A few of my favourite things: mystery, historic and middle grade book!
Set in the eighteenth century, Lizzie and Dido are from very different lifestyles but one thing they definitely have in common is they love to solve mysteries!
They meet at Drury Lane theatre, see something suspicious on the stage and find themselves solving a mystery and help people stop disappearing.
Fast paced, exciting story. The characters are well developed and well rounded. They are inspired by famous people in history which will get the reader to do more research afterwards (I know I definitely did!) England at that time is brilliantly written about, the story also speaks of the fight against slavery and the people who wanted to stop it.
Great discussions and research can be had in classrooms using this text.

This is a middle grade mystery series and it is set in the eighteenth century London.
A twelve year old Lizzie and Dido are from different worlds, Lizzie lives in Westminster in her dads tea shop and Bella is an heiress who's being Brough up by her aunt and uncle in the grand Kenwood House, but they both love solving mysteries.
When their eyes meet in the audience of the Drury Lane theatre one night, both girls are sure they've seen something suspicious on stage, and they find themselves on the trail of a mystery and becoming best friends. But can they work out what's going on in time to prevent a murder?

Even though this is for middle grade, I really did enjoy it and I think the narrator did a really good job at telling the story because it kept me interested and wanting to know, and both of the characters were great and I loved following their adventure.

Thank you to net galley and the author for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this middle grade, historical, mystery audiobook.
The characters, even ones we don't see often, felt well rounded and the mystery was engaging. I appreciated the truthfulness to the time - our characters being inspired by real people and (no spoilers) things that really happened in that time playing a part.
I think this book would be a great launching pad for discussion for kids, especially in the classroom.

Personally, I'd have liked just a little more of the finding clues but overall, it was a really great story and I'm now heading to another tab to read about the real Dido Belle!

As a teacher, I really enjoyed the story. The audiobook was well narrated and I really enjoyed the different voices.
I have already bought this book to be read in my school.
It’s a fantastic portrayal of life in England in the past, the fight against slavery and the Parliamentary processes to try and stop it.
It also includes fantastic character, Ignatius, Sancho and his children (of which Lizzie is one) and wife and the entire premise of a society that doesn’t trust black people , yet is putting on a play of Othello, starring a black man which is controversial, some people are concerned that the only portrayal of black people on stage is of a murderer. We are literally living the same story over and over again, in the present, where many black people are portrayed as criminals, or incapable people in the media,
Lizzie and Belle set out to solve the mystery of disappearing people.
Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this fantastic audio book

Lizzie and Belle has fast become one of my favourite series! I was completely immersed in the Victorian world that this book portrayed. For fans of robin steven's, this historical mystery had just the right amount of friendship, mystery and danger!

The characters in this are utterly fabulous and I loved the weaving of history into the story as well as it being central to the mystery- a great way to bring history (especially forgotten histories) to life for young readers. I did find some elements of this a bit convoluted and also unrealistic - the ending of this took away from the story for me. Very much for fans of Robin Steven books, it follows a very similar format and formula, but this is a great mystery with to feisty and intelligent young women at its heart! And a superb narrator on the audiobook.

I absolutely flew through this brilliant new detective series, reading both the physical book and listening to the audiobook.

Set in 1700s London, Lizzie and Belle meet unexpectedly but find they both have inquisitive minds and love solving mysteries so when Lizzie's Dad (the first black man to take to the stage in Othello) narrowly survives an attempt on his life, the girls are determined to investigate, despite all of the ways society and other people try to stop them.

A key part of the story was the girls finding out about slavery and this was woven well into the story - a child who didn't know much about it would learn lots, while someone who had some understanding of this part of history would see a different side of it.

It was great to read a historical novel for children where the main characters aren't white and middle class and the mystery/detective aspect made it really pacey and engaging.

The audio recording was really well done with an excellent narrator.

"𝙈𝙖𝙢𝙖 𝙨𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙛 𝙬𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨, 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙙𝙤 𝙞𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙪𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙬𝙚 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙙𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩, 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙞𝙩 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩?
𝙐𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙨, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙜𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙛𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧"

I am totally here for stories set in an alternate history where if you aren't a white man, you are still allowed to thrive.
This is a great one for middle grade readers, especially as it mentions a lot of people from our actual history and could lead them to do their own factual research. (Lizzie Sancho / Dido Belle)

I think this book offers a fantastic balance of mystery and historical scrutiny/consideration and has a wonderfully modernised Gerogian feel to it.
It's a very fun, fast paced, witty and inspiring read and I understand why it is a series.

Very much enjoyed this, the friendship that blossoms between Lizzie and Belle, and their detective ways. A good puzzling mystery that you can try to solve alongside them. The obvious comparison will be Robin Stevens, which yes fans will enjoy it but I feel the relationships of characters, the setting, and how the story is told are different that it will also be loved by those who don't love Robin Stevens and vice versa.

A fun middle-grade, based on real events in British history that includes many important and overlooked aspects of British history. HOWEVER I really disliked how non-immersed we were in the era there were a few 4th wall breaks like "maybe one day you will be able to instantly message someone but this is how the postage system works~~" which really took me out of the story.

