I spotted this proof at the recent FCBG conference and did an audible gasp. You see, I had been spotting brilliant bookseller proof packs and was so keen to get my hands on this book, I didn’t anticipate they would bring some along to the conference.
I was desperate to read this and had also requested it on Netgalley!
And when the conference was finished, I jumped in.
As clever as you would expect from Janice Hallett, who doesn’t present a mystery like other authors. She offers letters, newspaper clippings, emails and they are so well thought through. Her adult mysteries are incredibly popular for their distinct style.
In this case, her first children’s book, Ava and Luke are each living with one of their separated parents and Luke finds a box in the loft and shares the contents with Ava via text messages.
The box is from 1983 when a guide and scout camp is taking place. The land has been purchased for dubious reasons and this is the last camp. Due to this reason, the leaders have asked for each tent group to write about their time. The pair read though the camp diaries and are introduced to the campers and leaders, and also some mysterious strangers lurking in the forest and rumours of a ghost with an almighty shriek.
As they read and uncover clues, they can piece all the clues together in ways the actual guides and scouts could not. There were plenty of clues but the groups weren’t sharing their information with each other and so some things slipped under the radar.
When two bodies are discovered, things turn dangerous for the guides and scouts but we know to never underestimate children.
Ava and Luke are brilliant and get excited to share pages with each other in amidst their own family dramas.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and absolutely loved the ending!
My Shelves Are Full 