Cat Among the Pigeons

Cat Royal Adventures #2

by Julia Golding

MYSTERY, DISGUISES, AND A FIGHT FOR FREEDOM. The second episode in the CAT ROYAL ADVENTURE series plunges readers into the underbelly of London in a mission for justice. Pedro’s old slave master wants him back, but his friends on Drury Lane won’t give him up without a fight. Disguised as a boy, Cat enters an aristocratic boarding school and scales the heights of London society before joining a street gang to probe its depths, all to secure the freedom of her friend. Like THE DIAMOND OF DRURY LANE, CAT AMONG THE PIGEONS features mysteries, theatrical spectacles, the evil Billy “Boil” Shepherd, and, of course, the irrepressible Cat, who never fails to stir up trouble and save the day wherever she goes. Coming in Spring 2009, Cat travels to Paris during the French Revolution in DEN OF THIEVES.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Young Adult, Mystery, Adventure, Fiction, Childrens

368 pages, Hardcover

First published August 7, 2006

About the author

My journey to becoming an author has been a roundabout one, taking in many other careers. I grew up on the edge of Epping Forest and was that dreamy kind of child who was always writing stories. After reading English at Cambridge, I decided to find out as much as I could about the wider world so joined the Foreign Office and served in Poland. My work as a diplomat took me from the high point of town twinning in the Tatra Mountains to the low of inspecting the bottom of a Silesian coal mine.

On leaving Poland, I exchanged diplomacy for academia and took a doctorate in the literature of the English Romantic Period at Oxford. I then joined Oxfam as a lobbyist on conflict issues, campaigning at the UN and with governments to lessen the impact of conflict on civilians living in war zones - a cause about which I still feel very passionate.

Married with three children, I now live in Oxford between two rivers, surrounded by gargoyles, beautiful sandstone buildings and ancient trees.

My first novel, 'The Diamond of Drury Lane', won the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize 2006 and the Nestle Children's Book Prize 2006 (formerly known as the Smarties Prize). I was also chosen by Waterstone's in 2007 as one of their 'Twenty-five authors for the future'. In the US, 'Secret of the Sirens' won the honor book medal of the Green Earth Book Award.

My latest series, which starts with Mel Foster and the Demon Butler, about an intrepid Victorian orphan who lives in a household of monsters, won Bronze in the Primary Teacher awards in 2015. The next part, Mel Foster and the Time Machine, has set the time-dial to arrive in 2016.

Reviews

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ★

[Ali Book World · Rating 4 out of 5]

(لندن، ۱۷۹۰) حالا و بعد از پایان جلد دوم، کَت اینبار با چالش جدیدتر و البته پیچیده‌تری رو‌به‌رو شده. کَت برای کمک به دوستش (اسمش رو نمیگم که اسپویل نشه) مجبور شده خود را به عنوان پسر جا بزنه و با بدترین دشمنش رو در رو بشه....

جلد دوم هم تمام شد.
واقعا روون بود.
خوندن این مجموعه حس خیلی خوبی بهم میده😍 و واقعا ازش لذت میبرم.
یجورایی میتونم باهاش به طور خاصی ارتباط برقرار کنم.
خب، از نظر من جلد دوم در سطح جلد اول بود. تا اینجای کار که مجموعه‌ش مورد پسندم بوده. باید ببینم جلدهای بعدی چجوری میشه. هر جلد از این مجموعه داستان های جدا و مستقلی دارن اما در عین حال هم به طور خاصی به هم پیوسته هستند، برای همین برای کتاب دوم خلاصه نوشتم چون حدود نود درصد از کتاب قبلی مستقله (اما دقت کنید باید پشت سرهم خونده بشن حتما)....
پایان "کت و کبوترها" قابل قبول بود. یجورایی قابل پیشبینی بود اما نه در حدی که مایوس کننده باشه. من که راضی بودم. جمله‌ی پایانیش هم خیلی خوب با اسم کتاب پیوند خورده.👌

بریم برای کتاب سوم 😍✌

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this series as a kid (and I must have been reading pretty contemporarily with the publishing dates, because I recall waiting for the third book to be published) but could not for the life of me have told you the plot. It quite surprised me to read this book as an adult and find it chalk full of historical characters and tropes that I adore now: cross dressing, The Tempest, umbrella-wielding old women, the Clapham Circle. This was such a FUN book.

