This was an excellent middle grade mystery told in an historical setting. I was instantly transported to Bristol where a theatre troupe live out their days as a found family performing for the locals and royals near to the quay where pirate ships fill the moorings and Mouse our young, but brave, protagonist is trying to solve a murder. The setting was [probably the star of this book, especially the Moth Theatre. I could smell the make up and the costumes and hear the creak of the stage in the descri0ptions. Mouse was a wonderfully courageous character and she was filled with spirit. The mystery was really entertaining and I enjoyed following Mouse as she uncovered the truth.

Having loved Fleur Hitchcock's modern mystery books, I was eager to read a historical mystery by her and Mouse Heart did not disappoint. The reader is plunged into the theatre world of early modern England, a setting rich with possibilities that Hitchcock does not fail to make the most of. The Moth Theatre, where the foundling Mouse lives, is brilliantly brought to life, as are the characters that inhabit it, from the self-centred drama queen, Valentina, to Mouse's kindly friend, Walter. Mouse is a wonderful central character - brave, resourceful and loyal. Her determination to clear Walter's name and her bravery in pursuing this are moving and inspiring. This is a book full of adventure and daring and rich with description. a delight from start to finish.

This is a high action, high drama, high tension and nonstop action story. The main character, Mouse, grows a lot over the story and really comes into her own. The other characters were interesting and very quirky (appropriate for a theatre company) and brought a lot of color to the story.

I see that this is marked as suitable for the 9+ age group and that may be true for some kids but it is very much too much for my sensitive 9-year-old. So I would approach with caution, considering there are several murders where the bodies are briefly described, tense sword-fight scenes, a fire, poison, and a lot of tension where the main character knows who the murderer is but doesn't know how to let anyone else know and is too close to them to ever feel safe.

For kids who are able to handle that, however, this is a great story and a lot of fun.

The age of the main character and the way her POV is written makes the story seem younger than one would expect with the themes of murder and danger. So the writing tracks with the recommended age group and is a bit of a mismatch with the content, I think.

I listened to the audio version of this story and I would say that it is very much overacted and the voices are extremely melodramatic to the point that I almost couldn't listen to it. However, as the story takes place in a theatre company, perhaps that is fitting, and I did grow used to it as the story progressed.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Nosy Crow for providing an early copy for review.

Whilst this book did not grab me instantly, I can imagine recommending it to certain children in my class. Mouse is a likeable character and the mystery unravels nicely. The description of the settings is good and makes it easy for the reader to imagine.

A action packed book of characters and plots. This story is based on our main character Mouse from Moth theatre. Mouse's friend Walter is wrongfully imprisoned for the murder of a lady. Mouse starts to investigate the real culprit in order to save Walter. There are lots of twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. A fun book for children and adults.
My thanks go to the author, publisher and Netgalley in providing this arc in return for a honest review

I adored this book, there are a great cast of characters and exciting plots to get lost in. The plot focuses on Mouse, a young girl who works in the Moth theatre. A lady is killed and her friend Walter is wrongfully imprisoned for the murder. Mouse sets out to find out who really did it, so she can save her friend. There's lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing and the action at the end is very exciting. I would definitely recommend this for children age 8-12 (and any grown ups who enjoy children's literature).

This book didn't make a huge impression on me. It was enjoyable enough. But I didn't feel there was any depth to any of the characters. they all had a feeling of 'i needed a character to fill this slot', like main character, villain, bully, not really bully but is too shy to speak out. But none of them had personality beyond that, or at least, that's how it felt to me.
the story itself was good, but a little overdone and nothing particularly new.
still, it was a good enough read and i think kids around 8 would probably enjoy this book. It's not over complicated and doesn't use particularly difficult language.

I wanted to love this book, but the writing really didn't do it for me and kept me from enjoying the story.

After only recently discovering Fleur Hitchcock when I read “The Boy Who Flew”, I was really excited when I received an ARC of her new book, “Mouse Heart” - thank you Nosy Crow and Net Galley.

