Eleanor UpdaleBesprekingen

I like the history that in this book. Nothing else really to say, beside this being a good story and giving a clear picture of what London was like in the 1800s.

Montmorency is a thief who uses his skills to create a new identity and penetrate London's 19th century elite. The reader follows his transition as he figures out the subtle ways of the upper classes, his risky trips through the new London sewers, and the constant fear that someone would discover his true identity.

This book is such an interesting mixture of action and description, yet with very little character development. Montmorency has few, if any, defining characteristics. He has apparently committed terrible crimes, yet appears to have a heart of gold. I will be interested to see if his low-class identity resurfaces in the following books in the series; I suspect he might be rather boring without Scarper. The description of the sewers is perfectly understated, and the danger that he faces is suspenseful without being over-the-top.

I would give this to a 5th grade or older reader who can appreciate the historical details, be patient with methodical plotting, and who enjoys humor and intrigue.

A young street thief is being chased by the police. In trying to escape them, he falls through a glass roof and comes close to death. Sentenced to prison he is found by an up-and-coming young surgeon, who gets permission to sew the thief back together and then use him as a human example of what can be done to repair the human body.

While travelling with the doctor to various medical seminars, prisoner 493 observes and learns how the other class lives. He also learns much about his body and what has been done. He also learns about the new underground sewers in London and how they connect up to all the areas to remove the waste. To him they can be utilized as a transportation corridor...to various parts to aide in his thievery and help him to a better life.

After he is released, he takes on two new identities: Scarper, a rough, corrupt and filthy bloke; and Montmorency, a wealthy and sophisticated gentleman. Each person has their own life but are linked in that Scarper is Montmorency's servant.

Scarper's use of the sewers allows him to steal from the rich of the city; this gives Montmorency the funds to take rooms at the Hotel Marimion and become part of the high society of London. The key thing is keeping the two identities separate and his past a secret.

I enjoyed both characters and the story. I found that there were sections that made me hold my breath and hope that the character succeeded. I read it at a slower pace so I could enjoy the book and think over the actions of the characters.

This sucked me in just as fast as it did when I was a kid! The tension throughout the book is really great, and it's a nice easy heist read (maybe good for kids who like heists but are not ready yet for Six of Crows.) The ending does feel pretty rushed, but given that there is now an entire series (!!!) that did not exist when I first read this 10+ years ago, that rushed ending may not be as big a deal. I am definitely interested in what goes on in the other books in the series!

Some of these people only have a minute left to live.
The Last Minute takes place in Heathwick town centre, before an explosion rips the place apart, killing 65. Each second is a gradual build-up, adding to the tension of the final event. What will be the cause of the devastation and who will be its victims?

Needless to say, with a death-toll of 65, this really is a cast of thousands and you'd need to read the book in pretty much one sitting to keep a track of who everyone is. This also made it impossible to go into any depth with the characterisations, although Ms Updale did manage to produce several characters about whom I was more concerned than others, and then there were also the two magnificent carriage-horses.

At the end of the book is the newspaper reportage of the explosion, which was impossible to read on the Kindle, but there is an on-line site where it is possible to see this: http://www.eleanorupdale.com/minute/ This also completes the book by discussing the possible cause of the explosion(s).

For me, this was a clever idea that, unfortunately, didn't quite work, by the time I'd read sixty sets of one second events, I'd lost interest and certainly wasn't getting tense at the inevitable outcome.

I loved the first book in this series [b:Thief, Liar, Gentleman?|638603|Thief, Liar, Gentleman? (Montmorency, #1)|Eleanor Updale|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1176592544s/638603.jpg|1526789]. Yes, the story stretches the limits of believability. An urchin with no education is readily accepted as a member of the upper classes in Victorian London. His transformation from callous thief to refined gentleman occurs overnight upon his attending his first opera. Yet, I decided to accept these improbable twists and go along with the story.

But the second book [b:Montmorency On The Rocks: Doctor, Aristocrat, Murderer?|638674|Montmorency On The Rocks Doctor, Aristocrat, Murderer? (Montmorency, #2)|Eleanor Updale|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1176593297s/638674.jpg|1749148] took a turn for the worst. Instead of developing their personality, here the characters became even shallower. The plot is random, the reasons behind the characters' actions non-existent or contradictory with their previous behaviors.

The female characters even less developed that their male counterparts and that is to say something. There is no hint of any kind of sexuality on any of them, male or female, even though one of the females is a prostitute. And by the way, this is a YA novel, am I the only one to have a problem with that?