Frank is still my favorite character, though I don't think my CatxFrank ship is going anywhere. I would have enjoyed a whole book of Cat undercover at school with him and Charlie. (Oh wait, that's basically my other childhood favorite, A Murder for Her Majesty...)

Definitely an unexpectedly happy surprise. I planned to end my re-read of the series here but I'm kind of curious if I would hate book #3 as much now as I did in 2007. (But also I apparently loved book #4?! I didn't realize I read that one.)

I think my niece might need this series someday.

[GSGS · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series REALLY doesn't deserve the stars I give it XD But still, I have to because I love them so much.

Basically this is the next book in the Cat Royal series. Just as much fun as the first one. There's something oddly addictive about this book. I have come to the conclusion that it's the charries I love - the hot tempered and often sarcastic Cat, the protective butcher Syd, the full-of-himself ex-slave Pedro, Frank, Lizzie, and - yes!- even Billy. The plotlines aren't the best but these characters will always have me coming back.

I think the main problem with these books is that they're aimed at the wrong people. Readers my age are likely to enjoy them but the huge print and cover and stuff are aimed at ten year olds. If they made the books grow up a bit, then they'd get a wider audience. Because, TBH, not many 10 year olds are going to appreciate a historic novel, even if it is in disguise.

Best scenes:
-Three Quaker women attacking the villain with prayers
-Cat running through a 'gentleman's club' shouting insults
-Cat in Dr Vincent's office with Mr Sheridan (that awkward moment when your adopted father catches you illegally parading as a boy at a prestigious boy's school...)

[Negin · Rating 5 out of 5]

پرده ها میوفتند...
فراره سر همه جلدا کت دستگیر شه.. ؟ واقعاً؟!
عالی بود!
بدون چیز دیگه.. پیش به سوی جلد 3!
حس عجیبی دارم ک جلد بعدی مربوط به همون قول کت به بیلیه!

[Bethany Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably better than the first one, it made me love SO much! Cat pretends to be a boy and it is funny when Frank & Charlie try to protect her at the boys school!!!!☺

[Nathan Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read. Wasn't expecting to miss these characters

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story with a nice ending, however aimed at a younger audience I think. Lacked a bit of depth.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat Royal's second adventure begins with her friend Pedro about to become the darling of London with his performance as Ariel in Shakespeare's The Tempest. Pedro's owner arrives to claim Pedro as his slave and return the boy to the plantation in Jamaica. Cat must call upon her friends, Lord Francis and Lizzie and their mother's abolitionist friends for help. Cat manages to run afoul of Master Hawkins and has to flee the only home she's ever known. Cat needs the assistance of her friends more than ever, especially her street friends to help keep her safe. Her adventure takes her to unexpected places, including a boys' school. This is another fun adventure featuring Cat Royal. The suspense and tension begins early and doesn't let up until the end. There's nothing predictable about this plot. As in the first book, Cat is spunky and brave and her eccentric friends showcase the different types of people who inhabited 18th century London. This adventure is more frightening than the first and contains more detailed and accurate descriptions of London. I enjoyed this book even more than the first!

[Brooke Shirts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely sequel to The Diamond of Drury Lane, with more irrepressible behavior and spiffy 18th-century slang from Cat Royal, resident orphan of the Drury Lane Theater.

Like its predecessor, this story's best asset is in its cast of characters, and includes both high- and low-born alike. Pedro, the former slave/violin prodigy and co-inhabitant of the theater, is in peril. His former owner has tracked him down and claims to have the right to reenslave him. The theater and theater-going public protests, and when Pedro mysteriously disappears, Cat decides to rescue him herself.

For added interest, there's a funny sequence in which Cat hides from the law in a boarding school for aristocratic young gentlemen, a eerie trip into a den of theives known as the Rat's Nest, and a wonderful moment in which the vile gang leader known as Billy Boil gets rousted in the street by a trio of prim Quaker ladies. (I believe they pray him into oblivion.)

Altogether a worthy sequel in what is shaping up to be my favorite new children's mystery series.

