Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz (author) (US edition)

A dark tale of magic, fear, evil – and a master puppeteer whose spooky creations look strangely alive. Gaspare Grisini is famous for his incredibly realistic stringed puppets. Clara Wintermute, the child of a wealthy doctor, is utterly spellbound by Grisini’s act. So she invites him to perform at her birthday party. But when Clara – whose life is shadowed by grief, guilt and secrets – vanishes that very night, suspicion falls upon the puppeteer. Battling sorcery and evil, two orphan girls must solve this twisted crime…

• Stunning Gothic fantasy – winner of a Newbery Honor

• A dark and bewitching tale of crime, intrigue and magic

• “As mysterious and timeless as a fairy tale” – Booklist

• “Delightful and eerie” – Rebecca Stead