Apparently so. For the protagonists, even the aristocratic lord, accept her easily enough. And then, there is the bomb, at the end of the second book, that the said prostitute is pregnant. As I said, there is no hint of any relationship before, so the reader is left wondering who is the father of the baby.

The reader is not the only one wondering, for during this, the third book, the three male protagonists wonder too whether they are the father of the now 13 year old boy. Which means the mother was the lover of the three men. At least once. Yet, the four of them get along swimmingly. Really?

Then, there is Maggie, the doormat nurse, who does everything for her love interest, without asking anything in return. Her selfishness is irritating. Is this what we want our daughters to become?

Plus the story in this third installment makes even less sense than the previous ones. And the characters, aristocrats, anarchists, working classes and the new American industrialists are all clichés and poorly developed. And don't get me started with the contrivance of the reappearance in America of a secondary character from the first book.

Overall terribly disappointing.

I hadn't had so much fun reading a book in a long time.

Brought me back to the stories of my childhood, like Dumas' The count of Montecristo, Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, Oscar Wilde's Dorian Gray.

Compulsive reading.

Don't miss.

Engaging story with plenty of historic atmosphere. As a prisoner and doctor's showcase patient, Montmorency has been in the attendance of various academic lectures. One in particular captures his interest: that of the sewer system in London. He realizes he could use the sewer system as a getaway option when robbing valuables. When he is released from prison he embarks on his plan. By selling the items he steals, Montmorency is able to buy into an upper-class lifestyle. He adopts two personas to carry it off: that of Scarper who does the stealing and is the personal "assistant" to Montmorency, the high-end gentleman living at the Marimion Hotel. He is engaged by a fellow gentleman to spy on an embassy dinner and get any details about an uprising in Maramnania. When Montmorency successfully pulls it off, he is offered a job with the foreign office. At that point, now a legitimate member of society, Montmorency drops his Scarper persona and returns several items he'd stolen but never sold.

Sequel to "Montmorency: Thief Liar Gentleman?" Montmorency and his gentleman friends, Lord George Fox-Selwyn and Doctor Farcett, find themselves caught up in two mysteries: Who is responsible for the bombings at King's Cross train station and Waterloo? And what is causing the babies of Tarimond to die? The Tarimond mystery is much more involved and compelling while the bombing mystery seems wrapped up too neatly, the solution convenient. Still, the novel sets a great time and place, conveying the luxury of a gentleman's life, the isolation of Tarimond, and the atmospherics of mid-19th century Europe. Some rather adult topics as well: Montmorency's graphic drug withdrawal symptoms, sly but fairly innocuous references to prostitutes, and Vi's surprise pregnancy at the end of the book...by whom??? No young characters featured but enjoyable for dedicated young readers nonetheless!

Wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did. Montmorency is definitely an interesting guy. I liked reading about his struggle with going straight. Very glad that Scarper was ditched at the end of the book as I felt it was running the risk of hitting split personality territory.

I'm not 100% sure what makes this a children's book. They never allude to Montmorency's age although it's clear he's considered an adult by the time period standards and all the flirtations make me think this might be more of a tween work maybe? Planning on reading the rest of the series eventually.

Wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did. Montmorency is definitely an interesting guy. I liked reading about his struggle with going straight. Very glad that Scarper was ditched at the end of the book as I felt it was running the risk of hitting split personality territory.

I'm not 100% sure what makes this a children's book. They never allude to Montmorency's age although it's clear he's considered an adult by the time period standards and all the flirtations make me think this might be more of a tween work maybe? Planning on reading the rest of the series eventually.

Wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did. Montmorency is definitely an interesting guy. I liked reading about his struggle with going straight. Very glad that Scarper was ditched at the end of the book as I felt it was running the risk of hitting split personality territory.

I'm not 100% sure what makes this a children's book. They never allude to Montmorency's age although it's clear he's considered an adult by the time period standards and all the flirtations make me think this might be more of a tween work maybe? Planning on reading the rest of the series eventually.

Wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did. Montmorency is definitely an interesting guy. I liked reading about his struggle with going straight. Very glad that Scarper was ditched at the end of the book as I felt it was running the risk of hitting split personality territory.

I'm not 100% sure what makes this a children's book. They never allude to Montmorency's age although it's clear he's considered an adult by the time period standards and all the flirtations make me think this might be more of a tween work maybe? Planning on reading the rest of the series eventually.

