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Looking forward to this one, described as a ballad, the story of what happened to Maid Marion.

A great children's murder mystery full of down to earth characters and family members who are characatures of their names. Good fun and a nice tempo. Features a trans character, a non-conventional family and the topic of whether you should be attached to your given name or not. I'd highly recommend for tweens or young teens.

A great children's murder mystery full of down to earth characters and family members who are characatures of their names. Good fun and a nice tempo. Features a trans character, a non-conventional family and the topic of whether you should be attached to your given name or not. I'd highly recommend for tweens or young teens.

A great children's murder mystery full of down to earth characters and family members who are characatures of their names. Good fun and a nice tempo. Features a trans character and the topic of whether you should be attached to your given name or not. I'd highly recommend for tweens or young teens.

Another book passed to me by the young one. Another murder mystery.

Brilliant writing, and many lovely observations about how children think in this murder mystery by Alex T Smith - his first long form novel. Enjoyed it more that I expected, given that its a children's book. Lots of characters who end up being suspects and plenty to keep you guessing along the way. The setting within an old house gives the chance to develop a really intimate mental map of the murder venue. Touches on themes of individual differences and relationships - both child friendship and child-adult relations. Thoroughly enjoyable. So glad Alex introduced this book to my kids in a meet the author online session!

Really enjoyed this children's book. A proper murder mystery that kept you on your toes to the end.

One of the small humans wanted me to read this. They had an inspirational zoom with the author at school and loved the book. Excellent start, 10 pages in!

Not sure I made it to the end before, must have got bored. Anyway nice to finish it this time and understand it!

Well after picking this up at a book exchange box locally I had very few expectations. I read it over the holidays and in the end, due to a few poor nights sleep, devoured the last third very quickly.

It's not complex literature by any stretch of the imagination, leaving me sometimes wishing for better writing. As a reflection of the innocence of the main character the simple story telling works ok though.

The story follows a brother and sister as they try to escape the grasp of a German-invaded-France. I enjoyed reading about the resistance, sabotage and community spirit that got people through. If you're interested in French geography or canals you might enjoy the route the pair take as they try to get to their Uncle. I was left wanting to find out what happened next for the characters.

I love a good historic fiction and this is a good one. Detailed as if you are there in the room, moving, absorbing.

Phenomenal read, it's just a walk, but it's oh so good. Covers topics of illness, hiking, love, money and general striving to live. So enjoyable, emotional, encouraging.

The two characters have lost everything and their world is falling apart. They start the south west coast path to see how far they get. This is only a short novel but felt like I was in it for the whole of their journey, like time slowed down and I went at their pace for a bit. Moving and interesting at the same time