Hagar of the Pawn-Shop by Fergus Hume is a captivating and engaging novel that follows the story of a young woman who works in a pawn shop in London. The author does a fantastic job of bringing the characters to life, especially the titular character of Hagar. The reader is able to sympathize with her struggles and root for her as she navigates the challenges of her daily life.

The plot is well-paced and keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. There are plenty of twists and turns that keep the story interesting, and the ending ties up all the loose ends in a satisfying way. The setting of the pawn shop adds an interesting backdrop to the story and gives insight into the lives of those who work in such establishments.

One of the strengths of the novel is the way the author tackles themes of poverty, classism, and gender roles. Hagar's character is complex and multi-dimensional, and her journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring. The author does a great job of highlighting the struggles that women faced during this time period and the ways in which they were able to overcome them.

Overall, Hagar of the Pawn-Shop is a well-written and thought-provoking novel that will leave readers thinking long after they have finished it. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction and strong female protagonists.

Book Description:
Hagar Stanley, a beautiful young Gypsy, is driven by sexual harassment to leave her tribe and seek refuge with her uncle Jacob, a miserly London pawnbroker. He dies after teaching Hagar the business, and she takes over running the popshop till the legitimate heir can be traced. In the odd assortment of objects that pass across her counter, Hagar uncovers one mystery after another. Some items are linked to actual crimes, others to iniquitous acts of human deceit and betrayal. Whether investigating independently or alongside the police, Hagar combines her native shrewdness with woman's intuition to help untangle the webs of wickedness she encounters, that justice might prevail in the end. Though the individual mysteries in Hagar of the Pawn-shop may be read separately, they are so arranged by Fergus Hume as to form a linked set, with characters from earlier stories popping up again later on, one as Hagar's love interest and another as her nemesis.