Set in the early eighteenth century, in a place much resembling Bristol at that time, this is the tale of Mouse; a young orphan, looked after by the troupe of the Moth Theatre. When Mouse’s beloved guardian and leading light of the theatre, Walter, is accused of a crime that Mouse is sure he didn’t commit, she will stop at nothing to clear his name and free him from the gaol. She knows that Walter would never commit such atrocities, and so begins the deadly hunt for who did… but could that person be closer than Mouse thinks?

A fabulous cast of mismatched characters bring this fantastically plotted period adventure to life. Hitchcock’s writing perfectly paints the gloomy, filthy, bleak existence of the time; very much appealing to the reader’s senses. You are with the courageous Mouse, running through the grimy backs, smelling the filth and hearing the calls of the sailors in the docks, as she races to uncover the identity of the murderer.

This dark tale of bravery, murder, danger, lies and deceit is a real triumph! It’ll have your heart-racing - this is very much a game of cat and Mouse!

@FleurHitchcock @NosyCrow @NetGalley
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Found it unputdownable which was appreciated as the 8yo gained an extra pool hour! Heard good things, so glad it met expectations. Can think of so many pupils who will love the gritty nature of the story.
#RfP

Mouse Heart is an action-packed thriller, with twists, turns and unexpected revelations in almost every chapter. It’s quite a gruesome read with sinister villains to hate and a protagonist to root for. It’s beautifully written and is a language rich read for pupils in Year 5 and above. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Fleur Hitchcock has written a stunning book that will twang at your heartstrings. Mouse has grown up in the theatre and loves her friends and the life she lives. Walter, the leading man and one of her friends, is accused of killing Lady Margaret Grey, and put into prison. Whilst trying to prove his innocence, Mouse uncovers a plot to assassinate the Queen. She then has a race against time to stop the plot and bring the correct person to justice.
Such a clever, twisty plot, with great details.. Mouse was such a sparky character that it will be hard to forget her.

I read this in one sitting as I could not put it down. Filled with twists and turns, I found myself willing the tenacious Mouse to successfully solve the mystery. I will definitely be buying a copy for our school library.

Mouse Heart
By Fleur Hitchcock
Published by Nosy Crow Ltd

What a gripping page turner of a novel!
Bursting with period atmosphere and theatrical excitement, this historical murder-mystery from the author of The Boy Who Flew, does NOT disappoint.

When Mouse sees the trail of mistakes left by a cold-blooded killer, she is determined to free the wrongly accused. Her character is strong and brave but her curiosity cannot falter, if she is to prove her point.

But as additional killings are made the stakes are raised and the secret identity of one is revealed as the ruthless killer. As Mouse's investigation leads her ever closer to their true, deadly nature, can she outwit them without losing everything she holds dear?

This atmospheric thriller for youngsters tickles the senses via stunts, tricks and vocabulary treats. A thoroughly enjoyable escapism into the life of crime.

Joanne Bardgett - Year 3 teacher of littlies, lover of books
#Netgallery
# Nosy Crow Ltd

We absolutely LOVED this book , the children, me and even Grumpy Grandad. The story of mouse's adventures had us groaning and cheering. It was really difficult to put it down at bedtime , so maybe not a book to read on school nights. There was much in the book for the youngest listener to the older teenage reader. A lovely book to share. One of this year's favourite books.

The phrase that sprang to mind as I dived into this wonderful story was "Murder most foul" and what follows is a fantastic murder mystery, filled with plot twists, intrigue, a dastardly villain and a wonderfully written protagonist all set to the backdrop of a fictional historic Bristol.
Fleur Hitchcock has provided an entertaining spirited story that is vibrantly atmospheric. The sights, sounds and even the smells of the time seem to ooze off the page. This is a cleverly written story that will be one of this year's must reads.
A triumphant 5 star read.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers Nosy Crow for this early read in return for an honest review.

A great adventure story, skilfully told, that romps along with all the energy of the characters in the Moth Theatre where the tale is set. Fleur Hitchcock superbly brings the theatre and her town to life and her central character, Mouse, is brave and clever in equal measure. Hitchcock doesn’t shy away from gruesome details, meaning readers aged 9+ will delight in the adventure and be thrilled (and possibly slightly horrified) by the murder mystery. I loved every minute of this story and was sorry when it was finished.