This is a review of an advance copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

tl;dr
A great book for fans of classic mysteries and where the reader is challenged to solve the mystery before the reveal. Very little by way of character development or time spent in the titular detective.

About
When Scotland Yard is baffled by an impossible locked room mystery, they call upon the aid of Joseph Spector, a retired stage magician with a knack for unravelling the impossible.

What I Liked
This is an absolutely classic "Ten Commandments of Detective Fiction" mystery that leaves all the clues out for the reader to unravel without making the culprit too obvious. It will take some keen reading to catch all the clues, and some sneaky ones are even hidden away in the chapter titles. The plot unfolds at a very nice clip, with suspects holding onto secrets just long enough to be tantalizing, and not so long as to be frustrating. The interconnected mysteries all come to a very satisfying conclusion. What little we learn about the amateur detective Joseph Spector is interesting.

What Wasn't For Me
The text itself promises an "intellectual distance" from the mystery, which lines up with the very classic feel of the writing. But these days I tend to prefer a little more emotional insight, if not with the suspects, then at least with the detective. We learn disappointingly little about the titular magician, and that only from outside sources. This appears to be the start of a series, so I hope that more will be unveiled later.

With thanks to NetGalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

tl;dr
If you've never read Arsène Lupin before and you want to, this is absolutely the way to do it. Would also look very attractive on your shelf.

About:
Arsène Lupin, the original gentleman thief! This is an illustrated collection of the first nine Lupin novellas, detailing several classic Lupin tales.

What I Liked:
Okay, so there are a lot of things to cover, here. I will try to organize them.

1.) The actual stories (you can skip this if you've already read them)
As the original gentleman thief and inspiration to generations of thieves after him, Lupin continues to hold up surprisingly well! I was worried that all the plot twists and tricks would feel old and stale after seeing them remade for so many years, but the absolute audacity of this man transcends all who followed him. His battle against the "I swear this is not copyright infringement" British detective Herlock Sholmes was especially entertaining. They don't include all the Herlock Sholmes stories here, but the one that is here is the best one, anyway. Stories are tightly plotted and fast-paced, written with the feeling of someone recounting a story to you.

2.) The localization
Translation is tricky business. I've read other translations of these books before, but since I don't know French, I cannot speak to the accuracy of any of them. I can say, however, that this is a very readable book. Nothing feels too "translate-y," and the flow is quite natural. The story is very dialogue-forward, and the localization does a reasonable job differentiating the various character voices.

3.) The illustrations
I love them! The sketches are lovely, and the full page color shots are very well-composed. I'm a fan of the soft lines, and the "mystery adventure" vibe that most of the images give off.

What Wasn't For Me:
Genre-savvy readers will find very few surprises when it comes to plot twists, and some of the reveals might be disappointing. The fact-forward writing is not very immersive. But if I'm being honest, these are very minor issues. The description promises a Miyazaki-like flair for the illustrations, which I didn't really see. At the most, maybe Miyazaki pulled from similar influences, but there's a distinctly French look to this, and I don't really feel any anime influence.

tl;dr
It's a crew of misfit kids with varying secret histories doing a heist in a brutal fantasy world. You already know if you want to read this.

About
Ryia "The Butcher" Cautella is on the run. She has been for a while. She's always managed to stay one step ahead of the Guildmaster of Thamorr, but he seems to be closing in faster every time. And now, with time running out, she's forced to join a team of people with histories and motives as secretive as hers to steal from that very Guildmaster.

What I Liked:
It ticks all the boxes for me, genre-wise. Fantasy heists are my kryptonite, and a team of misfit kids will always get me excited. This book absolutely delivered on the promise - a thrilling heist, conflicting motivations, morally gray characters, deadly secrets, interesting magical worldbuilding, and some fun interpersonal relationship stuff. Multiple POVs written with powerful distinct voices, and I liked all of them. Ivan is my favorite, with Evelyn a close second. The item being stolen was well woven into the world building and magic system. Writing was fast-paced and snappy. The ending strongly implies a sequel, and I hope that it comes quickly. Can't wait to read more!

What Wasn't For Me:
My other kryptonite is found family, and there is very little going on here. I do respect the author doubling down on a group of thieves who all plan to betray each other, and I think I'll probably eat it up it when it happens. But if you were hoping everyone would learn to look after each other after they went through some trials - that absolutely will not happen. I prefer slow burn romance, but I was not even aware there was a romance until I read it in a description.

tl;dr
Strong mystery hook based on true events that spark the imagination, with a very honest love of maps and cartography. Well placed magical realism. Too many characters to track easily, and an antagonist with unclear motives.

Summary:
Nell Young loves everything related to cartography. Working at the New York Public Library, she's positioned to become a leader in the field until an argument with her already famous cartographer father about the provenance of a cheap gas station map gets her booted from the library, and then the industry. Years later, her father dies under mysterious circumstances, and it seems like the same cheap map might be the reason. But why? And how is it related to the death of her mother all those years ago?

