between teen-idealized romance and the carnal desires of adults. The lyrical writing style and bucolic setting are similar, but it's the eloquent girl protagonist, who yearns for a grander life, that makes these books unforgettable.
The Pearl Thief's central plot is a missing man mystery. Police dredge the river for a body when a museum scholar, hired to catalogue the grandfather's treasures for auction, vanishes while digging for pearls. Julie was the last to see the scholar alive, but she was hit on the head and can't remember what happened. Having devoured many mysteries as a teen, I guessed the main culprit in the early chapters. That didn't spoil the story because most of the suspense comes from worrying if Julie will string the clues together in time and act sensibly.
Julie has trouble controlling her impulses, leading to risky behavior. She's a beautiful girl full of dualities: revelling in silk ballgowns and rare river pearls but also envious of her brothers' freedom. Once her hair is cut short, Julie tries on gender identities playfully like Shakespearean costumes. The bisexual undertones in Code Name Verity are further explored in this progressive prequel while still adhering to the conservative morality of the time period and of her aristocratic class. The most controversial part of The Pearl Thief is Julie's crush on a middle aged man, who encourages her flirtations.
Rebellious Julie bulks against societal norms to befriend a deaf librarian with facial deformities and a family of Travellers. She has to overcome her own prejudices to earn their trust. Wein makes all her characters realistically flawed: the Travellers and the deaf woman are also prejudiced against each other. No one is perfect, but characters can learn from their mistakes and change.
Over the course of The Pearl Thief, Julie grows into the young woman who will become the spy Verity. This delightful prequel feels like it was written first, and the books could be read in either order. I appreciate Code Name Verity all the more for understanding the backstory, and I hope Elizabeth Wein writes another Julie novel. Julie/Verity is one of my favorite YA heroines.
Reviewer's Disclosure: Since I've reviewed other novels by Elizabeth Wein, Disney Hyperion USA offered me the ARC of The Pearl Thief. The digital galley had formatting errors, making it unreadable, so I requested a print galley from Bloomsbury UK (I'm on sabbatical in England.) Borrowing a clue from the mystery, the Bloomsbury galley came with (fake) pearls in the envelope! Elizabeth Wein is a blog buddy and my favorite historical YA author. One of her editors, Kate Egan, is a friend of mine too.
Full Review posted on my blog for Barrie Summy's Book Review Club: http://blog.sarahlaurence.com/2017/04...
June 27, 2017
I received a free advance copy of The Pearl Thief through Netgalley in return for a (brutally) honest review.
Vintage mysteries are one of my favourite genres when I need entertaining escapism, I like a quirky amateur detective and a case that's all about the puzzle rather than the crime itself. It's a simple formula but it is difficult to get right and The Pearl Thief fails on several levels. The setting is Scotland, it's impossible to miss it with the superabundance of dialect words and phrases. It's so overwhelming at times that it's simply trying too hard, desperate to remind you at each turn that this is Scotland, with all the semi-mythical associations that go along with it. The time period is less easy to pin down, vaguely interwar, perhaps? 1920s? 1930s? It was never made clear.
My real bug-bear with this one was the characters. Retro crime, even the best of Golden Age crime, isn't known for the depth of its characters. They mainly play to type, representing broad categories of society in quite predictable ways with the eccentric detective perhaps breaking mould a little with his or her particular foibles. It's an established form, comforting in its way to those who enjoy the genre, however this does not remove all restraints on characters, they may not be particularly complex but there needs to be some element of credibility. Julie just did not. She's a thoroughly modern girl transposed onto a past time without any consideration for how her background and her surrounding would have shaped her character. There's a desperate need for diversity in literature but to simplify the experience of bisexuality in this way without any acknowledgement of the uncertainty or difficulties surrounding this issue is a disservice. Sexuality, and particularly sexuality for women in any form, is not easy now, for Julie to accept it so blithely in the early twentieth century is ridiculous. Which brings me to the issue of her age. Julie is supposed to be fifteen and yet not a thing throws her, she is utterly self-possessed, so self-possessed that the way she responds to several events would be a stretch for an experienced adult, let alone a sheltered, upper-class, boarding school educated teenage girl.
Julie aside, the plot would be difficult for any character support. The amnesia trope is never a good move unless you make the effort to subvert expectations, it really is only one step above the "it was all a dream" resolution. It's simply lazy writing because it provides a mystery without requiring any effort and those sudden flashbacks are an easy route to clues that would be otherwise meaningless. The fact that Julie's amnesia apparently stems from a head injury that left her unconscious for several DAYS and yet she manifests no other symptoms of concussion (except when she feigns them) is a medical miracle. With this spurious base the story lost any hold on me that it might have had, it is almost unbearably slow and totally lacking in tension. I found myself having to think carefully in order to remember what the mystery actually was, I certainly couldn't bring myself to care.
Vintage mysteries are one of my favourite genres when I need entertaining escapism, I like a quirky amateur detective and a case that's all about the puzzle rather than the crime itself. It's a simple formula but it is difficult to get right and The Pearl Thief fails on several levels. The setting is Scotland, it's impossible to miss it with the superabundance of dialect words and phrases. It's so overwhelming at times that it's simply trying too hard, desperate to remind you at each turn that this is Scotland, with all the semi-mythical associations that go along with it. The time period is less easy to pin down, vaguely interwar, perhaps? 1920s? 1930s? It was never made clear.
My real bug-bear with this one was the characters. Retro crime, even the best of Golden Age crime, isn't known for the depth of its characters. They mainly play to type, representing broad categories of society in quite predictable ways with the eccentric detective perhaps breaking mould a little with his or her particular foibles. It's an established form, comforting in its way to those who enjoy the genre, however this does not remove all restraints on characters, they may not be particularly complex but there needs to be some element of credibility. Julie just did not. She's a thoroughly modern girl transposed onto a past time without any consideration for how her background and her surrounding would have shaped her character. There's a desperate need for diversity in literature but to simplify the experience of bisexuality in this way without any acknowledgement of the uncertainty or difficulties surrounding this issue is a disservice. Sexuality, and particularly sexuality for women in any form, is not easy now, for Julie to accept it so blithely in the early twentieth century is ridiculous. Which brings me to the issue of her age. Julie is supposed to be fifteen and yet not a thing throws her, she is utterly self-possessed, so self-possessed that the way she responds to several events would be a stretch for an experienced adult, let alone a sheltered, upper-class, boarding school educated teenage girl.