[Selena (Life of a Random) · Rating 5 out of 5]

*detailed review to come*

(but this was one of the best Cat Royal books I've read. yes, I'm reading them out of order woops. it does get a little confusing but they can be read as standalones pretty easily as the whole cast and terms are reintroduced every book)

(Cat is a darling)

(Frank and Charlie are friend goals. SO CUTE. SO MISCHIEVOUS. I am HERE for the mischievous grins and plots and curly, messy hair)

(Pedro my babe. so soft and squishy but at the same time unbearably insufferable because he's so full of himself. bust mostly soft and squishy and vulnerable in this book)

(AND HIS AND CAT'S FRIENDSHIP IS SO PURE. I cry.)

(If you hadn't noticed, I adored getting to read these characters and live in their world again 😍)

[Emilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

More like a 4 3/4. I like the part when Cat goes to school with Frank and Charlie, pretending to be Charlie's little brother and Richmond calls her a nan boy and she is picked to be Electra in the play! :D That made me laugh.
The conflict between Billy Boil's like for Cat and his hate for her is even stronger in this book. He really creeps me out in the way at some points in the book I think he's not so bad. I have to remind myself just like Cat this he's evil.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it!!! For the first book and half of the second I was totally in love with Syd. And now for some reason, it's all Billy!! He's without a doubt the most captivating bad guy I have ever know. (He beats out Heathcliff for me) I wish he was real. I can't get over him. These books have me caught in their grasp!! I love them. Golding has hit that sacred realm of my favorite authors. She is matched up with Jacques, Alcott, and Montgomery, and a couple others whose names escape me!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat Royal (am I the only one who pronounces it like roy-ahl?) is a delight. Also, She should totally end up with A certain boxing leader of a gang...(yes, the good one!)

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

2 books down 5 to go for BookTube-A-Thon!!!

This was a reread for me and I still enjoyed it as much as I did when I was younger. It's a fun adventure story in England and it's full of action and fun and I love it.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters make this series. They emulate the friendship and dramatic rivalry every child loves to read about, which combined with the historical setting makes this among my favourite series that I read as a child.

[Simrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly forgot how much chemistry there is between Frank and Cat! Also I forgot how easy these books were to read. I'm whizzing through them, not that I have much else to do.

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book!
I bought the third book off trade me and it
should come within a few weeks.(Den of thieves)

[stuck_in_a_booksuzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Love LOVE it. So so Funny

[Roberta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sorry, wrong author.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit forced at times, but entertaining nonetheless. These stories have nonstop adventure. Every time Cat gets out of one scrape, she jumps straight into another.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid book, but not one for what I'm in the mood for.

Kind of late middle-grade-ish. Old England. Story of two theater kids, one an ex-slave, and their attempts to stay out of the clutches of a prior slave owner. Some politics and wheeling-dealing. Some daring escapes. Some disguise and discussion.

[Abi · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my quest to re-read this entire series, one of my absolute favourite historical fiction series and the subject of my obsession a couple of years ago, it was time to tackle the second book. I remembered this book not as one of my favourites but just one I was required to get to in order to read my personal favourite the third book. However, on re-reading this I realised just how hilarious this book really is. I absolutely adore the way Julia Golding writes dialogue – and I particularly love how dialect is used to distinguish the characters from each other – and there were various scenes in this book that I’d forgotten about that had me giggling out loud and wondering how the heck I’d forgotten about them. The setting of Georgian London is so vibrant and vivid that it’s so easy to immerse yourself in the story and the characters. I also love that while the majority of the events are fictional there are threads of historical accuracy running through the book. And there are so many things to be gathered from the title about the character of Cat that I just can’t fault it.

The second episode in the Cat Royal adventure series plunges readers into the underbelly of London in a mission for justice. Pedro’s old slave master wants him back, but his friends on Drury Lane won’t give him up without a fight. Disguised as a boy, Cat enters an aristocratic boarding school and scales the heights of London society before joining a street gang to probe its depths, all to secure the freedom of her friend. This book features mysteries, theatrical spectacles, the evil Billy “Boil” Shepherd, and, of course, the irrepressible Cat, who never fails to stir up trouble and save the day wherever she goes.

