Clem Fatale Has Been Betrayed

By Author / Illustrator

Eve Wersocki Morris, illus Honie Beam

Genre

Mystery & Detective

Age range(s)

Publisher

Little Tiger

ISBN

9781788957502

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

03-04-2025

Synopsis

London, 1951: Clem Fatale, the youngest crook in the city, is on a mission to find her dad. Jimmy Fatale, notorious jewel thief and leader of the Spider Gang, has gone missing and with him the greatest prize in London: the Fool's Canary.

Along with her prisoner and/or sidekick Gilbert (depends who you're asking), Clem sets off on a rip-roaring chase through the London underworld. Racing through dodgy dives, glamorous nightclubs, greasy spoons and secret alleyways, Clem and Gilbert are soon pursued by a host of friends and foes.

Will Clem find her father in time? Or will the most sinister villain this side of the river put a stop to all her plans?

A rollicking middle grade series full of madcap escapades, fast-talking dames and unlikely heroes, perfect for fans of MURDER MOST UNLADYLIKE, ENOLA HOLMES, ADVENTURES ON TRAINS and Katherine Woodfine.

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Reviews

Rachel

Clem Fatale has Been Betrayed is a fabulous new read packed with humour and dastardly adventure. I loved it! Set in London in 1951 we are introduced to Clem Fatale, youngest member of the Spider gang and daughter of one of the most notorious crooks in the city. When a jewel heist goes wrong, and Clem's dad Jimmy disappears, it is up to Clem to find him.

As with all good adventure stories there is a wonderful cast of disparate characters including my favourite, Gilbert, the naïve and uncomplicated son of Lord Weatherdale. Readers will find humour in the names of the characters (Twizzler and Mascarpone) as well as in the little incidental actions that run parallel to the main plot.

There are also full-page illustrations by Honie Beam spread across the book, making this an appealing book for readers who might not want to read something too long. For those who do this is a satisfying read, and for those who are unsure of being on the side of the gang, there is a touching speech from Clem's dad about how the post-war world had changed Britain and how he wanted to help put it right. Think a modern day Robin Hood.

Clem returns in a second adventure in 2026 and I for one can't wait to read it.

240 pages / Reviewed by Rachel Bolton

Jane

This fast-paced mystery set in post-WWII London, which centres around the theft of a diamond called The Fool's Canary by Jimmy Fatale's Spider, has a diverse cast of colourful characters. Readers will have their own favourites, chief among them 12-year-old Clem, of course. She's very determined and used to being in a tight spot. Gilbert isn't, but he is up for adventure and becomes a very likeable and unlikely hero. But there are villains too, with suitably villainous names, as well as others of dubious nature. Should Clem trust fellow gang members Twizzler, Screw and Monty, or is one of them a traitor with a hand in dad's kidnap?

Clem must find out and we join her on that dangerous mission in Clem Fatale Has Been Betrayed, with all its scary twists and turns. Honie Beam's illustrations are a great accompaniment to a story which grips from the first to the very last page. Featuring smoky clubs, gun-toting gangsters and car chases, it is nonetheless full of humour and there's a slim but noticeable thread running through the book about respecting immigrants; those like Konrad and Winnie whose contribution to British society is worth honouring.

A book I shall be recommending to fans of a good Mystery and which primary school librarians would do well to get for their KS2s. It would also make an exciting class read.

240 pages / Reviewed by Jane Rew, school librarian