The Shadow in the North

The Shadow in the North is set a few years after the events of Ruby in the Smoke, the filmed adaptation of the first of novelist Philip Pullman's (The Golden Compass) YA stories about spunky Victorian female detective Sally Lockhart. Star Billie Piper (Doctor Who) returns as Sally, who is now daring enough to set herself up as a consultant in the City, London's financial center. Of course, if her fiscal advice business happens to lead her into mysteries that must be solved, so be it. What do a nasty shipping magnate, a stage magician, a drawing-room medium, and other colorful characters of the era have to do with a shady corporate bankruptcy and rumors of a terrifying new weapon? Offering just the slightest hint of the modern Victorian subgenre known as steampunk, The Shadow in the North is a wickedly sneaky mystery wrapped in romantic intrigue (Sally's old friend and detecting partner Fred Garland, played by JJ Feild, is more sweet on her than ever) and danger, as Sally's social boldness also leaves her open to threats of blackmail from those shocked at the idea of a woman working in the City. A BBC production that aired on PBS' Masterpiece Mystery! in the U.S., this is recommended. (M. Johanson)