For young readers grappling with questions of identity and hidden family secrets, this atmospheric tale explores what happens when your past is not what you believed.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is grappling with their place in the family or questioning where they truly belong. "Devil in the Fog" is a gripping historical mystery set in 18th-century London about George, a boy raised in a traveling family of actors who has always felt like an outsider. On his fourteenth birthday, a sinister stranger arrives claiming to be his true father, pulling George into a dangerous web of secrets, inheritance, and mortal peril. For mature middle-grade readers (10-14), this atmospheric novel explores complex themes of identity, loyalty, and the blurry line between good and evil. It's a wonderful choice for a child who loves a suspenseful plot and is ready for a story with deep emotional questions and a rich, literary style.
The villain's motivations are complex and somewhat sympathetic, blurring lines of good and evil.
Sensitive Topics
The core theme is a crisis of identity, explored directly through George's confusion and the central mystery of his parentage. The approach is secular. The book contains threats of violence, attempted murder (poisoning), and a sword fight, but these events are not graphically described. The resolution is hopeful, affirming the idea of a 'found family' over blood ties, but it acknowledges the world's moral complexity and the lasting scars of the ordeal.
Ideal Reader
A thoughtful 11 to 14-year-old who enjoys historical fiction, intricate mysteries, and atmospheric writing. This reader is ready for moral ambiguity and a story that doesn't provide easy answers. They might be introspective, perhaps questioning their own place in their family or social circles, and will appreciate a protagonist who thinks and feels deeply.
Parent Prep
No specific pages require previewing, but parents should be aware that the book's language is sophisticated and evocative of the 18th century, which may be a challenge for some readers. The tone is consistently suspenseful and menacing. A parent could provide context about 18th-century England or the concept of family inheritance to aid comprehension, but the story can be read cold. A parent has noticed their child expressing feelings of being different from the rest of the family, or has heard them say something like, "Sometimes I feel like I don't belong here." The child might be developing a new interest in family history or stories about secret identities.
Age Experience
A younger reader (10-11) will primarily engage with the adventure and mystery plot: the secrets, the danger, and the satisfying reveal. An older reader (12-14) will connect more profoundly with George's internal struggle over his identity. They will better appreciate the nuanced characterizations, the moral grayness of the antagonist, and the literary quality of Garfield's Dickensian prose.
What Makes It Special
Leon Garfield's masterful, atmospheric prose sets this book apart. The writing is rich, dense, and literary, creating an immersive and palpable 18th-century London. Unlike many children's mysteries that present a clear good-versus-evil narrative, this book delves into complex motivations and moral ambiguity, treating its young audience with remarkable intelligence.
Read plot summary
Fourteen-year-old George Treet, son of a traveling actor, feels disconnected from his lively family. On his birthday, his life is upended by the arrival of a wealthy, sinister gentleman who claims to be George's real father. Whisked away to a life of supposed luxury, George finds himself a pawn in a bitter and violent family feud over an inheritance. He must navigate the foggy streets of London and the even foggier truths of his own identity to uncover the plot against him and decide where he truly belongs.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
At the start of the book, George feels like an outsider in his family of actors. Why do you think he feels this way, and how do his feelings about family change by the end?
2
The character of the 'real' Mr. Treet is very complicated. Did you ever feel sorry for him? Do you think his actions were justified, or was he simply evil?
3
The fog in London is described in great detail. How does the author use the fog to reflect George's own confusion and the mystery he is trying to solve?
4
George has to choose between his biological family and the family that raised him. What does this story say about what truly makes a family?
5
The Treet family uses their acting skills to help George in the final confrontation. Can you think of other moments where their theatre background was a disadvantage or an advantage?
