How to Read The New Cut Gang: The Recommended Order
Since the series consists of only two distinct stories, the reading order is incredibly straightforward. You should read them in order of their original publication, which also matches their chronological sequence. While the two stories are self-contained mysteries, reading them in order allows you to see the gang's relationships grow and characters develop naturally.
- Thunderbolt's Waxwork (1994) – The gang takes on their first major case when Thunderbolt's father is accused of producing counterfeit coins.
- The Gas-Fitters' Ball (1995) – A stolen silver trophy leads the gang on a chase involving wax blobs, Swedish matches, and high-society parties.
Understanding the Omnibus Collections and Retitlings
If you are looking to purchase these books today, you are highly likely to find them bound together in a single-volume omnibus. Depending on your region and the edition, this collection goes by two different titles:
- The Adventures of the New Cut Gang (Originally published in 2011 by David Fickling Books) – This is the standard UK title for the combined edition.
- Two Crafty Criminals! and How They Were Captured by the Daring Detectives of the New Cut Gang (Published in 2012 by Alfred A. Knopf / Yearling) – This is the title used for the US editions of the same two-story collection.
Both omnibuses contain the exact same text for Thunderbolt's Waxwork and The Gas-Fitters' Ball. They also feature wonderful, energetic illustrations by Martin Brown, the acclaimed illustrator of the popular Horrible Histories series.
The World of the New Cut Gang: Setting and Tone
The stories are set in Lambeth, South London, in the early 1890s (sources alternate between specifying 1892 and 1894). Unlike the dark, gothic atmosphere of Pullman's other Victorian works, this series leans heavily into lighthearted humor, slapstick comedy, and historical charm. The children use authentic Victorian slang, and editions of the book often include a helpful glossary at the back so readers can translate terms like "shilling" or "peeler." The gang itself is a ragtag group of street-smart kids who prove to be far sharper than the bumbling local police and suspicious adults around them.
Meet the Gang: Key Characters
The New Cut Gang consists of a diverse group of neighborhood kids, each bringing a unique skill or personality to their detective work:
- Benny Kaminsky: The eleven-year-old leader of the gang, constantly dreaming up big, theatrical plans.
- Thunderbolt Dobney: A clever and determined boy whose quick thinking is key to solving the counterfeiting mystery in the first book.
- Bridie Malone: At thirteen, she is the oldest, most sensible, and level-headed member of the group.
- Sharky Bob: A six-year-old boy known for his unbelievable appetite and ability to eat almost anything.
- The Peretti Twins (Angela and Zerlina): Two young girls with angelic faces who use their charm to manipulate others into doing their bidding.
Connections to Other Philip Pullman Books
While the New Cut Gang stories share a Victorian London setting with Pullman's famous Sally Lockhart quartet (which includes The Ruby in the Smoke), there is no narrative crossover or shared characters between them. The tone is the biggest differentiator: while Sally Lockhart deals with darker themes, complex conspiracies, and young adult thrillers, The New Cut Gang is aimed at middle-grade readers (ages 8–12) and focuses on fast-paced, lighthearted fun.