Nanny Tobbins and the Midnight Plan by Lucie Stevens

Title: Nanny Tobbins and the Midnight Plan

Author: Lucie Stevens

Genre: Historical Mystery

Publisher: HarperCollins Australia

Published: 26^th May 2026

Format: Paperback

Pages: 320

Price: $18.99

Synopsis: The sequel to R.I.P. Nanny Tobbins, the quirky and very funny MG fantasy title that is perfect for fans of A Girl Called Corpse and Nevermoor.

1851, LONDON

Six months have passed since the grand opening of the Great Exhibition — and Albertine and her family couldn’t be happier.

But the season of good fortune ends abruptly when a Royal Jewel goes missing and Albertine’s friend, dearest Blot, is accused of its theft. Determined to prove Blot’s innocence, Papa launches an investigation. Yet despite his best efforts, the true thief cannot be found.

With time running short before Blot is imprisoned, Albertine hatches a plan. She will enlist the help of the grown-up with the sharpest eyes she knows: her ghost-governess, Nanny Tobbins.

Residing in the graveyard has, however, turned Nanny quite odd and managing her is rather difficult.

Will Nanny Tobbins’ presence assist Albertine in clearing Blot’s name, or will it make matters worse?

~*~

It’s been six months since Nanny Tobbins died and went away. Albertine and her Stepmother are getting on well, and the Great Exhibition has been going well. That is, until Blot, Albertine’s good friend is accused of stealing a Royal Jewel and nothing anyone is trying seems to be helping clear his name. If they can’t clear Blot’s name, he’ll be imprisoned for a very long time.

So while she gets to know the Royal Children, much to Frau Warter’s chagrin, Albertine decides to find Nanny Tobbins again. Because only the ghost-governess can help!

Albertine’s new adventure takes her off to the palace and through London at night, all for beloved Blot. It’s a caper that highlights the stark class differences of the 1850s, from the lowest classes all the way up to royalty and the connections people made that helped them or perhaps hindered them.

It also examines how we judge people before having the full story, and what can happen if we don’t try and get to know people. It serves to show that everyone is different, that everyone struggles with things, and that everyone needs someone who can understand them and who they can talk to when they need to.

It continues the story from the previous book as Albertine moves on without her beloved nanny, and plays with the detective trope. What would you do if a ghost was the only one who could help you solve a mystery? It’s such fun, and I loved that Albertine’s father was so determined to help Blot, because it illustrated that the class divide was there, yet everyone had different approaches to how they dealt with this and helped other people.

As I had read the first book, I was very happy when this one arrived, because it meant I could see what happened next and if Albertine’s story would find some kind of conclusion in this one where she’s happy and settled. That’s all we ever want, and I think this one did it so well.

It’s a story on its own, yet also a sequel. I think you could read this one on its own, but it’s a lot more fun, and makes much more sense if you read it after the first one. I have enjoyed both, and the different takes it has on mystery and history. It captures something unique and fun, and is a great book for middle grade and older readers.

I think books that explore history and the things that each era explored, that have shaped the world and shaped the world of the characters. This was a great book and I hope kids who have read the first one will enjoy this one just as much.