The Unexpected Tale of Bastien Bonlivre

Trapped in a Parisian orphanage, mysterious circumstances surrounding his parent's deaths, Bastien Bonlivre follows in their footsteps as a writer and is determined to discover what really happened to his mother and father. Monsieur Xavier, appointed as the new director of the orphanage under suspicious circumstances, seems equally determined to make life difficult for the orphans, Bastien in particular. In the city, meanwhile, authors are going missing and clues seem to point to the dastardly bestselling novelist, Olivier Odieux. It is up to Bastien and his talented friends to escape their prison and work together for justice!

The Unexpected Tale of Bastien Bonlivre is a lovely Parisian mystery for children aged nine and above, with themes of friendship, perseverance, courage and hope in the face of a challenge. However, an excessive use of similes and clunky description takes the reader out of the story to a certain extent, not quite allowing the adventure to breathe. The novel is peppered with French words and phrases that can be found in translation in the glossary at the back, which is a nice touch, but some may find frustrating. Some charming illustrations by Heloise Mab, this is a good bedtime read for fans of Robin Stevens or Anna James.

352 pages / Reviewed by Rhiannon Cook, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 9+