What do you think?
Rate this book
The Sackville Street Caper: Molly Malone and Bram Stoker
Dublin, 1858
BRAM boy seeking adventure (and things to write about)
MOLLY part-time fishmonger and full-time sneak thief!
When Bram runs away from boarding school and meets streetwise Molly, he finds all the excitement he’s ever wanted. Together they explore the city, with its Sackville Street Spooks, hoodlums and heroes – and let’s not forget the very creepy Count Vladimir Grof-Constantin de Lugosi.
As Bram looks for inspiration for the famous book he has yet to write
– DRACULA – our two heroes stumble upon a dastardly plot to steal …
the Irish Crown Jewels!
Let the game of cat and mouse begin
BRAM boy seeking adventure (and things to write about)
MOLLY part-time fishmonger and full-time sneak thief!
When Bram runs away from boarding school and meets streetwise Molly, he finds all the excitement he’s ever wanted. Together they explore the city, with its Sackville Street Spooks, hoodlums and heroes – and let’s not forget the very creepy Count Vladimir Grof-Constantin de Lugosi.
As Bram looks for inspiration for the famous book he has yet to write
– DRACULA – our two heroes stumble upon a dastardly plot to steal …
the Irish Crown Jewels!
Let the game of cat and mouse begin
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2022
1 person is currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Alan Nolan
46 books7 followersAlan Nolan is a comics writer, graphic designer, artist and co-creator of the horror series Sancho. He is the creator of The Big Break Detectives Casebook, a graphic novel for younger readers, and the 'Murder Can Be Fatal' mysteries. Born in Dublin, he studied at the National College of Art and Design. He lives in Bray, County Wicklow, with his wife and three sons.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 6, 2022
Alan is well known for his illustrated books, both for young readers and confident. (If you ever have a chance to see Alan live, absolutely do not miss it.) This is slightly out of his norm, being a longer story with no illustrations, but it still has his anarchic sense of humour.
Alan has taken the historical character of Bram Stoker, who grew up in Dublin in real life, and added the fictional character of Molly Malone, she of the fish cart, while they're both preteens. Alan's version of Molly is a part time fish monger and full time pickpocket (except for Tuesday, that's rest day.) Molly and her gang quite literally crash into Bram as he's searching for inspiration for his later writing, and they become entangled in an attempt to steal the Irish crown jewels. As you do.
Alan's sense of humour is on display here, and the bits of history included are fascinating (Charles Dickens performed A Christmas Carol in the Rotunda! Ireland really had Crown Jewels!). The map and Dramatis Personae at the front are really helpful as well - since this is set in the 1880s, several streets have older names and I didn't immediately place all of them.
I really enjoyed this and I can't wait to (hopefully) read more adventures of the Sackville Street Spooks!
Alan has taken the historical character of Bram Stoker, who grew up in Dublin in real life, and added the fictional character of Molly Malone, she of the fish cart, while they're both preteens. Alan's version of Molly is a part time fish monger and full time pickpocket (except for Tuesday, that's rest day.) Molly and her gang quite literally crash into Bram as he's searching for inspiration for his later writing, and they become entangled in an attempt to steal the Irish crown jewels. As you do.
Alan's sense of humour is on display here, and the bits of history included are fascinating (Charles Dickens performed A Christmas Carol in the Rotunda! Ireland really had Crown Jewels!). The map and Dramatis Personae at the front are really helpful as well - since this is set in the 1880s, several streets have older names and I didn't immediately place all of them.
I really enjoyed this and I can't wait to (hopefully) read more adventures of the Sackville Street Spooks!
January 20, 2023
This story is an excellent adventure featuring two of Ireland’s greatest icons, Bram Stoker and Molly Malone – as kids.
Molly Malone is the leader of a gang of street kids, Shep, Rose, Billy the Pan, Calico Tom, and of course their dog Her Majesty. The gang are known as the Sackville Spooks. These characters are full of charm and personality as they go about their schemes while trying to survive in Victorian Dublin City.
