I really enjoyed this easy-to-read historical fiction/mystery set in 1880's Stockholm. Mika is a twelve year old orphan, and on one chill winter night she hears a knock at the orphanage door. She opens to reveal a man with a small baby, a warning on his lips. He disappears quickly, and it is then that her adventure truly begins. Constable Valdemar Hoff pays her a visit after she and her ward register the baby, and starts to bring her along on his investigation of 'The Night Raven', a notorious murderer in the city.

Mika is sharp as a whip and hardened by her life. Her attention to detail is incredible and she helps Hoff on the case. The overall tone of the book is a bit melancholy but it's quite thrilling at the same time. Hoff and Mika have a very father-daughter type relationship in a lot of ways but it's true to the era even so. He trusts her intuition and listens when she speaks (something very few people in her life do.)

I was immediately drawn to this book because of the cover (it's so pretty), I'm becoming a fast fan of mysteries, and during the month of March I challenged myself to read more middle grades: so it checked all the boxes. I think for young readers it is an illustrious depiction of Stockholm in the 19th century and transports them immediately to the snowy streets and around the city with Mika and Hoff as they solve the murders.


The original Swedish publication was released in 2021, but the English translation releases in August of 2023. I think this would be a great addition to any library or middle school classroom.

*arc review for netgalley read