Julie aside, the plot would be difficult for any character support. The amnesia trope is never a good move unless you make the effort to subvert expectations, it really is only one step above the "it was all a dream" resolution. It's simply lazy writing because it provides a mystery without requiring any effort and those sudden flashbacks are an easy route to clues that would be otherwise meaningless. The fact that Julie's amnesia apparently stems from a head injury that left her unconscious for several DAYS and yet she manifests no other symptoms of concussion (except when she feigns them) is a medical miracle. With this spurious base the story lost any hold on me that it might have had, it is almost unbearably slow and totally lacking in tension. I found myself having to think carefully in order to remember what the mystery actually was, I certainly couldn't bring myself to care.
June 10, 2017
@ELIZABETH WEIN: I WILL PAY YOU TO KEEP WRITING PREQUELS ABOUT JULIE
i'm going to miss adventuring with julie soooo much!!! also spoiler but honestly makes me want to sob and now i am just really hankering to throw my tbr pile out the window and just reread code name verity and have a good cry
i'm going to miss adventuring with julie soooo much!!! also spoiler but honestly makes me want to sob and now i am just really hankering to throw my tbr pile out the window and just reread code name verity and have a good cry
August 30, 2017
Queenie
May 5, 2017
I was surprised and a smidge trepidatious to learn that this was a prequel to the much-beloved Code Name Verity, but this works surprisingly well as a stand-alone, as an entry to the loosely connected Code Name Verity series, or as a treat for those who've already read and loved Verity.
In this book, we meet 15-year-old Julie, who goes on to become the heroine of Code Name Verity. But in these more innocent pre-war years, Julie's concerns are focused on her family estate in Scotland, where her family is being ousted due to her deceased grandfather's severe debt. The estate is being converted to a boys' school, and over Julie's summer break from boarding school she and her family are tasked with clearing out generations' worth of her family's things while sharing the house with a slew of workmen. Almost immediately Julie is hit on the head, and she wakes up two days later amid some very dramatic and mysterious goings-on involving pearls, a love affair, her grandfather's collection of historical artifacts, a missing person, and a family of local Travellers. Theories, accusations, and prejudices abound as the town bumbles toward solving this tangled mystery.
I saw another reviewer refer to this as an Agatha Christie-esque house mystery, and I'd agree with that. While Code Name Verity was brutal and brilliant and heart-wrenching, this is a much quieter story from a more innocent time in Julie's life that provides more room for character exploration. I really enjoyed getting to know Julie before she became Verity, without the distancing lens of Verity's unreliable narration. Her daring, confident, and prideful character is shown in development here, and Wein did a great job of writing Julie in the middle of her journey toward the more worldly spy we come to know later.
I especially liked the exploration of Julie's sexuality, something that was a bit ambiguous in Code Name Verity due to the nature of that book's framing mechanism. (Everyone who said Julie was obviously queer: You are vindicated!) Julie herself is still exploring in this book, but she does so with a sort of "I am who I am and the world will bow before me regardless" arrogance that I had to smile at. Julie is not one to berate herself for her feelings, whatever they may be, and that was a nice change of pace from many of the LGBT characters who appear in historical YA.
This is a very well-written country mystery for young adults that works as well as a stand-alone as it does an exploration into the earlier life of a beloved character. If you haven't yet read Code Name Verity, you could easily start here, and in fact I would recommend it. I'm actually thinking about rereading Code Name Verity now that I have more insight into Julie's character and history--I think it would change my reading experience of that book for the better.
Thanks to Disney-Hyperion and NetGalley for providing a review copy.
In this book, we meet 15-year-old Julie, who goes on to become the heroine of Code Name Verity. But in these more innocent pre-war years, Julie's concerns are focused on her family estate in Scotland, where her family is being ousted due to her deceased grandfather's severe debt. The estate is being converted to a boys' school, and over Julie's summer break from boarding school she and her family are tasked with clearing out generations' worth of her family's things while sharing the house with a slew of workmen. Almost immediately Julie is hit on the head, and she wakes up two days later amid some very dramatic and mysterious goings-on involving pearls, a love affair, her grandfather's collection of historical artifacts, a missing person, and a family of local Travellers. Theories, accusations, and prejudices abound as the town bumbles toward solving this tangled mystery.
I saw another reviewer refer to this as an Agatha Christie-esque house mystery, and I'd agree with that. While Code Name Verity was brutal and brilliant and heart-wrenching, this is a much quieter story from a more innocent time in Julie's life that provides more room for character exploration. I really enjoyed getting to know Julie before she became Verity, without the distancing lens of Verity's unreliable narration. Her daring, confident, and prideful character is shown in development here, and Wein did a great job of writing Julie in the middle of her journey toward the more worldly spy we come to know later.
I especially liked the exploration of Julie's sexuality, something that was a bit ambiguous in Code Name Verity due to the nature of that book's framing mechanism. (Everyone who said Julie was obviously queer: You are vindicated!) Julie herself is still exploring in this book, but she does so with a sort of "I am who I am and the world will bow before me regardless" arrogance that I had to smile at. Julie is not one to berate herself for her feelings, whatever they may be, and that was a nice change of pace from many of the LGBT characters who appear in historical YA.
This is a very well-written country mystery for young adults that works as well as a stand-alone as it does an exploration into the earlier life of a beloved character. If you haven't yet read Code Name Verity, you could easily start here, and in fact I would recommend it. I'm actually thinking about rereading Code Name Verity now that I have more insight into Julie's character and history--I think it would change my reading experience of that book for the better.
Thanks to Disney-Hyperion and NetGalley for providing a review copy.
January 2, 2018
4 stars
⛤⛤⛤⛤
Back in March 2016, I shelved a book called Code Name Verity. I cannot for the life of me remember why I shelved it into my TBR, but it's been sitting there patiently waiting to be the book of the day. The team at The Morning News then put a book called The Pearl Thief (Code Name Verity #0.5) onto the longlist for the Tournament of Books for 2018. I thought, oh hang on that rings a bell. My library had a copy of this on audiobook, so with nothing to lose, I downloaded it and started listening.
My first impression, which stayed with me until the end of the read is that this does not seem like it fits the (very loose) criteria for the tournament. However, I really liked the story and listened to it until the end. I loved the interactions with the Scottish Travellers, they were painted quite likable in the book and I have always thought that it would be not a bad way to live. (Don't tell my parents, they seem to be from an age where the mere thought of their daughter running off with the gypsies was unbearable. Why? Who knows). I also learned a lot about river pearls and a little bit about Scottish Travellers. Make sure you read the authors note if you do pick up this little gem.
Now I need to push Code Name Verity up to the top of the TBR before too long.
⛤⛤⛤⛤
Back in March 2016, I shelved a book called Code Name Verity. I cannot for the life of me remember why I shelved it into my TBR, but it's been sitting there patiently waiting to be the book of the day. The team at The Morning News then put a book called The Pearl Thief (Code Name Verity #0.5) onto the longlist for the Tournament of Books for 2018. I thought, oh hang on that rings a bell. My library had a copy of this on audiobook, so with nothing to lose, I downloaded it and started listening.