Whilst times were hard for these kids, Nolan is sure to focus on the fun they have during their adventures, which are full of laughs and memorable moments.
Bram makes a nice addition to the Spooks. Though from a privileged background, the gang accept him all the same due to his shared love of adventure.
The villains in this story are comical. There's Count Vladimir – who is reminiscent of Count Dracula (without being a vampire), and his dim-witted henchmen, Messers Bounderby and Caddsworth who provide plenty of laughs when the kids get one up on them throughout the story.
I flew through this book in a couple of days and highly recommend to the young people in your life.
If anything this book will teach you the importance of the elephant of surprise!
Molly Malone is the leader of a gang of street kids, Shep, Rose, Billy the Pan, Calico Tom, and of course their dog Her Majesty. The gang are known as the Sackville Spooks. These characters are full of charm and personality as they go about their schemes while trying to survive in Victorian Dublin City.
Whilst times were hard for these kids, Nolan is sure to focus on the fun they have during their adventures, which are full of laughs and memorable moments.
Bram makes a nice addition to the Spooks. Though from a privileged background, the gang accept him all the same due to his shared love of adventure.
The villains in this story are comical. There's Count Vladimir – who is reminiscent of Count Dracula (without being a vampire), and his dim-witted henchmen, Messers Bounderby and Caddsworth who provide plenty of laughs when the kids get one up on them throughout the story.
I flew through this book in a couple of days and highly recommend to the young people in your life.
If anything this book will teach you the importance of the elephant of surprise!
March 3, 2024
*Audiobook*
This was great fun, it really was, and a perfect detox from some of the heavier stuff I've read recently (and currently reading). It's a short but very satisfying little read; I've never read anything by Alan Nolan before, but I'll keep an eye out from now on to be sure.
While it's based on one actual historical character and one fictional (some will argue "legendary") character, The Sackville Street Caper gives us two characters in Bram and Molly that are just brimming with life and vitality. Even the supporting villains, Bounderby and Cadsworth, are just so much fun. Count Vlad, not so much, though unfortunately (but I, being a Dracula fan, loved the little Easter eggs for Stoker's best-known work). I must point out though that, this being an audiobook, the narrator - Christopher Simpson - needs a major clap on the back, too. His work on this book was exceptional!
Would I recommend this book? Without a doubt! I'm 41, and I loved it, I can only imagine what an 8 or a 9 year old would think of it!
This was great fun, it really was, and a perfect detox from some of the heavier stuff I've read recently (and currently reading). It's a short but very satisfying little read; I've never read anything by Alan Nolan before, but I'll keep an eye out from now on to be sure.
While it's based on one actual historical character and one fictional (some will argue "legendary") character, The Sackville Street Caper gives us two characters in Bram and Molly that are just brimming with life and vitality. Even the supporting villains, Bounderby and Cadsworth, are just so much fun. Count Vlad, not so much, though unfortunately (but I, being a Dracula fan, loved the little Easter eggs for Stoker's best-known work). I must point out though that, this being an audiobook, the narrator - Christopher Simpson - needs a major clap on the back, too. His work on this book was exceptional!
Would I recommend this book? Without a doubt! I'm 41, and I loved it, I can only imagine what an 8 or a 9 year old would think of it!
July 7, 2024
Nolan's Nippers #1
Bram Stoker/Molly Malone #1
Fiction tale about the factual Bram Stoker and the fictional Molly Malone is an engaging and fun tale of thieves and villains an evil count, a boy seeking adventure and who wants to write, and a cameo from one Charles Dickens!
Bram Stoker/Molly Malone #1
Fiction tale about the factual Bram Stoker and the fictional Molly Malone is an engaging and fun tale of thieves and villains an evil count, a boy seeking adventure and who wants to write, and a cameo from one Charles Dickens!
December 2, 2023
Adorable fun children's book fun for all ages
August 8, 2024
Super cute and informative :)
January 14, 2025
A cute children's book where 11 year olds Braham Stoker and Molly Maline foil a plot to steal the Irish crown jewels.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews