The Hidden Gallery

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place #2
By Maryrose Wood
240 pages

Book two of the Incorrigible Children takes the children and Penelope to London.  Planning an educational jaunt with the children with an opportunity to see her beloved former teacher thrown in (and some obligatory shopping with Lady Ashton), Penelope finds herself deeply in the mystery surrounding the children.  As she tries to unravel the intentions of Lord Ashton and his cronies, she also begins to realize that her own past is more of a mystery than she originally thought.  Throw in a medium with a frightening premonition, a handsome and helpful aspiring playwright, and some pirates and we have a truly worthy sequel.  Go get it, now!

The Mysterious Howling

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, #1
By Maryrose Wood
288 pages

Penelope is quite nervous.  She is leaving Swanburne's Academy for Poor Bright Females which has been her home for most of her life, and travelling to Ashton Place to hopefully become the family's governess.  She doesn't know much about the Ashtons, but she assumes that she will be caring for some charming children in a lovely home.  Not quite true.  The children are actually not the Ashtons' children at all, but rather three youngsters they found in the woods, quite naked and with no manners to speak of, apparently raised by wolves.  As Penelope gets to work teaching them English and proper hygiene (Latin and advanced arithmetic may have to wait a bit), she is of course curious as to the story of these three 'Incorrigible Children'.  But that is only the first mystery Penelope will be faced with in this unusual family...

These books are a total hoot!  The language, commentary, and occasional asides are quirky and hilarious.  The characters are memorable and I am completely intrigued with the story.  One of my favorites of the month!