The Firebird Mystery by Darrell Pitt

In his steam punk Sherlock Holmes mashup, Melbourne-based writer Darrell Pitt playfully manipulates reality and history to create a fast-paced mystery.

Teenage orphan Jack Mason keenly misses his circus performer parents, but his harsh and grounded life at Sunnyside Orphanage takes a sudden leap when eccentric Ignatius Doyle, a consulting detective, offers Jack employment as well as a father figure, of sorts. Doyle recognises that Jack’s considerable acrobatic skills, bravery and quick-thinking are the ideal complement to his own knack for acute observation and mystery-solving.

Their first case begins with a missing person but quickly escalates into a dramatic plot to save the world from a very surprising villain. Along the way there are references to great works of art, historical characters (in alternative roles) and Nazism. Pitt keeps it light with humour and far-fetched rescues. Readers will also enjoy the steam-powered transport – air ships and space steamers – as well as the 200-mile-high metro tower.

This is Jack Mason’s second outing – Pitt previously published an early version of this story himself – and readers won’t have long to wait for the sequel. Recommended for ages 9 and up.


Emily Gale