It doesn’t seem to be a matter for Scotland Yard when Lord Somerville’s dog dies, even though the local police suspect the animal was poisoned. It’s not until the guard, an old friend of Wyatt’s father, is murdered that Inspector Wyatt is assigned to the Somerville case. Wyatt reluctantly accepts help from Andrew and Sara as their investigation takes them from a London slum to a country estate, encountering many mysterious and sinister characters along the way.

I really enjoyed this series as a kid, and even now The Case of the Somerville Secret is a fast-paced, entertaining, and atmospheric kids’ book. The mystery is well-plotted with quite several unexpected twists and turns. ( )