My first impression, which stayed with me until the end of the read is that this does not seem like it fits the (very loose) criteria for the tournament. However, I really liked the story and listened to it until the end. I loved the interactions with the Scottish Travellers, they were painted quite likable in the book and I have always thought that it would be not a bad way to live. (Don't tell my parents, they seem to be from an age where the mere thought of their daughter running off with the gypsies was unbearable. Why? Who knows). I also learned a lot about river pearls and a little bit about Scottish Travellers. Make sure you read the authors note if you do pick up this little gem.
Now I need to push Code Name Verity up to the top of the TBR before too long.
August 22, 2017
Things I hated aside, I honestly didn't care for this much. The mystery was dull, and it didn't work very well at all as a prequel for Code Name Verity. Julie didn't feel like Julie and the whole tone felt off.
Now for the hate.
The romances. Julie is attracted to and makes out with
A. an older man
B. a girl
C. the girl's brother.
How about no.
It was just weird and badly written. 10/10 would not recommend.
Now for the hate.
The romances. Julie is attracted to and makes out with
A. an older man
B. a girl
C. the girl's brother.
How about no.
It was just weird and badly written. 10/10 would not recommend.
September 28, 2017
as should be abundantly clear by my GR reviews, e. wein is one of my favorite living authors; i don't think a single one of her books has ever failed to delight. given that, you'd think i'd have read and reviewed this straight away - but because she is one of my favorite authors, i wanted to wait until i had a free weekend to just read. i don't know what i was thinking; weekends haven't worked like that for me in a depressingly long time! eventually i realized how stupid i was being and moved this book to my regular night-time reading pile, but i still find myself with the problem of time (this time of writing - or at least, of the non-work-related kind). so, sadly, this probably won't be the review this book deserves - but i want to force at least some of my thoughts on (digital) paper, however scattered, so i can return to them later.
you don't need to read code name verity to understand and enjoy the pearl thief, but i think the majority of readers (myself included) will have most likely come to the latter with the former in mind. just in case, though, spoilers about CNV in the cut below...
aside from the connections to CNV, though, there's so much to enjoy in the pearl thief - julie's wonderfully vivid narrative voice, the way the scottish setting is so fully and lovingly realized, the cast of supporting characters (jamie!), julie's explorations of her sexuality, and so on. it's a book that bolsters and delights and questions and makes you question in turn. like falling in love; like discovering your best friend.
you don't need to read code name verity to understand and enjoy the pearl thief, but i think the majority of readers (myself included) will have most likely come to the latter with the former in mind. just in case, though, spoilers about CNV in the cut below...
aside from the connections to CNV, though, there's so much to enjoy in the pearl thief - julie's wonderfully vivid narrative voice, the way the scottish setting is so fully and lovingly realized, the cast of supporting characters (jamie!), julie's explorations of her sexuality, and so on. it's a book that bolsters and delights and questions and makes you question in turn. like falling in love; like discovering your best friend.
Read
May 2, 2017Graded By: Jennie
Cover Story: Go On, Take The Money and Run
BFF Charm: Yay!
Swoonworthy Scale: 6
Talky Talk: I Capture the Castle
Bonus Factors: Crumbling Aristocracy, Sweet Ride, History’s Mysteries
Relationship Status: It’s Like Being In Love, Discovering Your Best Friend
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Go On, Take The Money and Run
BFF Charm: Yay!
Swoonworthy Scale: 6
Talky Talk: I Capture the Castle
Bonus Factors: Crumbling Aristocracy, Sweet Ride, History’s Mysteries
Relationship Status: It’s Like Being In Love, Discovering Your Best Friend
Read the full book report here.
May 20, 2017
I received this free from the publisher via NetGalley
Before Verity, and before Queenie, there was Julie Beaufort-Stuart. It’s 1938 and Julie Beaufort-Stuart is heading back to her family’s ancestral home, the Strathfearn estate, in Perthshire. Her grandfather’s death and debts have led to the forced sale of the estate, all the belongings, and Julie’s childhood goes with it. But not just that, the McEwens family, a Scottish Traveller family, have been a part of the landscape for as long as Julie remembers. Their families and the estate go back generations. However, a man is missing and presumed murdered, and it’s the McEwens, who are loathed by all but her family, that are assumed to be the culprits. But Julie is determined to prove her friends innocent, as well as figuring out where her family’s missing pearls have gone…
The Pearl Thief is a prequel to Code Name Verity, but it can be read completely separate from Code Name Verity as both a stand-alone or as an introduction to Verity. I also appreciated the different setting and atmosphere.
Anyway, I LOVED The Pearl Thief. I loved that we got to see Julie in a completely different setting and light. We got to see her without all her trauma and pain. We got to see how she became that brilliant and angry Scotswoman we all fell in love with in Code Name Verity. We finally saw how she became Queenie, a nickname given to her by Ellen, the stubborn and passionate Scottish traveller who initially clashes with Julie, but they slowly grow feelings for each other.
Most people who follow me already know I’m a huge fan of Code Name Verity and Julie Beaufort-Stuart. Her compelling narrative, her cleverness and wit, her stubbornness and anger, and her love and her passion. We see all of this in The Pearl Thief, which is what made it a gripping read. We see Julie develop a lot in The Pearl Thief, we see her learning how to utilise her intelligence, and we see her finding her skill for manipulation, we see her develop new friendships and overcome prejudices. It really does help you appreciate the Verity we knew in Code Name Verity as we see her backstory. I also loved Ellen. She was passionate about archaeology and history, smart and ambitious, and persevered in the face of the hate she received. I enjoyed the insight into both Julie and Ellen’s family histories and how their families go back for generations.
The word bisexual isn’t featured, but Julie does show an interest in both men and women, and her primary love interest is a girl. I loved the exploration of Julie and her sexuality, which is only shown in subtext in Code Name Verity, but also I loved seeing this exploration while also bearing in mind the conservative societal and familial morals and norms of the time period.
Fans of Code Name Verity will no doubt love The Pearl Thief. We get more of an insight and backstory into our beloved Julie and how she became the woman we know and love.
Before Verity, and before Queenie, there was Julie Beaufort-Stuart. It’s 1938 and Julie Beaufort-Stuart is heading back to her family’s ancestral home, the Strathfearn estate, in Perthshire. Her grandfather’s death and debts have led to the forced sale of the estate, all the belongings, and Julie’s childhood goes with it. But not just that, the McEwens family, a Scottish Traveller family, have been a part of the landscape for as long as Julie remembers. Their families and the estate go back generations. However, a man is missing and presumed murdered, and it’s the McEwens, who are loathed by all but her family, that are assumed to be the culprits. But Julie is determined to prove her friends innocent, as well as figuring out where her family’s missing pearls have gone…
The Pearl Thief is a prequel to Code Name Verity, but it can be read completely separate from Code Name Verity as both a stand-alone or as an introduction to Verity. I also appreciated the different setting and atmosphere.
