Caroline Milmoe

After her parents are killed, a young girl is sent to London to live with her uncle and his family. Her uncle, who is a toymaker, secretly has the power to make his toys come to life, but he also maintains dictatorial control over his family and intends to exercise the same control over the new arrival.

The 'Crucible' is a new muck-raking tabloid newspaper in London. Managing editor Russell Spam is always on the lookout for the latest dirt and gossip, while senior editor Harold Stringer struggles to preserve some sense of dignity (usually to no avail). Spam writes such questionable stories as lurid details about Prince Andrew's girlfriend, a campaign to bring back capital punishment, and accusing a bishop of being a werewolf.