Product Description The year is 1878, and Sally Lockhart has started her own financial consulting business. When a client loses a fortune in the unexpected collapse of a British shipping firm, Sally is determined to find out why. But as she comes closer to learning the identity of the firm's elusive owner, she discovers that her questions are far from simple --and that the answers could cost her her life."Fraud, fire, and bloody murder pursue Sally Lockhart in a fine sequel to The Ruby in the Smoke. Sally, now 22, is in business as a financial consultant. When she and her friends challenge corrupt financial interests, they find themselves in a web of intrigue that stretches from fetid slums of the poor to the corporate offices of the richest man in Europe. Sally's detective work reveals the connections between corrupt power and broken lives. The action is fast, scenes are tight and dramatic, the language is vivid, and the wealth of minor characters are sharply individualized. An immensely entertaining thriller."--(starred) Booklist. Reading level: 6.7.  From the Paperback edition. Review "The action is fast, individual scenes are tight and dramatic, the language is vivid and rhythmic, and the wealth of minor characters are sharply individualized....An immensely entertaining thriller."--Booklist (starred review)From the Paperback edition. From the Inside Flap The year is 1878, and Sally Lockhart has started her own financial consulting business. When a client loses a fortune in the unexpected collapse of a British shipping firm, Sally is determined to find out why. But as she comes closer to learning the identity of the firm's elusive owner, she discovers that her questions are far from simple --and that the answers could cost her her life."Fraud, fire, and bloody murder pursue Sally Lockhart in a fine sequel to The Ruby in the Smoke. Sally, now 22, is in business as a financial consultant. When she and her friends challenge corrupt financial interests, they find themselves in a web of intrigue that stretches from fetid slums of the poor to the corporate offices of the richest man in Europe. Sally's detective work reveals the connections between corrupt power and broken lives. The action is fast, scenes are tight and dramatic, the language is vivid, and the wealth of minor characters are sharply individualized. An immensely entertaining thriller."--(starred) Booklist. Reading level: 6.7.  From the Paperback edition. About the Author Philip Pullman was born in Norwich, England and was brought up in Rhodesia, Australia, London and Wales.  Philip graduated from Oxford University in 1973 with a degree in English, and has taught middle school at Westminter College.  He is the author of many highly-acclaimed books for young readers, from contemporary fiction to Victorian thrillers, and has written plays and picture books for readers of all ages.  Philip's current book, The Golden Compass , has been hailed as "a rich combination of high fantasy, high drama, and intense emotion" by author Lloyd Alexander, and "extraordinary storytelling at it's very best" by the Detroit Free-Press .Philip currently lives in Oxford with his wife, Judith, and children.  From the Paperback edition. From AudioFile Sally Lockhart is a financial consultant in London in 1878--a highly unconventional single girl in Victorian times. When a client loses her life savings because a shipping company collapses, Sally investigates. This is a quirky mystery involving a Scottish magician who has "sensed" a murder, a frightening new gun developed by a power-hungry Swede, and a sweet romance with Fred, a photographer/detective. Anton Lesser's sense of character is peerless. He creates a slightly softer voice for Sally, a wonderful Scottish accent for the magician, and a range of class accents for the various members of Fred and Sally's circle. Lesser delivers a spellbinding performance that intensifies the suspense and makes t