The hidden gallery by Maryrose Wood

The hidden gallery is the second book in the Incorrigible children of Ashton Place series and continues on from where The mysterious howling left off.  For those of you who have never heard of this series, the Incorrigble children are three siblings who were found running wild in the woods by Lord Ashton.  Penelope Lumley becomes their governess in the first book after she graduates from the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females.

In this enjoyable sequel Penelope and her charges find themselves in London, after Lady Constance Ashton decides to relocate to London rather than allow Penelope to travel to London by herself.  From the start the trip seems shrouded in the risk of disaster, and in a short space of time Penelope finds herself surrounded by some mysterious characters, and some that seem like they are up to no good.  While the household rocks and rolls with the whims and whines of Lady Constance, Penelope finds herself caught in a tangled web of mystery and uncertainties.

This is the second book in the series and continues strongly from the previous book.  Penelope is a charming and resourceful young woman, and the Incorrigibles seem to attract attention of all sorts (not always the right kind).  At first this series seemed like it was a bit of a ripoff of the Series of unfortunate events, but the Incorrigible children is at this point a better series and I look forward to seeing how this series develops as there are some ideas tickling at the back of my mind about where this series is heading, but we will see what happens.

If you enjoy this book then try:

• The bad beginning by Lemony Snicket
• The children of Green Knowe by L.M.Boston
• Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo

Reviewed by Brilla