The main thing that stands out about this book to me, and a few other books in the series too, is that it uses a historical event or events and uses them for a backdrop of the story. So not only does this book teach you about the Abolition of Slavery and introduce you to some of real historical figures who played a part in it, it also gives you a chance to get to know these fictional characters that Julia Golding has created. And what characters they are. They are all so diverse and unique and it really does give a great flavour of all the figures that you would come across in typical Georgian London. I especially like how Golding uses dialogue to distinguish the different classes, professions and genders because it shows just how segregated things were. And the banter between the characters is just genius – I forgot just how funny this book is in general. And I need more books about the exploits of Charlie and Frank with Lizzie looking on disapprovingly but secretly loving it.

I know that this book is probably aimed at a slightly younger audience but I still found myself being swept away by the characters and the plot, despite having read the book once before. And while the plot may clean up a tad bit too nicely and easily for my liking, and there a few scenes that do border on being slightly unrealistic and too cheesy, I still didn’t find any glaring issues with the over arcing story which I thought I might do, looking back on it with a more mature set of eyes. I do think that sometimes the characters can be a tad two-dimensional; they are all portrayed as either ‘good’ or ‘bad’ and sometimes it’s nice to have a little overlap just to make the characters more interesting. But, yet again, this book is aimed at young teens.

Overall, this book was incredibly enjoyable and entertaining and I absolutely flew through it in a matter of days. I’d give it a 4 out of 5 stars because it was a fun and engaging read with some fantastic world-building and dialogue between the characters.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat Among the Pigeons by Julia Golding
Roaring Brook Press, 2006
362 pages
YA; Historical
4/5 stars

Source: Library

I didn't mention this but just like the first book, the first pages of this book share hilarious blurbs from such distinguished personages as Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Beethoven.

Sequel to The Diamond of Drury Lane, where we are introduced to Cat Royal, Pedro Hawkins, and her assorted friends, acquaintances, and enemies in and around the theater.

I think I actually liked this even more than the first book as the personalities were already established so we got to dive right in to the story, which revolves around a very important historical event: the battle for abolition of slavery across Great Britain and its territories. Per my research, slavery was abolished in England itself in 1772 but it was not until 1833 that is was abolished across Great Britain and its colonies. Consequently it was a hot button issue. Pedro had thought he had escaped his cruel master Hawkins but that man shows up here, determined to reclaim his property. Although he cannot do so in England, once he sets sail for the West Indies, he can legally do as he wants.

Cat, of course, inserts herself fighting on behalf of Pedro and finds herself wanted, leading to a series of improbable disguises. First she masquerades as a boy in Lord Francis's public school and then she hides out with Quakers, attempting to act as a prim and proper lady. I loved those scenes of her disguise and Cat continued to be a charming narrator.

However I am somewhat uncomfortable with the role of Billy "Boil" Shepherd, whose twisted relationship with Cat becomes even more so. His behavior is really quite frightening, even if he does have some scruples. He has also moved up in the world, gaining more areas under his control for his power and financial prosperity. SPOILER: I think I've read that they become a couple in later books and I'm wondering how Cat gets past his boorish behavior in this and the previous book. There must be a lot of development of his character. END SPOILER

Overall: Another enchanting diversion with Cat Royal; superior to the first book and with the promise of a Parisian trip amid revolution in the third.

[LPR · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books, and I can't quite put my finger on why. Complexity? Characters? Setting? It may be every single solitary element of that wonderful setting of the wonderful Golding. I just love this other side of London, with every element, from the foul-mouthed tought justice market to the tea rooms of Grosvenor Square. It's so much fun and so interesting and super realistic, while being fanciful. My best way to describe these books is that I think these books are the best for someone who doesn't like historical fiction, because the world is so real and so complex that you could convince yourself it is adventure fantasy without any struggle at all. And I do like the characters a lot. So, I know why I like it, I just can't put my finger on why I can reread them so often. Maybe it is my fiery need for the rest of the books in this, the great United States. We LOVE CAT TOO, publishing companies! Bring us the joy as well!
It just occurred to me that I have possibly reread this one an extra time in comparison with one and three or four. Oh well. I'll put three on to-re-read as soon as possible. I just have to taper off the rereading as we come to the end-that-isnt-the-end, which is painful for all involved.

