Twelve-year-old Isaveth tries to take down the man who framed her father for murder in this lively follow-up to A Pocket Full of Murder , which Kirkus Reviews called “thoroughly entertaining.” The city of Tarreton is powered by magic, from simple tablets that light lamps to advanced Sagery that can murder a man from afar. Isaveth has a talent for spell-making, but as a girl from a poor neighborhood she never dreamed she could study at the most exclusive magical school in the city. So when she’s offered a chance to attend, she eagerly accepts. The school is wonderful, but old and new enemies confront Isaveth at every turn, and she begins to suspect her scholarship might be more a trap than a gift. Even her secret meetings with Esmond, her best friend and partner in crime-solving, prove risky—especially once he hatches a plan to sneak her into the biggest society event of the season. It’s their last chance to catch the corrupt politician who once framed her father for murder. How can Isaveth refuse? Gr 5–7—Struggles with class and religious differences and conflicts arising from abuse of power are smartly woven into this sequel to the fantastical mystery A Pocket Full of Murder. Isaveth is given a scholarship to the prestigious magical school Tarrenton College by Glo-Mor, the company that bought her spellpaper in the earlier book. Isaveth, a Moshite whose father was imprisoned, attempts to fit in among her aristocratic new peers. Though her father has since been released, she and friend Esmond, the son of the dying Sagelord, work to prove that Isaveth's father was framed. Isaveth is concerned about Esmond's brother Eryx becoming Sagelord; Eryx will prevent Moshites, who face continuous discrimination and pressure to convert, from receiving relief. Isaveth tries to blend in at her new school but is bullied, outed as a Moshite, and accused of thievery. Fortunately, she makes friends with Eulalie Fairpont and Mander Ghataj, who help her as she sneaks into a masked ball, confronts family troubles, and is kidnapped. The second installment has an excellent story line and solid character development. Anderson keeps her world-building detailed but never overwhelming, revealing the history of the Moshites and why they have a lower social standing than other groups. Broader issues of prejudice and social class give readers a chance to reflect on religious and socioeconomic discrimination. VERDICT An excellent series for readers who enjoy a mix of magic, murder, and social issues. Purchase where the first volume in the series and fantasy are popular.—Liz Anderson, DC Public Library “With its ornate, Regency-esque setting and intricate plot packed with mysterious twists and turns (plus a few serious themes), this sequel is part melodrama, part comedy, and all-around good fun.” ― Kirkus Reviews “An excellent series for readers who enjoy a mix of magic, murder, and social issues.” ― School Library Journal R. J. (Rebecca) Anderson is the author of several acclaimed books, including the teen thriller Ultraviolet , which was shortlisted for the Andre Norton Award, and the UK bestselling Knife series for middle grade readers. Her love for the Golden Age detective novels of Dorothy L. Sayers and Margery Allingham, along with a lifelong delight in fantasy and adventure stories, inspired her to write A Pocket Full of Murder and its companion A Little Taste of Poison . She lives with her husband and three children in Stratford, Ontario, Canada. Visit her at RJ-Anderson.com. A Little Taste of Poison Chapter One ISAVETH SAT STIFFLY in the leather chair, hands clenched on the brim of her hat and heart pounding in her throat. The reception room was hot and smelled of baccy; a clump of snow melted off her boot and plopped onto the diamond-patterned carpet. She longed to take off her coat, but the wool was too damp to lay it on her lap, and she could see nowhere else to put it. On the opposite wall, a brass plate trumpeted the name of the man Isaveth had come to see: J. J. WREGGET, PRESIDENT. Meanwhile his personal secretary, lean and elegant in a brown suit that nearly matched his skin, shuffled papers while speaking to the call box on his desk: “I’m sorry, Mister Wregget is in a meeting. . . . Pardon? . . . No, he’s booked until next Mendday.” Isaveth shifted uncomfortably. This sumptuous ultra-modern office, the inner sanctum of the Glow-Mor Light and Fire Company, was no place for a stonemason’s daughter from Cabbage Street. Especially one barely thirteen years old. What could the president of the biggest spell-factory in Tarreton want with her? True, she’d invented a magic-resistant paper that was perfect for wrapping spell-tablets, and once Mister Wregget had seen it he’d been eager to buy the recipe. But that was months ago, and Isaveth had nothing more to offer him. Even the five imperials he’d paid her—half a year’s wages for poor folk like herself—was spent now, gone to pay off old debts and buy her famil