Starred Review ALA Booklist (Tue Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

Starred Review Best friends Marzana and Nialla are desperate for an adventure, and given where they live e Liberty of Gammerbund, a district of Nagspeake populated by former smugglers, thieves, and con artists that's notorious for its culture of secrecy 's especially surprising that they haven't stumbled across one ever. That is, until a detective, desperate for any lead, brings a puzzling kidnapping case to Marzana's mother (who has a notorious past of her own), and Marzana sees her chance to do some real investigating, particularly when she recruits the perfect team to help uncover clues. Milford returns to the world of Greenglass House (2014) yet again in her latest mystery, a truly twisty brain-teaser filled with puzzles, misdirection, and adventure, all with just the right balance of emotional weight that is pitch-perfect for a middle-grade audience. The author's painterly descriptions of objects and places offer fascinating glimpses into her richly imagined, well-wrought world building, and she manages to give distinctive, multifaceted personalities to all of her characters. Though the mystery is ultimately resolved, Milford leaves enough threads tantalizingly loose, not only as (one hopes) a promise for further adventures, but also as a window into the vast world beyond the story. Milford's Nagspeake stories are always a treat, but this one, with its tight, clever plotting; heartening emotional growth, and dynamic setting, shines extra brightly. While knowledge of the earlier titles would be helpful, it's not essential to enjoying this one.

Horn Book

In the Liberty, a part of Nagspeake (Greenglass House, rev. 9/14, and sequels) where retired rogues and smugglers find sanctuary from the long arm of the law, Marzana takes it upon herself to solve a mystery after her mother is asked to find a kidnapping victim. Hoping to help rescue the missing girl, and despite her extreme social anxiety, Marzana assembles a team (or "knot") of her own: her best friend and codebreaker Nialla; a magician named J. J.; Ciro, a "camofleur," or expert in hiding things in plain sight; and Meddy, the ghost from Greenglass House who arrives via parcel post. The team makes progress following up on several clues, but kidnapping isn't a game, and Marzana's parents are furious when they discover the knot members putting themselves in danger. This entry shows all of Milford's strengths: theme-expanding stories within stories, a thrilling genre fusion, swashbuckling technical mastery (here, lock-picking, cryptography, and sleight-of-hand magic), a vocabulary to delight the word-nerds, and an invented world real enough to live in. Delivering layers upon layers, convincing characters who succeed despite their emotional challenges, and a brain-tingling mystery that unfolds at just the right speed, this ghostly fantasy-adventure is a humdinger of a good read.

School Library Journal Starred Review (Sun Dec 01 00:00:00 CST 2019)

Gr 5-7 The Republic of Gammerbund is a sanctuary for even the most legendary thieves and smugglers to hide and lead (mostly) normal lives. When a kidnapping threatens Gammerbund, 12-year-old Marzana's parents are recruited to help, and the lure of adventure is too much for the shy aspiring spy. She puts together a team of peers to investigate, each member bringing a talent more unusual than the last. But the case may be even stranger than anyone suspects. This novel takes readers back into the world Milford created in Greenglass House , adding richly detailed layers to a well-developed setting. While kids need not have read the other installments, those familiar with the series will appreciate the references to previous books. This is a perfectly plotted and well-told mystery, and the fascinating settings and characters make it unique. Children will find the plot's twists thrilling and immersive, thanks to Milford's world-building talent. VERDICT Readers will delight in this old-fashioned mystery, made fresh with intriguing places and people. Kristin Brynsvold, Tuckahoe Elementary School, Arlington, VA