Everybody knew about the Sentinel. That he didn’t exist. That the masked man with the swords and the hat was nothing more than a ghost story made of shadow and mystery, legend and myth – a tale told to make children behave and villains beware. Nobody knew the truth.
April is one of five remarkable kids living at the Winterborne Home for orphans, a sprawling mansion filled with secrets. The biggest secret of all is that Gabriel Winterborne, their reclusive millionaire guardian, is actually The Sentinel, a masked swordsman vigilante tasked with protecting the city.
April is back after the events of Winterborne Home for Vengence and Valor, with her friends Sadie, Colin, Tim and Violet. In this second book, Gabriel is saddened by Izzy’s departure, and isn’t being the guardian he usually is. When Gabriel goes missing yet again, the kids discover that he has rivals lurking in the shadows ready to take his place, and Ms. Pitts, a social worker from Child Protective Services, on their back. Now April must decide how hard she’s willing to fight to hold on to her newfound family when everyone seems determined to fall apart.
New York Times’ bestselling author Ally Carter writes another captivating story in the Winterborne series, full of adventure, comradery, gadgets and humour. Winterborne Home for Mayhem and Mystery is a highly suspenseful story for middle-grade readers aged 8+ who love superheroes, spy novels, or a good mystery. Fans of the series will enjoy seeing familiar characters, learning more about the details of this thrilling world, and unpacking further information on April’s past.
I thought a sweet and authentic undertone to the book was how Gabriel’s sadness over Izzy sheds light on adults and guardians being upset, and sometimes needing their kids to be there for them too. There are unexpected twists, reveals, and intertwining plots that will keep readers on the edge of their seat, from beginning to end. If your young reader liked Gallagher Girls, also by Carter, or A Series of Unfortunate Events, they’ll enjoy this.
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