The Vulture of Sommerset

The Vulture of Sommerset by Stephen M. Giles (Pan Macmillan) 

PB RRP $14.99

ISBN 978-0-330-42564-3

Reviewed by Kathryn Duncan

After reading the first book in this series, Silas and the Winterbottoms I was left wanting to read more about the adventures of the Winterbottom children and was very happy delve into their next adventure.

Like the first book, Stephen M. Giles has incorporated mystery, suspense, a little humour and a lot more nastiness in The Vulture of Sommerset.

Now living at Sommerset permanently, the children find themselves searching for Aunt Rosemary after her mysterious disappearance. Milo is now haunted by Uncle Silas, and this leads to some unusual behaviour and questioning by his cousins, Isabella and Adele.  Convinced she is on the right path to solving the mystery, Adele becomes engrossed in the past of Captain Bloom hoping to find the solution.

The children’s character development is not taken much further in this book: we already know what we need to know about them and their personalities, but there is the possibility that the reader will find a little compassion for spoilt Isabella.  On the plus side, we discover other delightful characters from the first book that were sitting in the wings waiting for their opportunity to expose their true nature.

Unlike the first book where I felt the end was rushed, this time I felt it was a little slower. I found some of the events towards the end a little unnecessary for this age group and could have been toned down a little, but it did not detract from the rest of the story.

Stephen M. Giles has delivered an enjoyable sequel, which will hopefully not be the last.