‘My name is Verity Sparks, and I’ve got itchy fingers.’

So begins this historical mystery novel about an orphaned young psychic who has a special talent for finding things. It is pleasantly reminiscent of Philip Pullman’s Sally Lockhart novels, with the Victorian-era interest in spiritualism and class tensions, and there are plenty of delicious characters with motives for a variety of crimes. However, the ultimate mystery to be solved by our young heroine is the truth about her parentage and her special gift.

Middle readers interested in the paranormal, along with those who like a good mystery story, will love this book. Call me psychic, but I predict this won’t be the last we hear of young Verity Sparks.

Angela Crocombe is a childrens’ book specialist at Readings St Kilda.