Anyway, I LOVED The Pearl Thief. I loved that we got to see Julie in a completely different setting and light. We got to see her without all her trauma and pain. We got to see how she became that brilliant and angry Scotswoman we all fell in love with in Code Name Verity. We finally saw how she became Queenie, a nickname given to her by Ellen, the stubborn and passionate Scottish traveller who initially clashes with Julie, but they slowly grow feelings for each other.
Most people who follow me already know I’m a huge fan of Code Name Verity and Julie Beaufort-Stuart. Her compelling narrative, her cleverness and wit, her stubbornness and anger, and her love and her passion. We see all of this in The Pearl Thief, which is what made it a gripping read. We see Julie develop a lot in The Pearl Thief, we see her learning how to utilise her intelligence, and we see her finding her skill for manipulation, we see her develop new friendships and overcome prejudices. It really does help you appreciate the Verity we knew in Code Name Verity as we see her backstory. I also loved Ellen. She was passionate about archaeology and history, smart and ambitious, and persevered in the face of the hate she received. I enjoyed the insight into both Julie and Ellen’s family histories and how their families go back for generations.
The word bisexual isn’t featured, but Julie does show an interest in both men and women, and her primary love interest is a girl. I loved the exploration of Julie and her sexuality, which is only shown in subtext in Code Name Verity, but also I loved seeing this exploration while also bearing in mind the conservative societal and familial morals and norms of the time period.
Fans of Code Name Verity will no doubt love The Pearl Thief. We get more of an insight and backstory into our beloved Julie and how she became the woman we know and love.
March 19, 2017
Oh, how I adored this book.
First things first: thanks to my coworker Tory for grabbing an ARC for me at ALA Midwinter. I'd forgotten this book was even coming out and she presented it to me one evening at work with no fanfare whatsoever and I think I may have scared her a bit with my enthusiasm. Thanks, Tory.
(Okay, from here on this review has SPOILERS for CODE NAME VERITY. If there are spoilers for Pearl Thief, they'll be at the end and I'll put a line before them so you can stop if you need to.)
Whenever I was forced to put this book down - whether because my lunch break ended or because I needed to wash dishes and go to bed or whatever - I couldn't help but think of The Burning World. If you read my review for Burning World you know that I struggled with the fact that while the story was good, it felt wholly unnecessary to me. I didn't really care about R's past, even if the author made it interesting. The Pearl Thief was, to me, exactly the opposite. As a prequel, we already know where Julie ends up: "buried in lace and roses on a riverbank in France." But for all the backstory she provided to von Linden in CNV, I still wanted to know how she got there, how she got to working in the war. While Pearl Thief does not take us right up to the war, it shows us exactly what we need to understand how Julie became Queenie and, eventually, became Verity. None of it felt unnecessary to me, not a single word. I loved seeing Julie at home, something we were robbed of in CNV simply due to circumstance.
And it's not just the backstory and the growth of the character Julie: the supporting characters are well-rounded and fierce and brilliant and the mystery that ties the whole summer together has plenty of twists and turns and even when I figured it out, I was holding my breath because I knew Julie was right behind me.
I just loved this book. It's such a wonderful complement to CNV. It is lighter and brighter and warmer than CNV is, obviously; the darkness of the war and all that happened to Julie is so far away here. The tone of the books is very different just because of their timeline and scopes, but they are complementary in a beautiful way. There are moments throughout the book where I grinned or turned down the corner of a page because Julie says or does something that was so clearly a precursor to her life as Verity; it was wonderful to see how she grows. But there was one line, towards the end, where - for me - it seemed to tie the two halves of Julie's life together (as the Earl of Strathfearn's granddaughter and as the Allied spy Verity) and I may have just shouted an expletive in my empty apartment as my eyes welled with tears.
Julie's one of those book characters I miss. It's so easy for me to imagine her as a real person that, even with CNV and now Pearl Thief sitting on my shelf ready to be read again at a moment's notice, I still find myself missing her as if she were actually dead.
_____________________________________________________
OKAY SPOILERS FOR THE BOOK FROM HERE ON DOWN. CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED.
_____________________________________________________
Oh Ellen. Julie and Ellen. I adored Ellen from the moment she sassed Julie in the hospital and I knew Julie just wouldn't let that go and she didn't. Ellen's pride and fierce nature and joy at messing with Julie was delightful. And I loved that she called Julie out on her shit! That's something I love about Julie, how imperfect she is. She can be thoughtless and overwhelmingly privileged, but when Ellen calls her out on it - or Mary, or even Sandy the one time - Julie reflects on it and is genuinely ashamed of it and aware for the next time. When she uses her privilege to stop the Water Bailiff from assaulting Ellen, I liked that the author reminds us that it embarrasses them both: Ellen, because she needed saving, and Julie, because she could only save her because of her family's status. It was necessary, but still uncomfortable because Julie was aware of it. Okay, anyway, JULIE AND ELLEN. But also Julie and Maddie because my biggest fear for this book was whether I could love a story about Julie without Maddie, or a story like CNV without a central, core female friendship. Julie and Ellen gives us that.
One thing about CNV that has always been a subject of debate is whether Julie and Maddie were friends or girlfriends and I never really cared. By that I mean, I was fine with it either way; maybe it's the aroace in me, but there are some relationships where I honestly don't care if their love is platonic or romantic - what matters to me is that these two people love each other more than they have ever loved anyone else. If the author had ever confirmed it one way or the other, I'd have been perfectly content with either answer. Julie and Ellen's relationship doesn't ultimately give us an answer to Julie and Maddie's, but it does make either interpretation more plausible. Julie, you little bi baby, kissing Ellen under the blanket in the Traveller tent, thinking of Ellen when you kiss Euan on the last day of the summer, holding Ellen's hand as you fall asleep.
Ellen gave Julie the nickname Queenie. (That's the part that made my eyes well with tears.)
And now I can't help but wonder what happened to Ellen. Does she come visit Castle Craig? Do she and Jamie find each other after the war? Does she meet Maddie, do the two of them bond over their love of Julie?
I hope so. I hope all the people who loved Julie find each other. They're the only people in the world who would understand what it felt like to be loved by a firecracker like Julia Beaufort-Stuart.
First things first: thanks to my coworker Tory for grabbing an ARC for me at ALA Midwinter. I'd forgotten this book was even coming out and she presented it to me one evening at work with no fanfare whatsoever and I think I may have scared her a bit with my enthusiasm. Thanks, Tory.
