Rachel Watts has recently moved with her family from their failed farm in the country to a crowded house in Melbourne. She misses the farm and the quiet of the land. But soon, she is drawn into friendship-- and more--with genius-boy James Mycroft who lives down the street. Together the teens research obscure crime-solving strategies and write essays for the "Diogenes" website.
Allusions to Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson abound, especially when the teens discover that their friend, known only as "Homeless Dave," may have been murdered... after he was dead. And, as in the famous story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the key to the crime may lie with a dog that didn't bark.
Nice world-building, excellent characters, and great action sequences (especially in the second half of the book). The romance between Mycroft and Watts bubbles quietly at first and is certain to boil over soon-- the steamy kisses on the page are definitely only the beginning of the physical side to their relationship.
Australian slang may boggle some readers.
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| An Australian "Hills Hoist"sounds more ominous than it actually is. |
This is a great introduction to a fun new series. I look forward to volume 2!
The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.
--R. Silvern
Aarene Storms, youth services librarian
Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS
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