Title:

The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow

Author:

Katherine Woodfine

Category:

Mystery / Thriller

Rating:

Date Reviewed:

April 14, 2026

he Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow is a children's book. I picked it up because (for reasons I don't understand myself), I like book cover art that has silhouettes. The heroine of the story is Sophie, an orphan who has managed to get a job in the newly-opening Sinclair store. Mr Sinclair is an extremely wealthy American who is opening his department store in London. It is after the Boer War (Sophie's father died in that war) but prior to World War I. There are still horses and carriages in the streets of London. Young Sophie is ecstatic that she has snared a desirable position in the hat department - now she has a steady job in a glamorous location.

Also working at Sinclair's is Billy; a young lad about Sophie's age (which I think was thirteen). Billy works as a messenger in the store. Sometimes Billy is assigned chores in the stables or acts as a package delivery boy. He likes to sneak away and read thrilling detective stories, but his exasperated uncle invariably catches him slacking and threatens Billy with unemployment.

Sophie becomes friends with glamorous, beautiful Lily, who is few years older. Lily is employed at Sinclair's as a dress model; it is Lily's job to walk around wearing one of the dresses available in the clothing department. Lily aspires to be a famous actress, but for now she is working at Sinclair's.

The fourth member of the team is Joe. Joe does not work at Sinclair's, but he hides out in the stables. Joe used to work for a mysterious crime-lord called The Baron. But Joe wearied of committing crimes to enrich the Baron, and now he is hiding out from the Baron's henchmen.

Mr. Sinclair has prepared an exhibit of amazing treasures to be displayed on opening day of his grand new store. One of the items to be shown is a jeweled music box called The Clockwork Sparrow. Each time the Clockwork Sparrow is wound up, it plays a different song. It is the most amazing item in Sinclair's ostentatious display. On the night before Sinclair's opening, a thief breaks into the store and absconds with the Clockwork Sparrow. It falls up Sophie and her three companions (Billy, Lily and Joe) to gather clues and identify the thief.

Youngsters may find this book more appealing than I did. There are a few examples of secret codes which might be fun for children to read about and then utilize for generating their own encrypted messages. Sophie demonstrates her courage and wits throughout the book; greatly aided by her three friends. It often seems that Sophie's circumstances have left her doomed; but nevertheless, Sophie and her friends plough doggedly forward. This might be a good story for kids who imagine they will be a detective when they grow up.