Splendors and Glooms

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

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