I enjoyed this, but not as much as some of Wein's other books. I just didn't connect as much with the main character. I appreciate having a bisexual character, or whose sexuality is fluid, but I feel like at the time period this story takes place, a girl of her age might have been a bit more conflicted about wanting to kiss girls than she was. Granted, I'm not an expert in Scottish historical culture...maybe homosexuality was very accepted in 1930s Scotland, but it doesn't seem likely. I am happy for the character that she wasn't conflicted about her feelings or feel shame for having them, but it didn't strike me as realistic in a historical fiction novel.

I was more than a little wary when I saw that a prequel to my beloved Code Name Verity--ONE OF MY TOP FIVE ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOKS--was being released, but this story--involving a teenage Julia at her recently deceased grandfather's estate in Scotland dealing with some missing pearls and a missing scholar--is a different kind of story altogether. But Julia is still Julia, and spending time with her--and her friends, including a librarian with a genetic disorder and a shotgun, and two Traveller teens--is a delight (even if she didn't solve the mystery as quickly as I did). Plus, I am now positive that Julia is canonically bisexual, for those who are interested in that little factoid! This is another great story about friendship and family and overcoming the odds and archaeology and everything great in the world (aside from two scenes featuring unwanted sexual advances, anyway). Elizabeth Wein, thank you for giving me a little bit more Julia. A/A-.

Completely different from Code Name Verity, but it still employs the same elements in many ways. By no means a show stopper, but it tells a realistic story of a teenage girl coming into her own. I can absolutely see how Julie the 15-year-old grows up to become a spy. Here she's just a greener version of that person - courageous, privileged, a little thoughtless, in love with being in love, and totally mercenary. In fact the mercenary side of her was nearly as enjoyable as the stuff that reminded me of the courage she displays in
Code Name Verity.

This was basically a cozy mystery, but it touched a lot on prejudice and also the nuances of sexuality. The two latter topics gave a fairly straightforward story added depth. This was primarily about loss, and ended not a little wistfully. Not what I expected, but it was better for it.

The Pearl Thief is one of the best books that I have read all year. The setting, pre-World War II is one of my favorites. The character of Julie, who readers have previously met in Code Name Verity, is as vivacious and clever as ever. It was so delightful to read of her adventures before her work as a spy. The murder and mystery add just the right amount of intrigue and suspense. I highly recommend this book for lovers of historical fiction and for those who enjoy brilliant and detailed writing with fun and enjoyable characters and plot twists.

Another literary masterpiece from Wein. Readers who have not yet read Code Name Verity will hopefully be intrigued enough to pick up that title next. Julie is a flawed but captivating character, and her friendships with Travellers surprise her, having grown up in privilege. During the course of the novel, she will discover how different her life experiences have been compared to others, and her worldview will shift. It's part coming-of-age, part history, and part mystery, with a little romance. Wein adds background notes and sources for further reading.

Thank you Netgalley and Disney for the ARC. This book is a prequel to Codename Verity and takes place the summer before at the estate of her Grandfather where a murder occurs. I enjoyed the story and the tone.