Narration was great and would recommend as an audio for those interested - great for a family drive this summer.

18th century London and a hooha on the stage. A real black man is going to play Othello but there are many who don't think he should.

When Lizzie's dad is attacked live on stage, she sets out to find out the truth behind the offence. She teams up with Belle and their suffering backgrounds complement one another very well.

The events in the story were inspired by British Black History and are a great way to start to look at the crushing of slavery.

Well narrated and great for fans of Alice Eclair - Spy Extraordinaire or Murder Most Unladylike.

Drama and Danger (The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries)" by J.T. Williams is an excellent middle-grade mystery book that is sure to captivate young readers with its intriguing plot, lovable characters, and fascinating historical setting.
The book is set in 18th-century London and follows the story of two twelve-year-old girls from very different backgrounds, Lizzie Sancho and Dido Belle. Lizzie lives in Westminster and helps her father run his tea shop, while Belle is an heiress being raised by her aunt and uncle in the grand Kenwood House. Despite their different upbringings, the girls share a love for solving mysteries and quickly become best friends.

One night, while attending a performance at the Drury Lane theatre, Lizzie and Belle notice something suspicious happening on stage. They decide to investigate, which sets them off on a thrilling adventure full of danger and drama. The mystery is fast-paced and suspenseful, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

One of the best things about this book is the friendship between Lizzie and Belle. The girls' bond is heart-warming and genuine, and the author does an excellent job of developing their characters throughout the story. Lizzie is curious, brave, and determined, while Belle is intelligent, compassionate, and resourceful. The dynamic between the two girls is realistic and relatable, and their relationship will likely inspire young readers to value the importance of true friendship.

The historical setting of 18th-century London is also a highlight of the book. The author has done an excellent job of bringing the period to life, with rich and vivid descriptions of the city, its people, and its culture. The book includes a diverse cast of characters, including real historical figures such as Dido Elizabeth Belle, who was a mixed-race heiress and lived in Kenwood House in the 1700s. The book's historical accuracy and attention to detail are impressive and will likely spark an interest in history for young readers.

The only criticism of the book is that some parts of the story feel a bit rushed and underdeveloped. There are times when the plot feels a bit too convenient, and some of the character development could have been more nuanced. Nonetheless, these issues do not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the book.

In conclusion, #TheLizzieandBelleMysteriesDramaandDanger by J.T. Williams is a highly entertaining and informative middle-grade mystery book that is perfect for young readers who enjoy historical fiction and detective stories. The book's engaging plot, lovable characters, and fascinating historical setting make it an excellent choice for parents and educators who are looking for inspiring and educational literature for children.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery story with a historical twist. I give it a solid 4/5 star rating.

I would like to thank HarperCollins Audio UK and #NetGalley for sending me an advanced copy # TheLizzieandBelleMysteriesDramaandDanger in exchange for my own honest review. This book was due for release on June 09, 2022.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all opinions are my own.*

This was a really enjoyable middle-grade detective adventure that was both cute and had exceptional representation of Black lives in the late 1700s.

The two main protagonists, Belle and Lizzie, become detectives and try to solve the mystery behind the attack of Lizzie’s father. The author does a fantastic job at writing a historical fiction that appeals to a younger audience. She adds historical facts without the story feeling like a history lesson. I love historical fiction and am thrilled to find a book that makes the genre accessible to a younger audience; I would have adored this book at school.

I loved the characters and enjoyed their relationship dynamic. They were both resilient, strong and kind. The plot was also fantastic, as the girls gradually unravel the mystery it gets darker and became full of suspense.

Overall, I thought this was a fantastic children’s crime story which managed to combine a political critique of slavery with an exciting mystery story that is accessible and enjoyable for young children.

#TheLizzieandBelleMysteriesDramaandDanger #NetGalley

Lizzie and Belle meet just after Lizzie's father almost gets killed on stage while playing Othello, and they both believe that this was no accident!
It's a really exciting adventure with some nail-biting sections. Lizzie & Belle are both lovely characters and they have such a sweet friendship. I liked how brave they were and how they didn't give up on trying to solve the case, despite all the discouragement.
The narrator is great, though I did end up suspecting one of the characters due to the way they were voiced (and I was right!).

This is a great mystery story for young readers to listen to. Can Lizzie and Belle get to the bottom of what is going on in the theatrical setting of the era, and protect Lizzie’s father; or in fact can they even protect themselves. Set in London in the 18th century. Fictional story based on actual people of the time. You are also introduced to aspects of the impact of the slavery trade and its abolition. Thank you to Harper Collins Audio Uk and NetGalley for the audio ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

I was granted access to the audio book of this work by Netgalley free of charge in return for an honest review. Growing up I was a big fan of the american girls serries. It was a look at history through the eyes of young ladies who were close to my own age and thus grew my love of historical fiction.

However as I got into highschool most historical fiction i found was centered around boys and young men. This dampened my joy. Later in life Iwould come into contact with more authors in the genre that portrayed ladies as main characters. But that still left me wondering what else was there for a pre teen or teen after we aged out of American girls .