(Okay, from here on this review has SPOILERS for CODE NAME VERITY. If there are spoilers for Pearl Thief, they'll be at the end and I'll put a line before them so you can stop if you need to.)
Whenever I was forced to put this book down - whether because my lunch break ended or because I needed to wash dishes and go to bed or whatever - I couldn't help but think of The Burning World. If you read my review for Burning World you know that I struggled with the fact that while the story was good, it felt wholly unnecessary to me. I didn't really care about R's past, even if the author made it interesting. The Pearl Thief was, to me, exactly the opposite. As a prequel, we already know where Julie ends up: "buried in lace and roses on a riverbank in France." But for all the backstory she provided to von Linden in CNV, I still wanted to know how she got there, how she got to working in the war. While Pearl Thief does not take us right up to the war, it shows us exactly what we need to understand how Julie became Queenie and, eventually, became Verity. None of it felt unnecessary to me, not a single word. I loved seeing Julie at home, something we were robbed of in CNV simply due to circumstance.
And it's not just the backstory and the growth of the character Julie: the supporting characters are well-rounded and fierce and brilliant and the mystery that ties the whole summer together has plenty of twists and turns and even when I figured it out, I was holding my breath because I knew Julie was right behind me.
I just loved this book. It's such a wonderful complement to CNV. It is lighter and brighter and warmer than CNV is, obviously; the darkness of the war and all that happened to Julie is so far away here. The tone of the books is very different just because of their timeline and scopes, but they are complementary in a beautiful way. There are moments throughout the book where I grinned or turned down the corner of a page because Julie says or does something that was so clearly a precursor to her life as Verity; it was wonderful to see how she grows. But there was one line, towards the end, where - for me - it seemed to tie the two halves of Julie's life together (as the Earl of Strathfearn's granddaughter and as the Allied spy Verity) and I may have just shouted an expletive in my empty apartment as my eyes welled with tears.
Julie's one of those book characters I miss. It's so easy for me to imagine her as a real person that, even with CNV and now Pearl Thief sitting on my shelf ready to be read again at a moment's notice, I still find myself missing her as if she were actually dead.
_____________________________________________________
OKAY SPOILERS FOR THE BOOK FROM HERE ON DOWN. CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED.
_____________________________________________________
Oh Ellen. Julie and Ellen. I adored Ellen from the moment she sassed Julie in the hospital and I knew Julie just wouldn't let that go and she didn't. Ellen's pride and fierce nature and joy at messing with Julie was delightful. And I loved that she called Julie out on her shit! That's something I love about Julie, how imperfect she is. She can be thoughtless and overwhelmingly privileged, but when Ellen calls her out on it - or Mary, or even Sandy the one time - Julie reflects on it and is genuinely ashamed of it and aware for the next time. When she uses her privilege to stop the Water Bailiff from assaulting Ellen, I liked that the author reminds us that it embarrasses them both: Ellen, because she needed saving, and Julie, because she could only save her because of her family's status. It was necessary, but still uncomfortable because Julie was aware of it. Okay, anyway, JULIE AND ELLEN. But also Julie and Maddie because my biggest fear for this book was whether I could love a story about Julie without Maddie, or a story like CNV without a central, core female friendship. Julie and Ellen gives us that.
One thing about CNV that has always been a subject of debate is whether Julie and Maddie were friends or girlfriends and I never really cared. By that I mean, I was fine with it either way; maybe it's the aroace in me, but there are some relationships where I honestly don't care if their love is platonic or romantic - what matters to me is that these two people love each other more than they have ever loved anyone else. If the author had ever confirmed it one way or the other, I'd have been perfectly content with either answer. Julie and Ellen's relationship doesn't ultimately give us an answer to Julie and Maddie's, but it does make either interpretation more plausible. Julie, you little bi baby, kissing Ellen under the blanket in the Traveller tent, thinking of Ellen when you kiss Euan on the last day of the summer, holding Ellen's hand as you fall asleep.
Ellen gave Julie the nickname Queenie. (That's the part that made my eyes well with tears.)
And now I can't help but wonder what happened to Ellen. Does she come visit Castle Craig? Do she and Jamie find each other after the war? Does she meet Maddie, do the two of them bond over their love of Julie?
I hope so. I hope all the people who loved Julie find each other. They're the only people in the world who would understand what it felt like to be loved by a firecracker like Julia Beaufort-Stuart.
June 3, 2017
Review coming soon.
June 6, 2022
I'm genuinely surprised that the majority of these reviews are so positive. Did I read the same book as everyone else? Maybe it's because I haven't read the Code Name Verity books, so I don't feel the same connection? I'm really a bit disappointed because I'd been wanting to read this book for a long time and it wasn't really worth the wait.
I love mystery books, but I love them when the author provides clues along the way that make it possible for the reader to solve the mystery as or even before the main character does.
Elizabeth Wein did not do this at all, instead randomly throwing out bits of information relating to the crime that made sense to the characters but would never make sense to any real person. It would be like, "This rope was tied to the boat in this old photo is the same rope that was on the dead guy, because all rope definitely looks completely unique so it HAD to be the same one which means that it was !" Or, since Julie had amnesia, she'd just suddenly have a flashback or remember something that would be a clue. Kind of a cheap cop out in writing if you ask me.
I didn't care for the romances at all either. I knew from the start solely because of the age difference and the way he was introduced that Julie and Frank Dunbar weren't going to last so it was like there was no point in reading about their relationship, or whatever it was. Then there was Julie and Ellen which was confusing considering Ellen also had a romance with Julie's brother Jamie? And then at the end there was an unnecessary out of nowhere a romance between . Really messy and probably not realistic for a 15 year old girl in 1930s Scotland to just run around kissing people she barely knew (including a random stranger at a train station?). At one point she even kissed At the rate Julie was going I was surprised she didn't end up making out with her own brother. I didn't care for it all. Honestly in comparison to all that I would've just preferred if Wein hadn't included romance in the story at all.
And don't even get me started on the characters. They were unlikable and two dimensional and I really couldn't care at all what happened to them. To this day I don't know what Euen's personality was supposed to be (he was a main character yet the most he'd ever spoken was in that first hospital scene) and if Ellen was meant to have one besides stuck up. There was this scene with the smoke and the chimney in which Julie and Jamie and Ellen and Euen, and I felt absolutely nothing. I was bored reading it because a)
Besides, the book was kind of dull. Not the plot in general, but the way it was written, the lines the characters had. Certain scenes (like when Julie and Ellen went to that performance that Frank gave Julie tickets for) just felt like filler There were a few interesting characters---Solange, Frank Dunbar, the Water Baliff and maybe Mary Kinnaird. I practically skimmed the pages when one of their names weren't there. Even the crime itself didn't intrigue me. Maybe it would've been different if Housman was a character we'd gotten to know a little ahead of time so that his disappearance would've been more concerning. And if the big item that was stolen couldn't be so simply found. Mystery novels should keep you at the edge of your seat; make you think, make you want to try and solve the crime. This book didn't do that for me.
