Clem Fatale Has Been Betrayed (Clem Fatale, 1)
London, 1951. Twelve-year-old Clem Fatale is proud to be the youngest member of her father’s notorious band of thieves, The Spider Gang. She is deft at picking locks and accessing tight spaces. The quest to find her missing father begins when Jimmy Fatale disappears when their attempt to steal the ‘Fool’s Canary’ diamond from Lord Weatherdale’s home fails, leaving Clem bereft and unwittingly with a kidnapped Gilbert, the lord’s naive son. The unlikely pair are thrown together in her quest and balance each other perfectly. Gilbert is equally quick of wit but lacks knowledge of the outside world in general and so is fascinated by Clem as she moves around its dark underbelly.
It is unusual to have a thief as a heroine, but her father is a mysterious figure, and his actions likewise. Clem’s socialite mother throws her upbringing into a unique light. She is familiar with Gilbert’s world yet is happiest following in the footsteps of her father. Humour, pace and plot gallop across the pages, with the use of witty names, catchy banter and a growing friendship and respect between Gilbert and Clem.
Winnie and Konrad are characters that introduce aspects of social history in postwar London and, sadly, prejudice. This makes the book an excellent source of discussion for the classroom situation, especially as Nazi Germany had just been defeated and London had suffered terribly through the bombing in the Blitz, highlighting the resilience of those who lived through it. Her father makes a strong comment on the changes within Britain after the war.
The delightful illustrations by Honie Beam from cover to the full-page drawing within add to the book’s enjoyment. This a fast-paced adventure, suitable for 9 – 12-year-olds.