The answer comes in form of this amazing mystery. Set in eighteenth-century London, with all the fun and zest of Hamilton, Bridgerton fashion and inspired by real Black British historical figures.

In this story we meet Lizzie Sancho and Dido Belle are from different worlds – Lizzie lives in Westminster in her dad’s tea shop, while Belle is an heiress being brought up by her aunt and uncle at grand Kenwood House .

They meet at The Theatre Royal on Dury Lane. During the opening night of Shakespeare's Othello. Something terrible happens ! Lizzie's father is almost killed by a falling piece of scenery ! Was it an accident? Or could it be attempted murder?

Lizzie and Belle team up to find out and soon become fast friends.

It's a wonderful story and I loved every moment. I can't wait to see what mystery Lizzie and Belle solve next!

This was such an enjoyable book to read!

Drama and Danger is a Middle-Grade mystery novel set in the 18th century, and the feel and vibes of this story were beautiful! I love how the author gave context to everything so that anybody who is not familiar with things such as writing a letter in that era will learn about it and be able to picture it. That was very well done.

I have to say the characters were adorable and I loved the interactions, particularly between Lizzie and Belle and between Lizzie and her older sister. I also love the way that racism is addressed in this story in some subtle and not-so-subtle ways. For example, when somebody tried to touch Lizzie's hair. I loved her mother's reaction.

I listened to the audiobook version of this book and need to say that the narrator was fantastic! I couldn't imagine a better voice narrating this story.

I rated this book 4 stars instead of 5, as I felt it was longer than it needed to have been, with some parts of the story being slightly slower. But that is a personal preference, as I prefer books that are fast-paced.

I definitely recommend this book to anybody (all ages) and cannot wait to read the next one!

I really enjoyed reading Drama and Danger by J.T Williams via audiobook. The narrator did a wonderful job bringing a variety of characters to life.

There was a mystery to be solved in late 18thcentury London....how did a chandelier nearly crush the first black actor to play Othello on a British stage?

The absolute magic of this book is the representation of black people and as the author acknowledges how more and more evidence shows a rich black community in London/Britain at this time. A reminder that our preconceived notions of history are all too often written with an agenda, meaning those on the periphery are often left out of the conversation. The narrator brings all these different people to life, with feeling, I loved listening to her.

Aaaand great news, there's more to come in the series.

Oh and although this us a review of the audiobook, I want to say the illustrations by Simone Douglas are also wonderful.

When a chandelier falls on the stage at her dad, Lizzie is afraid it wasn't just an accident. Lizzie and her friend Belle decide to follow the trails and solve this mystery to clear away her doubts. The more they seek, the darker sides of the story emerge. And now they are so entangled that the murderer might just come in and pick them up like a spider treat.

A cute but informative representation of Black lives in the 19th century, that highlights their struggles for survival and representation. It was a great book for a one-time read. But I am not sure if I will reach back for it again. A statement however that has stuck in me is "he is not one of us" - how do we as humans get so deluded to forget the other person in front of us is also a human, irrespective of their caste, religion or race?

Genre: #middlegrade #cozymystery
Rating: 3/5 ⭐️

Thankyou @netgalley @harpercollinsuk for the Digital ARC
#TheLizzieandBelleMysteriesDramaandDanger #NetGalley

I’m all for a book set throughout past history (in a time where when if you weren’t a white man, you were probably oppressed and in the minority) and focusing on said oppressed minority and seeing them thrive.

Here we have two kickass young girls, fab role models and a great story to boot. It made for very easy reading and was entertaining too if you don’t take things too seriously!

I also love that it included and shed some light on Othello, a Shakespeare tragedy that Lizzie’s father had a starring role in. It didn’t just briefly mention as you’d maybe expect in most stories, but they worked it into the plot. Explaining the play and making my Shakespeare admiring heart very happy. It was a great addition to introduce this great playwright to a younger audience, all wrapped up in a fun way in this book.

Lizzie and Belle are such great characters and I loved following their adventures- Trying to get to the bottom of a mystery centred around a potentially fatal mishap at the theatre. I can already tell it’s going to be a great series for younger readers in the future!

DRAMA AND DANGER is a great historical mystery set in Georgian London, following two Black girls as they try to keep their loved ones safe - and find themselves caught in dark schemes to strip people of their liberty.

This book contains lots of real people, weaving them together. Lizzie Sancho, Ignatius Sancho, and Dido Belle are just three of the real people found within the pages. I loved that. While the story itself is fiction, it explores real events and problems, bringing historical lives not often explored (particularly that of Black working class women) to vivid life.

The narrator, Amanda Bright, was very good. The book has a variety of accents (including American, Jamaican, and Cockney.) It is also adapting a book with "mixed media" elements, including letter exchanges and newspaper clippings. It's all brought together smoothly without a hitch as the book switches between narration and other media.

The print copy is also illustrated with is another way in which the world is richly brought to life. There are lots of little details, from stage makeup of the day to street names, which show off the depth of research brought into this book. They've been carefully selected to bring sights and sounds and smells to life on the page.

There is a second book out soon, and the final chapter gives a big hint as to the mystery that Lizzie and Bell are going to solve!