What I Liked:
I tend to be less interested in books where the plot does most of the driving, but this book was an exception. It's absolutely the kind of book I'd describe as "page turner." I was worried that the map's big secret would be some sort of treasure trove or other equally disappointing payoff, but the truth was actually much more satisfying. The mystery comes in strong, with enough hints planted along the way that the magical reveal is surprising, but easy to accept once it's out in the open. There's a very real love of cartography here that's infectious. Not only did I believe that all the characters involved care about mapmaking, I felt just as excited as them. Settings are described in immersive detail, making each of the places feel very real and present. The description of the time spent in

Agloe

was especially haunting, and I was moved by the powerful sense of unease I felt every time they visited. I also really like the historical notes and the real history that this story is based on. The novel

Paper Towns

also leans on this history, but this book goes in an entirely different, more fantastical, direction that I really liked.

What Wasn't for Me:
Despite the plot being completely riveting, it did suffer from one of my least favorite plot extenders: People keeping secrets for much longer than is responsible. MC's been in danger her entire life, and you thought not telling her was protecting her? And when the bodies start dropping, proving that the danger was getting closer, you thought telling her not to look into it would somehow keep the danger from reaching her? Sigh.

The antagonist's motives and methods were very fuzzy.

I figured out it was William pretty much at the start, which I assume is the author's intent. I really would have liked to see that pressed to an advantage - either giving us hidden knowledge so he became a sympathetic villain, or pushing his evil side so we could have some deliciously tense reader moments every time he interacted with one of the characters.

Perspectives outside of MC Nell and her ex Felix didn't really have enough space to develop distinct characters.

tl;dr
Very interesting magic system that I'd love to more know about, and some cool legal drama. Despite multiple POVs, only the lead character got significant development.

About:
At seventeen years old, Cayder knows exactly what he wants for his life. He intends to be a prosecutor, putting away criminals who use the forbidden time-altering magic known as edem. He lands an apprenticeship with a public defender, hoping to use his time there to learn the tricks of his future opponents. But his world view shifts suddenly when his first three clients all test his own ideas of right and wrong.

What I Liked:
The magic system with edem and time-shifting caught my attention immediately. I haven't read anything quite like it, and it was cool seeing all the creative ways it can be manipulated. I'm surprised how much I enjoyed the courtroom scenes. Those are typically my least favorite part of a book, namely because they seem to rely on the main characters suddenly getting very stupid about things. In this case, both the prosecution and the public defender were very competent, and the twists in the case felt earned rather than contrived. For the characters, Cayder gets the most page time, and I think that really pushes him ahead in terms of development. He's likable, and his capacity for learning and change make him a great lead. The other cast members vary. While Jey is set up to be the roguish troublemaker with a penchant for acting, he doesn't actually get to show off very much, and I feel like he isn't given enough to do until he finally gets looped into the main plot. Leta is supposed to be precocious, but sometimes comes off as stupid in a frustrating way. I appreciate her desire to know the truth, but she didn't make a lot of smart choices to get there. Elle is the character I want to know most about. There's not a lot done to build her background - only her current goals. Hope we learn more about her in the second book. Kema is probably my favorite character - her personality and history are very compelling. The plot takes some time to get going, setting up what feels like separate threads, then slowly weaving them together in sometimes surprising ways.

What Wasn't for Me:
The title is not kidding. There are lots of liars in this book. And lots of lies. Maybe too many? Is that possible? Some reveals felt like they were held back on purpose for no reason other than they needed to come later.

I know Leta and Cayder had drifted apart, but why would she hide the truth about her death mark for so long? "I killed a guy because he was threatening me," seems like a much better defense than "I killed three hundred innocent folks because I was doing forbidden magic."

The villains of the piece are not very well-defined. While they posed a believable threat, there's not a lot I can say about them except the leader seems like maybe he has bad intentions? The sales text indicated this would be good for fans of Six of Crows, which pointed my expectations in the wrong direction. There isn't exactly a mastermind heist going on here, and the leads barely get to know each other by the end. The leads also largely lack the ruthlessness of the Crows. Go into this expecting a story about a bunch of kids in over their heads just trying to figure out a magical conspiracy, and you'll probably have a better time.

tl;dr
Great for fans of heists in fantasy worlds with evil powers at work behind the scenes. Well-paced plot, somewhat lacking in character development. I am looking forward to the sequel.

About:
Callan is a conman. Or a con boy, rather. He's been on his own for a while, but thanks to the advice of the nameless conman who raised him, he's been able to make a good living for himself. At least, until a mysterious man hires him to steal from the High Weaver. The item? Unknown. But it's definitely protected with magic that only a kid can defeat - so now it's up to Callan as a ragtag group of four other young thieves to steal the mystery item, or die trying.

What I Liked:
Kevin Sands writes kids who are smart, capable, and determined, without making it seem too much like adults just talking out of child-aged characters. Callan gets the most page time, and he's a very compelling hero. A good balance of moral gray and caring for his teammates. Foxtail is my favorite character! Charming, deeply mysterious, and a lot of fun to read! I'm a huge sucker for found family, which this book does really well. Also loved the way fables about the Fox are woven in to the mystery at large. The world-building is lighter than I expected compared to Sands' other works, but it covers everything necessary to keep things consistent. Strong finale, and I am eager to read the next installment.