.........16-21 April 2013....................
.........January 20-21 2011......................
page 55: 'the Duchess is my favorite! '

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since this book is written for the younger end of YA (12/13 years old), there isn't any romance, but as I read, I kept wondering who Cat might end up with. Pedro? Frank's friend Christopher? Possibly even the horrible Billy? It was certainly implied that Billy was interested in Cat even if she is oblivious to it at this point and a bit too young besides.

I don't normally think of slavery touching England all that much, but this book centered on Pedro, a former/escaped slave who is now an apprentice at the Royal Theater with Cat. His former master comes to town looking for him, determined to get back his "property." Apparently, Pedro had been loaned to someone who then thought to make a buck or two. This person sold Pedro without permission to the person who eventually freed him and became his mentor during his apprenticeship at the theater. But, since he wasn't legally sold, he still technically belonged to his original master. At times this was a hard book to read because of the subject matter. Hawkins, Pedro's former master, is a disgusting man who not only wants Pedro back merely to kill him to set an example, he also tries to kill Cat and treats her in an equally disgusting manner.

Still, I thought it was a good book, and I will continue to read the series.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

great series.

[Cherrylea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally I found this book - my library only had the first and the third, whatever that was about, and I'm a stickler for reading in order.
In this book, I think the greatest thing is probably Cat's voice. She's such an entertaining narrator - no wonder she wishes to be a writer, and will certainly be successful in that venue. Her voice is bright, and this book certainly falls into the category of books with "voice," obviously. Drury lane never gets old, now with Pedro's freedom in jeopardy and Cat in trouble, again, with the law. She's on the run, masquerading as a boy and other guises to get by. The fun never stops - Cat's disguise as a boy was quite delightful, really. She really has a sense of humor, and her friends are great. That's another thing - the loyalty between her and her friends is so great. It really is wonderful, the bond they have. I loved reading about their fun escapades. I can't wait to see how more these characters that we've met develop.
So, I'd recommend this to middle schoolers who love adventure and some real fun. This is a great book, but don't forget - it's a sequel! Look for the first: The Diamond of Drury Lane! I'll be looking for the third now - too bad my school is closed, they had it!

[Anna Bergmark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave the first book in this series 4 very weak stars, out of the goodness of my heart really. Truth be told, I found it a bit hard to stitch it together... On one hand the gritty realism of poverty, inequality and violence, and on the other hand the outlandish! ease with which every difficulty always sorted itself out in the end, like when a fairy godmother waves her magic wand. And how many fairy godmothers did there float about in the London gutters of the 1790's? Not many, that's my guess, so no... At times it was a hard chew indeed.
And now?
Now the humour's been turned up a notch, making it a much more fun and sassy read. Like when our heroine Cat hides from the police by barbing her hair and posing as a pupil in a prestigious school for boys. It's quite amusing. And what do you know! When delivered with a smile and a wink even the most incredible of lucky turnouts and narrow escapes - there's still a lot of them about, let me tell you - seems almost natural. They didn't stick in my craw so much anyhow, and so this time my 4 stars are of the solid variety. Hope they stay that way, and on towards the third installment. Tally-ho and hop the twig and you're not worth a fart you hog-grubbing skivvy!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great continuation of this historical fiction series! Cat's friend Pedro is reclaimed by his former slave owner. In trying to help him, Cat ends up on the run from the police and disguises herself as a boy at an upper class boys school. Addresses abolition of slavery and gender issues of the time.

Cat Royale, resident orphan of the famous Drury Lane Theater in 1790's London, is back with her friend Pedro, an African slave boy starring as Ariel in The Tempest at the theater. The action starts when Pedro's ex-master shows up to claim him and kidnaps him. On the run from the police after a mishap in a men's club, Cat takes refuge at her friend Lord Francis' posh boy's school, disguised as a boy. Cat and Quaker abolitionist friends must find Pedro before he is shipped back to slavery in the Caribbean.

Cat's second historical fiction/adventure is great fun, a fast read with lots of action, and takes on slavery issues of the times. As before, the story is rich in street life, theater lore, and gender issues of the time.