Reviewed by Debra Williams
14-year-old Ruth is stuck in
her step-grandmother Gertie’s home for the weekend, along with assorted
relatives: her dad, half-cousin Dylan, aunties Bec and Vinka and their
boyfriends (although one boyfriend is in hospital for most of the book.) Without
mobile coverage or internet access, Ruth, a fan of Enola Holmes stories, digs
into old Agatha Christie novels. Dylan shares her interest in crime fiction and
the two have great discussions, that is, when Ruth isn’t eavesdropping on the
adult’s conversations.
Gertie dies suddenly in
mysterious circumstances, and Ruth and Dylan decide to investigate, suspecting
foul play. The further they delve, the more secrets they discover within the
family framework. With a couple of outsiders, it appears there is more than one
person who would have a motive for doing away with good old Gertie. Who is hiding
what? There is certainly an imposter or two. A murder does take place, but as
is typical with crime fiction the reader is thrown
off the scent. The impossibly handsome farmer neighbour is certainly too good
to be true. And what about those boyfriends?
This is an engaging and
entertaining novel for young adults. Ruth is an entirely likeable and
resourceful character, and the plot has plenty of twists and turns to keep the
reader guessing.
Author Kate Emery lives in
Perth. She works as a senior reporter for The West Australian. Her first
novel, titled The Not So Chosen One, was shortlisted for the 2020 Text
Prize, the Aurealis Awards (as Best Fantasy Novel), and was longlisted for the
CBCA Book of the Year Awards for older readers.
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