The Secret Starling

Set in the 1970s, the story has its lighter moments, but it becomes more intense when events take a sinister turn. The lively cast of characters includes imaginative village children, a villainous exballerina, and a prince of Russian danseur. And while the ending may surprise some readers, it’s sure to delight them as well. Eight full-page illustrations add to this mystery’s considerable appeal.
—Booklist

Ballet intrigue and a neglected manor in the wild Yorkshire moors take center stage in a tale of who am I and whodunit. . . . Events unfold quickly, with Rudolf Nureyev’s defection from the Kirov Ballet a key plot element. Rioux’s atmospheric, full-page, black-and-white artwork lends a nostalgic feel to the work.
—Kirkus Reviews