For a debut novel, and a YA novel as well, I found this story to be entertaining, and not just because Stephen Fry is the reader for the audiobook I listened to. Updale has captured the key elements of Victorian London, with an interesting glimpse into the lives of both the elite and the poorer, working class. Updale uses to advantage this great divide between rich and poor to get away with his alternating persona - one really never expects to see a gentleman and his servant together except in the sanctity of one's private rooms. I did start to wonder when Updale added espionage to the mix - thieving coupled with gentlemanly pursuits seemed good enough to me - but she does manage to make it work without ruining a perfectly good story. Some of the details get glossed over or missed and the characters are a bit two dimensional but overall, an enjoyable read for readers like me who like a bit of intrigue in a Victorian England setting. Listening to Fry read the story was amusing, especially when he would adopt his 'Jeeves' voice, with that note of disdain.

Overall, a good piece of brain candy that isn't overly taxing.½

Johnny tries to think of a way to make money when the landlord raises the rent but he causes problems with his scheme. When the local doctor and his wife leave town, Johnny's mom is out of a job. When the doctor is found murdered Johnny's mom becomes the only suspect because of what others perceive of odd behavior. Now it is up to Johnny and Mr. Hutchinson to clear his mother.

I enjoyed this book. Johnny tries his best to help out but it does not work out as he planned. When his mother is accused of murder, no one will listen to him or believe in her innocence. Johnny has to deal with a lot of garbage. I like that it is set in the late 1920's. The period comes through very well. A lot was happening in the world that affected Johnny and his mother. I learned more about this period.

I figured out why the murder was committed but not who until it was explained at the end. The mystery kept my interest. The secondary characters were interesting. Some I disliked. Others I liked. I will be reading more of this author.

He was born in prison and grew up to become a petty thief. In 1875, when he was eventually caught, injured by a fall when on the run, he was sewn back together by a doctor eager to try out his skills and to display them. At seminars where the healed scars were exhibited, the prisoner is able to sit in on lectures about London's new sewer system. Prisoner 493 puts the information to use and plans his future while awaiting release. He used the sewer system - more malodorous than he expected - to gain access to the doctor's house where, among other items, he pinched the necessary clothing to dress like a gentleman. He wrote a letter to a smart hotel announcing that they should provide him with a suite for long term occupation. He was now set to live a double life as Montmorency the master and Scarper the servant. The servant steals from the wealthy and the gentleman is able to sell the pickings to jewelers who assume it is to pay for a gambling debt.

This was a very entertaining tale, and yes, the plot was full of holes, but it worked. The historical aspect of 19th century surgery as well as London's underworld was interesting. I enjoyed it very much. I'm not sure why it has been classified YA, I found it quite acceptable reading.

When I found the book wasn't on the shelf at the library, I borrowed an audiobook read by Stephen Fry which was hilarious in parts. I'm not quite sold on audiobooks, and in the end was able to read the book as well, which served as a comparison. I prefer reading.

I checked this out because Stephen Fry was the reader. I enjoyed it, but I'm unclear on classification as a young adult book. What message does this send? This is the story of a thief who gets out of jail and continues thieving until he is rich enough to quit. In the process his crimes are attributed to others and he does nothing to correct the problem even when one of his mentors and friends is hanged. I also had problems with the fact that he climbed out of the sewer to go into wealthy homes to steal and seemed to leave no tracks or smell in his wake. The reader saved it. I'm not sure I would have finished a print book of this title.

The story begins with Montmorency in jail for a burglary that went wrong. He spends his jail time thinking up new money-making schemes, and eventually plans an elaborate double life for himself. As soon as he is released from prison he puts his new plan into action. He uses the sewers of London to make his way to and from burglaries at expensive properties. With the money he raises from the burglaries he funds his second identity as a gentleman who enjoys the finer things in life.

I really loved this story, mainly because I love reading about Victorian London. The author has done a great job of bringing Victorian London to life in this book. I really felt like I was right there in the middle of everything.

Montmorency was a bit of an unusual character, because of his double identity. I wasn't sure whether to love him, hate him, or both!

Really enjoyed this book and I hope to read the rest of the series too.

The title character, Johnny, hates being short, so when he sees an advert in the newspaper that promises the secret to tallness he steals some money off his mum to send away for the secret. Unfortunately this is a con, but it gives Johnny an idea for his own money-making scheme to help pay back the money he stole and to help his mum pay the rent. He places his own adverts in the paper to trick people into sending him money. Some of his adverts were really clever and funny, and even though he was technically breaking the law I really wanted his plans to work.