What Wasn't For Me:
I long for greater character development for Meriel, who didn't seem to get much further than "Pretty cool girl!" It's probably a good sign that I want to know more about the characters, but so far I am a little let down. More violence and blood than I expected from a middle grade book. It's not a turnoff, but might come as a surprise to someone not expecting it.

tl;dr
Good for fans of determined heroines with secret powers, and the boys who love them. A satisfying standalone mystery that unfolds at a quick pace. Somewhat fuzzy world building.

About:
Myra Whitlock is a Prodigy - born with a forbidden power to alter reality with her paintings. When the governor's son dies in a terrible accident, she is secretly summoned to try to paint him back to life. But was the young man's death really an accident? And if not, what would someone do to keep him dead?

What I Liked:
An interesting power set with well-defined rules that don't make the protagonist OP, but still clearly a danger. I appreciated the detail given to the act of painting itself. Some very well-written gothic vibes, especially exploring the house at night. Seriously gave me shivers! The depiction of August's social anxiety and how he learns to live with it was thoughtfully written. I really enjoyed how well-paced the clues to the mystery were. I figured out the culprit early enough to feel smart, but not bored.

What Wasn't For Me:
The rival love interest late in the book didn't do much for me, and

his confession that he was doing everything for the love of another woman really diluted his motivation

. The time period and location of the world are unclear, and very little detail is given to the religion that plays a big role in the story's backdrop.

tl;dr: A fun retelling of Pygmalion with a great culinary backdrop and a genuinely empathetic core. Great for people who like descriptions of food, and an empathetic look at living in the diaspora. Romance felt secondary, and might be disappointing.

About:
Henrietta Higgins is on her way to becoming a top Culinarian, with only her class's final project between her and stardom. When she and her best friend Penelope Pickering come across pasty chef Elijah Little, Henrietta knows she has the project that will catapult her to the top: turn a kid from the street into a respected gentleman chef. A gender-swapped version of Pygmalion/My Fair Lady.

What I Liked:
The three leads were all well-written with distinct personalities and ambitions. Penelope Pickering was bright, kind, and really a delightful character all-around. I liked the frank discussion about being mixed race, and would have loved to see even more time dedicated to her Filipino heritage. Elijah Little likewise was a delightful character - bold, determined, and very easy to cheer for. Another very frank discussion about his Jewish heritage, which build perfectly into his own journey. An interesting alternate reality England, although there wasn't a lot of time spent on world-building. A lot of food descriptions.

What Wasn't For Me:
Henrietta Higgins is going to be a sticking point for a lot of readers. She's not a very kind person, and being capable has only made her colder. The author gave her enough layers that it's possible to sympathize with her, and I mostly came around by the end. There was a pretty rough "I'm not racist, but-" moment from her that was truly hard to get through. 

The biggest plot change from the original inspiration shifts the romance from Higgins x Doolittle, to Pickering x Little. I understand why the change was made, as a Higgins x Little romance feels super weird. But without the tension of the original pairing, the romance wound up falling a little flat to me. A romantic rival was introduced, but he never really stood a chance. And one of my least favorite tropes - lack of communication - played into some drama at the end.

tl;dr: Good for fans of fast-paced adventure about kids on the run, and Jonathan Stroud's world building. I tentatively await the next installment in the series.

About:
Scarlett is a young outlaw who's good at robbing banks and getting into trouble with the wrong kind of people. Albert is a mysterious boy who seems both absolutely naive and incredibly dangerous at the same time. When Albert asks Scarlett to keep him safe on an escort mission, she agrees. Which is apparently a bad choice, since he's on the run from some decidedly dangerous people.

What I Liked:
I'm always hesitant when it comes to "feisty" female characters because there's so much potential for them to make severely bad choices. However, I'm happy to say that Scarlett is a very well-balanced, well-written character with a lot of very thoughtful layers and complexity. We don't get much of her history in this book, but she was easily the core of the story for me. As with Stroud's other writing, there is some incredibly thorough world building that unfolds at a very natural pace. This one takes place in a sort of post-apocalyptic world where the cities we live in now have fallen and been rebuilt. There's a very lonely quality to the landscape in the wilderness portions that spark the imagination. Several scenes involving the Tainted

zombies

were very scary, which is a bonus for me.

What Wasn't for Me:
Albert was difficult to warm up to at first. I think I struggled to really understand his character, and I found his naiveté made me feel Scarlett's frustration on several occasions. I can understand why he'd want to keep his own history a secret, but his refusal to at least give Scarlett a reasonable warning that authorities were after him felt pretty reckless, and did not endear me to him. Surprisingly little bank robbery for a story about a bank robber. With only one real bank robbery for the readers to witness, and that one sloppy at best, it's hard for me to really picture Scarlett as the infamous outlaw that the text claims she is. I still love her, but the description of the book made me expect more heist shenanigans. The description of the second book does seem to imply there will be more, though. The shift in tone for the ending was a surprise, and reminded me quite a bit of the final book in A Series of Unfortunate Events in terms of subverting expectations.