And then the author tried to show issues of prejudice in this story what with the Tinkers or whatever, but then didn't do anything with it. She just ended up having Julie take advantage of her status to . Kind of defeated the whole point of the moral of the story if you ask me.
Plus the way the book ended was kind of abrupt and left a lot of loose ends untied. Did Mary and Sandy ever marry? Did the McEwens move away? What fate did the Water Baliff befall? How about Frank Dunbar? And did Ellen ever end up going to university?
I really did want to love this book. And I didn't hate it, I just didn't really like it. I did like the plot, and the way the author worked with the time period and location, and the way she went into depth with the concepts of the history of the pearls and the estate and what not. It was a great idea for a book, I just think it could've been executed better.
I love mystery books, but I love them when the author provides clues along the way that make it possible for the reader to solve the mystery as or even before the main character does.
Elizabeth Wein did not do this at all, instead randomly throwing out bits of information relating to the crime that made sense to the characters but would never make sense to any real person. It would be like, "This rope was tied to the boat in this old photo is the same rope that was on the dead guy, because all rope definitely looks completely unique so it HAD to be the same one which means that it was !" Or, since Julie had amnesia, she'd just suddenly have a flashback or remember something that would be a clue. Kind of a cheap cop out in writing if you ask me.
I didn't care for the romances at all either. I knew from the start solely because of the age difference and the way he was introduced that Julie and Frank Dunbar weren't going to last so it was like there was no point in reading about their relationship, or whatever it was. Then there was Julie and Ellen which was confusing considering Ellen also had a romance with Julie's brother Jamie? And then at the end there was an unnecessary out of nowhere a romance between . Really messy and probably not realistic for a 15 year old girl in 1930s Scotland to just run around kissing people she barely knew (including a random stranger at a train station?). At one point she even kissed At the rate Julie was going I was surprised she didn't end up making out with her own brother. I didn't care for it all. Honestly in comparison to all that I would've just preferred if Wein hadn't included romance in the story at all.
And don't even get me started on the characters. They were unlikable and two dimensional and I really couldn't care at all what happened to them. To this day I don't know what Euen's personality was supposed to be (he was a main character yet the most he'd ever spoken was in that first hospital scene) and if Ellen was meant to have one besides stuck up. There was this scene with the smoke and the chimney in which Julie and Jamie and Ellen and Euen, and I felt absolutely nothing. I was bored reading it because a)
Besides, the book was kind of dull. Not the plot in general, but the way it was written, the lines the characters had. Certain scenes (like when Julie and Ellen went to that performance that Frank gave Julie tickets for) just felt like filler There were a few interesting characters---Solange, Frank Dunbar, the Water Baliff and maybe Mary Kinnaird. I practically skimmed the pages when one of their names weren't there. Even the crime itself didn't intrigue me. Maybe it would've been different if Housman was a character we'd gotten to know a little ahead of time so that his disappearance would've been more concerning. And if the big item that was stolen couldn't be so simply found. Mystery novels should keep you at the edge of your seat; make you think, make you want to try and solve the crime. This book didn't do that for me.
And then the author tried to show issues of prejudice in this story what with the Tinkers or whatever, but then didn't do anything with it. She just ended up having Julie take advantage of her status to . Kind of defeated the whole point of the moral of the story if you ask me.
Plus the way the book ended was kind of abrupt and left a lot of loose ends untied. Did Mary and Sandy ever marry? Did the McEwens move away? What fate did the Water Baliff befall? How about Frank Dunbar? And did Ellen ever end up going to university?
I really did want to love this book. And I didn't hate it, I just didn't really like it. I did like the plot, and the way the author worked with the time period and location, and the way she went into depth with the concepts of the history of the pearls and the estate and what not. It was a great idea for a book, I just think it could've been executed better.
April 12, 2019
Not quite as good as Code Name Verity or Rose Under Fire, but still a great story. And like the other two, I listened to this as an audiobook and the narration was wonderful!! I think it added to the story!
September 12, 2018
Book on CD performed by Maggie Service
3.5***
15-year-old Julia-Beaufort Stuart comes home from finishing school for one final summer at the family’s ancestral home: Strathfearn House. She has many fond memories of time spent with her older brothers, Sandy and Jamie, and especially with her grandfather, the recently deceased Earl of Strathfearn. Now the property has been sold and is being converted into a school for boys. The construction workers have pretty much taken over the house and grounds, with the family ensconced in a few upstairs rooms, and the morning room. But a chance encounter by the river, will result in charges of murder and theft.
This is a prequel of sorts to Wein’s Code Name Verity , giving readers a little background on the character of Julia. It’s a good mystery and coming-of-age tale set in 1938 in the Scottish Highlands.
Julia is awakening to the pleasures of love, and she has two somewhat competing crushes. The construction manager, Francis Dunbar, is obviously forbidden. He is “much” older (in his 30s), and has no idea that she’s only fifteen, and she’s rather forward in showing her attraction (at least in private). Then there’s the enigmatic Ellen McEwen. She and her brother Euan are members of a family of Travelers who have worked seasonally on the Strathfearn estate for generations. Ellen is confident, bold, accomplished and angry. But she also immensely attractive to Julia.
The plot focuses on the estates treasure trove of ancient artifacts, including Bronze-age spear points, centuries-old hand-crafted items, and a jar full of Scottish river pearls, some purportedly once belonging to Mary Queen of Scots. When the archeologist hired to inventory the collection goes missing, at about the same time that Julia is found near the river with her head bashed by an unknown solid object, the local officials are quick to suspect the Travelers. Julia is certain they had nothing to do with either event, but she really cannot remember how she came to be injured.
I thought Wein did a good job of moving the plot forward and keeping the reader guessing. There are plenty of suspects and certain bits of evidence point first in one direction and then in another. I figured it out barely ahead of Julia. I was a little disappointed in how the final act played out, but still thoroughly enjoyed the novel.
There are several really good supporting characters in the book. Librarian Mary Kinnaird stands out for her dedication as the curator of the library’s collections, and her accomplishments despite her disabilities. Born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, her facial features are distorted, and she has some hearing loss, but she’s a fierce defender and stands her ground more than once. Julia’s nanny, Solange, who is also the French companion of Julia’s grandmother, stands out as well; although, she is a bit weepy and prone to hysteria. And on the other side of the coin, Sergeant Angus Henderson, the water bailiff, is a power-drunk bully who goes toe-to-toe with Julia one time too many.
The author’s note at the end of the novel gives additional historical information about Travelers as well as Scottish river pearls. Very interesting and makes me want to read more.