Later on the focus of the book shifts as a murder is committed and Johnny's mum is the prime suspect. Johnny knows he must clear his mum's name, even if it means risking getting into trouble himself.

The book is set in 1929 and a lot of the story is centred around Tuberculosis and the treatment of the disease. This historical aspect made for interesting reading and I certainly learned some facts about TB that I didn't know before. But the book is so much more than just a historical story, it's a fun mystery story with a fantastic character who I couldn't help but love.

It was really sad when people died in there, like Maggie and George. But overall, this book was really enjoyable.

When we meet Montmorency (not his real name), he's in a London prison for thieving: caught during his getaway when he crashed through a glass roof. Dr. Robert Farcett used Montmorency as an experiment - to see if he could be saved, and to see how much the human body could recover from. When Montmorency is freed from prison, he is set on living the high life, and he has a plan. He decides that he cannot trust anyone to be his accomplice, but will play both necessary roles himself: as "Scarper," he will use London's new sewer system to make quick escapes from the shops and homes he robs, and as "Montmorency" he will reap the benefits of this plunder.

Montmorency/Scarper displays much cunning and cleverness, but little empathy or even sympathy for others. When London police catch "Freakshow Frank," his cellmate (who was released soon after he was), they blame all of Scarper's thefts on him (the "Hopping Horror" - Frank has only one leg), and Frank goes to the gallows. Montmorency's conscience pricks slightly, but the instinct to save his own skin is much stronger than the urge to save Frank. However, as the novel progresses, Montmorency does develop more of a conscience, and even experiences different emotions depending on whether he is Scarper or Montmorency at the time (adopting different clothing, mannerisms, and even addresses for each).

Montmorency makes a friend - Lord George Fox-Selwyn - and becomes drawn into a matter of national intrigue, using the sewer system to sneak into the "Mauramanian" embassy. He succeeds, and feels a measure of personal and national pride. At the end of the book, he "found himself acting in unusual ways" - that is, displaying generosity (e.g. to Scarper's old landlord) and making restitution (e.g. returning Dr. Farcett's bag, giving Scarper's old clothes to a tramp from whom he had stolen clothes in the past, returning a valuable book to a man he respects). Thus, the story is concluded and Montmorency is "set for a career of travel and espionage in the service of his country."

Overall I quite enjoyed this book. Without focusing on a well-known historical figure, it evokes the lives of lower- and upper-class Londoners circa 1875 in vivid detail. It differs from many YA novels in that the main character is not himself a young adult, but he does grow and change. The ending is neat, while still leaving open the possibility of more books featuring this character.

The class really enjoy the suspense and mystery of this story.

The first book was excellent; the follow ups interesting, but not as good as the first one. I think the problem is that we have gotten to know Montmorency a bit too well. When he was more conflicted in terms of whether he wanted to be Scarper or Montmorency, he was interesting. Now he seems less so, though I am enjoying getting to know George Fox-Selwyn's family. The book does have a number of shocking revelations for those who have followed the series. I was thoroughly surprised by them (I keep thinking that a YA novel would be "softer" in its treatment of crime, sex, death, etc.--more fool me). Anyway, my naivete regarding the YA novel in general has allowed me to be surprised by this series, and I have enjoyed every minute of it.

Montmorency started life as a thief, but is injured during one of his capers. His life is saved by one Dr. Farcett, who uses Montmorency as a kind of walking advertisement for his skill as a surgeon and physician. Because of his contact with the upper crust of society, Montmorency develops a longing for a different kind of life, and he uses the knowledge he gains from contact with Dr. Farcett's world to create that life for himself. But can a man really escape his past? How long will Montmorency be able to fool others that he is what he appears to be? The book is full of surprises, and one doesn't know whether to cheer Montmorency or condemn him. And that's part of its delicious appeal.

Is a criminal mastermind on the loose? Montmorency and his friends are determined to hunt down the terrorists who wrecked their lives. As Queen Victoria is dying. Montmorency and his friends are already in mourning after terrorists killed their dear friend Lord George Fox Selwyn. Montmorency and relatives of teh deceased are determined to track down the killers, It's a personal obsession. Their search takes them to Italy, Paris and finally back to America, where Montmorency becomes embroiled in an attempt to prevent the assassination of none other than the President of the United States. Unfortuantely i became a little bored with the comings and goings so decided to skip through the book halfway through.