Review by Aliss Langridge
The Midnight Palace by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Published by Orion
Set in Calcutta, 1932, the story is narrated by Ian, one of seven teenage orphans and members of the Chowbar Society, a secret group which gathers at an abandoned mansion (the ‘midnight palace’).
The central tale is about twins Sheere and Ben, orphaned at birth, whose history is a mystery to be solved. Sheere lives with the twins’ grandmother Aryami, who places Ben in the orphanage so that they can be kept apart. Here, he helps to form the secret Chowbar Society.
Despite Aryami,’s wish to keep the twins separate, they meet as teenagers and learn from Aryami some of the secrets of their parents. Tension arises in the form of Jawahal, a deadly hooded killer who is after the twins – who, or what, is he? Why does he want to kill them?
This is a super book full of creepy moments, puzzles to solve and games to play as the Chowbar Society get closer to the truth before the story reaches its dark climax.
The Midnight Palace is filled with original ideas. It is challenging and dark too, but well worth it!