Maggie Service does a marvelous job voicing the audiobook. She sets a great pace, and brings Julia, Ellen, Euan and Jamie to life.
3.5***
15-year-old Julia-Beaufort Stuart comes home from finishing school for one final summer at the family’s ancestral home: Strathfearn House. She has many fond memories of time spent with her older brothers, Sandy and Jamie, and especially with her grandfather, the recently deceased Earl of Strathfearn. Now the property has been sold and is being converted into a school for boys. The construction workers have pretty much taken over the house and grounds, with the family ensconced in a few upstairs rooms, and the morning room. But a chance encounter by the river, will result in charges of murder and theft.
This is a prequel of sorts to Wein’s Code Name Verity , giving readers a little background on the character of Julia. It’s a good mystery and coming-of-age tale set in 1938 in the Scottish Highlands.
Julia is awakening to the pleasures of love, and she has two somewhat competing crushes. The construction manager, Francis Dunbar, is obviously forbidden. He is “much” older (in his 30s), and has no idea that she’s only fifteen, and she’s rather forward in showing her attraction (at least in private). Then there’s the enigmatic Ellen McEwen. She and her brother Euan are members of a family of Travelers who have worked seasonally on the Strathfearn estate for generations. Ellen is confident, bold, accomplished and angry. But she also immensely attractive to Julia.
The plot focuses on the estates treasure trove of ancient artifacts, including Bronze-age spear points, centuries-old hand-crafted items, and a jar full of Scottish river pearls, some purportedly once belonging to Mary Queen of Scots. When the archeologist hired to inventory the collection goes missing, at about the same time that Julia is found near the river with her head bashed by an unknown solid object, the local officials are quick to suspect the Travelers. Julia is certain they had nothing to do with either event, but she really cannot remember how she came to be injured.
I thought Wein did a good job of moving the plot forward and keeping the reader guessing. There are plenty of suspects and certain bits of evidence point first in one direction and then in another. I figured it out barely ahead of Julia. I was a little disappointed in how the final act played out, but still thoroughly enjoyed the novel.
There are several really good supporting characters in the book. Librarian Mary Kinnaird stands out for her dedication as the curator of the library’s collections, and her accomplishments despite her disabilities. Born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, her facial features are distorted, and she has some hearing loss, but she’s a fierce defender and stands her ground more than once. Julia’s nanny, Solange, who is also the French companion of Julia’s grandmother, stands out as well; although, she is a bit weepy and prone to hysteria. And on the other side of the coin, Sergeant Angus Henderson, the water bailiff, is a power-drunk bully who goes toe-to-toe with Julia one time too many.
The author’s note at the end of the novel gives additional historical information about Travelers as well as Scottish river pearls. Very interesting and makes me want to read more.
Maggie Service does a marvelous job voicing the audiobook. She sets a great pace, and brings Julia, Ellen, Euan and Jamie to life.
April 27, 2022
I didn't know it could be possible, but the more I read the book, the more I loved it. Maybe I wasn't in the right mindset when I started it, and I've put it aside a couple of times... Maybe it's because it is a slow start... But the second half of the book kept me at the edge of my seat.
Can't wait to read the others books of the series !
Can't wait to read the others books of the series !
February 4, 2021
This story set in a Scottish estate near Perth in the 1930s is a prequel to Code Named Verity, featuring the young Lady Julia Beaufort-Stuart, who prefers to be called Julie. In that book, she plays a heroic role as an SOE agent in France, captured by the Gestapo, displaying her 'Beaufort family traditional values of generosity, decency, & loyalty combined with strong appreciation of her Scots heritage’ (if I may quote my review). Here we see how she developed her heroic character, as Julie celebrates her 16th birthday and solves a family mystery. We also have a most affecting friendship between her and a girl at the other end of the social spectrum, the Tinker Traveller lass Ellen McEwen, who would appear again as an ATS driver in The Enigma Game. But much as I loved their relationship, it was the motor car that figures in the story, an MG K2 Magnette, that stole my heart. (In my youth I had the good fortune to drive an MG TD—looked similar but much blander.) But I hope Elizabeth Wein will forgive me a slight quibble over the driving details, specifically gear changes, as she is always so technically exact in her descriptions of aeroplanes. The Magnette sported a device called a Wilson Pre-Selector Gearbox, a sort of precursor of our automatic transmissions. (I knew that because I wasted a good part of my teenage years reading about vintage motor racing, including Tazio Nuvolari's victory in the TT.)
I'd suggest readers new to Elizabeth Wein's novels start with Code Name Verity and then if they fall in love with Julie, proceed to this one. Without Nazis, The Pearl Thief offers villains but pale by comparison, though Julie does get into a couple of tight spots here. As appropriate to Julie's age, the genre is just at the edge of romantic suspense. But both the heroines and the settings are utterly charming. And the MG is to die for!
I'd suggest readers new to Elizabeth Wein's novels start with Code Name Verity and then if they fall in love with Julie, proceed to this one. Without Nazis, The Pearl Thief offers villains but pale by comparison, though Julie does get into a couple of tight spots here. As appropriate to Julie's age, the genre is just at the edge of romantic suspense. But both the heroines and the settings are utterly charming. And the MG is to die for!
July 11, 2018
*Scottish pride intensifies*
Y'all, I loved this book. I mean?? 1920s Scotland?? Proud aristocrats sitting in the ruins of their ancient land-holdings?? Class and race prejudice??? Bagpipes??? Tam-o'-shanters???Murder???? PEARLS???? WHAT IS THERE NOT TO LIKE HERE?!
Also, the descriptions were beautiful. I'm just sayin'. And Julie is such a fun, flirty, spunky heroine--definitely a realistic teenage girl, so A++ for that. *nods*
I appreciated the honest treatment of Julie's bisexuality--and personally, I also appreciated that it never went beyond kissing (no sex scenes or anything). So, you know, a lot cleaner than many YA reads in that regard.
[Be aware that there are several scenes revolving around Discovery of a Dead Body that kind of made me raise my eyebrows, and I love Agatha Christie, so.]
Conclusion: Elizabeth Wein never disappoints, does she?
As fair art thou, my bonny lass . . . so deep in love am I . . . and I will love thee still, my dear, till all the seas gang dry . . .
Y'all, I loved this book. I mean?? 1920s Scotland?? Proud aristocrats sitting in the ruins of their ancient land-holdings?? Class and race prejudice??? Bagpipes??? Tam-o'-shanters???Murder???? PEARLS???? WHAT IS THERE NOT TO LIKE HERE?!
