‘The first in a projected trilogy, this book treats readers to a lively, engaging story with an endearing protagonist at its center . . . The well-paced story builds to an exciting climax 
as each bogle encounter raises the stakes and Birdie and 
Alfred face a decision that will change their lives.’
School Library Journal

‘Jinks is an assured storyteller: character, plot, and style develop with buoyant, pleasing momentum, and her rendition of working-class English dialect reads accessibly. While this 
is fantasy somewhat similar in flavor to Joan Aiken’s Dido 
Twite tales, factual elements of the period undergird and strengthen setting and story line.’
Horn Book

‘. . . a cracking, suspenseful story of things that go BUMP 
in the night.’
The School Magazine

‘This is classic Dickensian London with a fantasy twist.
Jinks creates her setting and characters with clarity and realism. A thoroughly entertaining first instalment in a fascinating new series.’
The Sun-Herald (Sydney)

‘The tale is set in a range of locales, most of them noxious and well-stocked with rousingly scary hobgoblins as well as a cast of colorful Londoners with Dickensian names like Sally Pickles and Ned Roach. It dashes along smartly to a suspenseful climactic kerfuffle as it endears its 10-year-old protagonist, whose temper is matched only by her courage in the clutch, to readers. Jinks opens her projected trilogy in high style, offering a period melodrama replete with colorful characters, narrow squeaks and explosions of ectoplasmic goo.’
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

‘When Catherine Jinks turns her hand to historical fiction, readers can be assured of an engaging virtual trip into the era of her characters. Her research is thorough, she captures the time and place with unerring detail and versimilitude … Readers of this eloquently atmospheric, suspense-charged first volume will certainly be waiting keenly for the next instalments in this exciting historical trilogy.’
Magpies

‘Although intended for younger teenagers and pre-teens, this book makes enjoyable reading for anyone who likes a good, solid story well told. Jinks’ style is so straightforward and down-to-earth, with such convincing attention to small historical details, that you don’t feel any need to suspend belief to indulge a fantasy writer: instead, you almost catch yourself thinking Maybe there really were bogles in the 1800s in England ….’
Viewpoint

‘This is a bleak, dangerous, murky world that I loved. It is dark, muddy and beautifully evoked with a cast of characters reminiscent of a Dickens’ novel!’
Deborah Abela, ABC Canberra