Tower of the Five Orders

Gr 4–6—A spirited follow-up to Secrets of Shakespeare's Grave (Houghton Mifflin, 2012). When Colophon Letterford found the family treasure, manuscripts written by Shakespeare himself, she thought she had foiled the machinations of the man who had been attempting to discredit her father and take over the family's publishing business. However, as she soon learns, Tremont still has a few tricks up his sleeve. With the Letterfords once again in danger of losing everything, Colophon sets out to follow a trail of clues, beginning with an inscription on the inkwell that she found with the manuscripts. This time, the clues lead her not to Shakespeare, but to his contemporary Christopher Marlowe. As she discovers clue after clue related to Marlowe's history, Tremont and his operatives are not far behind. Fortunately, Colophon's brother, Case, is following Tremont in order to protect his sister and uncover the villain's schemes. The action culminates in a journey through London's sewer system, where a hidden room waits that may hold treasures even more valuable than the one Colophon has already found. She and Case must do their best to keep their newest discoveries out of Tremont's clutches. Introducing young readers to Christopher Marlowe, a mysterious and shadowy historical figure in his own right, is a bold move on the part of the author, but it pays off. This book boasts intelligent writing and better pacing than its predecessor. It will appeal largely to mystery fans who enjoy delving into historical puzzles.—Misti Tidman, Licking County Library, Newark, OH