Also, the descriptions were beautiful. I'm just sayin'. And Julie is such a fun, flirty, spunky heroine--definitely a realistic teenage girl, so A++ for that. *nods*
I appreciated the honest treatment of Julie's bisexuality--and personally, I also appreciated that it never went beyond kissing (no sex scenes or anything). So, you know, a lot cleaner than many YA reads in that regard.
[Be aware that there are several scenes revolving around Discovery of a Dead Body that kind of made me raise my eyebrows, and I love Agatha Christie, so.]
Conclusion: Elizabeth Wein never disappoints, does she?
As fair art thou, my bonny lass . . . so deep in love am I . . . and I will love thee still, my dear, till all the seas gang dry . . .
December 3, 2018
Tak mě Elizabeth Wein zase dostala. "You're a brave lassie," začíná The Pearl Thief, jako ozvěna prvních vět Krycího jména Verity. A není jediná; Queenie, příšerný orientační smysl a ty růže, ty růže z Francie... Přesto se dá Zloděj perel číst i sám o sobě, je to taková historická detektivka s několika důležitými tématy v pozadí. Předsudky, člověk versus příroda, nostalgie, chamtivost. A hlavní hrdinka v průběhu knihy dospívá v nezávislou mladou ženu. První půlku jsem se krapet nudila, ale od poloviny to nabralo na obrátkách a bylo čím dál lepší. Elizabeth Wein zkrátka umí. Moc vám její knížky doporučuju.
June 18, 2017
HOW DID I NOT KNOW THERE WAS GOING TO BE A PREQUEL AHHH IM SO EXCITED
October 25, 2017
“The wave of memory had submerged me for a whole minute, while I’d just sat staring and let it all come flooding back”.
We received a copy of this novel from Bloomsbury Australia in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Bloomsbury!
We were just so excited to read ‘The Pearl Thief’ when it arrived in the mail, which was such a lovely surprise! We have been wanting to read ‘Code Named Verity’ for a while now which we can’t wait to pick up! When reading this prequel story, we weren’t sure what to expect due to all the hype around the author. Although we were a little disappointed with the world we still did enjoy this read.
The Pearl Thief follows Julia Beaufort-Stuart a fifteen-year-old girl who wakes up in hospital desperately trying to fill in the gaps for the events/ points in time which she can’t remember. As she retraces her footsteps she meets new people who are similar in age called Ellen and Euan. The two take her on an adventure of a lifetime where she discovers the price of which people pay, herself and the truth behind her country town.
We aren’t entirely sure if we enjoyed Julia as the main protagonist. Although we really did love when she found the voice to stand up for others. However, we also felt as though she was a little immature at times.
We did really enjoy the character of Ellen though. She was strong-minded and let everyone know exactly what she believed in. We just wish we got to know Euan a bit better as his character was a little distant in the story-line.
We also enjoyed the romance aspects that were included in the plot. We were quite surprised to find a different relationship building, especially in this historical fiction novel 😊.
The mystery aspects of the novel were enjoyable and we did find ourselves coming to all different types of strange conclusions! A link to finding/ looking for pearls definitely added to the novels spark.
Overall, The Pearl Thief was an enjoyable read. It explored a time where people found it hard to stand up for what they believed in, however, family, friends and believing in each other were definitely some of our favourite themes which were covered within the novel. The friendship building was just beautiful!
Book Rating: 3/5 Stars.
We received a copy of this novel from Bloomsbury Australia in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Bloomsbury!
We were just so excited to read ‘The Pearl Thief’ when it arrived in the mail, which was such a lovely surprise! We have been wanting to read ‘Code Named Verity’ for a while now which we can’t wait to pick up! When reading this prequel story, we weren’t sure what to expect due to all the hype around the author. Although we were a little disappointed with the world we still did enjoy this read.
The Pearl Thief follows Julia Beaufort-Stuart a fifteen-year-old girl who wakes up in hospital desperately trying to fill in the gaps for the events/ points in time which she can’t remember. As she retraces her footsteps she meets new people who are similar in age called Ellen and Euan. The two take her on an adventure of a lifetime where she discovers the price of which people pay, herself and the truth behind her country town.
We aren’t entirely sure if we enjoyed Julia as the main protagonist. Although we really did love when she found the voice to stand up for others. However, we also felt as though she was a little immature at times.
We did really enjoy the character of Ellen though. She was strong-minded and let everyone know exactly what she believed in. We just wish we got to know Euan a bit better as his character was a little distant in the story-line.
We also enjoyed the romance aspects that were included in the plot. We were quite surprised to find a different relationship building, especially in this historical fiction novel 😊.
The mystery aspects of the novel were enjoyable and we did find ourselves coming to all different types of strange conclusions! A link to finding/ looking for pearls definitely added to the novels spark.
Overall, The Pearl Thief was an enjoyable read. It explored a time where people found it hard to stand up for what they believed in, however, family, friends and believing in each other were definitely some of our favourite themes which were covered within the novel. The friendship building was just beautiful!
Book Rating: 3/5 Stars.
May 8, 2019
The characters in The Pearl Thief are so vivid and each is unique! I really feel that I know them. The writing is amazing! ...and the mystery! I couldn't stop reading.
Julie is a wonderful character -- the perfect combination of curiosity, bravery, prowess, pluck, pride, sophistication, and playfulness. She has a good moral compass and can empathize with others, even though she has not much personal experience. The Tinkers, Ellen, Euan and their family, present an interesting class and life-style contrast, which helps put the story into its historical context, namely 1930s Scotland. Especially Julie and Ellen's relationship displays an intriguing dynamic, as the two learn from each other and overcome their own stereotypes to establish a deep and lasting friendship.
Before reading, I had no idea that this book is the prequel for the wildly popular Code Name Verity series. This is my first Elizabeth Wein book, but I can't wait to read more. Wein's writing is so colorful and descriptive that I felt I'd been thrown back in time to another time, another place, and I was right there beside Julia, sharing her experiences, learning from her mistakes, and solving the mystery!
I received a copy of this book from Disney-Hyperion via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Julie is a wonderful character -- the perfect combination of curiosity, bravery, prowess, pluck, pride, sophistication, and playfulness. She has a good moral compass and can empathize with others, even though she has not much personal experience. The Tinkers, Ellen, Euan and their family, present an interesting class and life-style contrast, which helps put the story into its historical context, namely 1930s Scotland. Especially Julie and Ellen's relationship displays an intriguing dynamic, as the two learn from each other and overcome their own stereotypes to establish a deep and lasting friendship.
Before reading, I had no idea that this book is the prequel for the wildly popular Code Name Verity series. This is my first Elizabeth Wein book, but I can't wait to read more. Wein's writing is so colorful and descriptive that I felt I'd been thrown back in time to another time, another place, and I was right there beside Julia, sharing her experiences, learning from her mistakes, and solving the mystery!
I received a copy of this book from Disney-Hyperion via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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