[A] thoughtful exploration of the past, of memory, growing up and growing into the future. * Books for Keeps *
Dec's mother apparently left without saying goodbye, driving off into the night, six years before and his father has erased her from his life and taken on a new house while leaving the old one like a museum on the hill above them. When there is a burglary at the old house and the strange death of the burglar, all the mysteries of the past re-emerge for Dec, making him review his memories as he finds himself seemingly baulked by others' refusal to let him know what happened. Memories of his mother are coloured by his fondness for her and the liveliness of her manner, her clothes and her games. His father, by contrast, seems grey and withdrawn. Fascinatingly, the memories, re-seen and relived by the older Dec, come with new interpretations and possibilities to make the past a shifting, doubtful arena for understanding. What happened to his mother and the truth of the burglar's death are mysteries to be solved. Wynne-Jones' gift here is to make memory itself a tangible subject for a mystery novel which is always actively exciting and thought-provokingly different like the wonderful gallery of characters, especially Vivien, who provide a wonderful oddity to the thoughtful exploration of the past, of memory, growing up and growing into the future. * Books for Keeps *
A thought-provoking and gripping read for teenagers. * School Librarian Journal *
This is a well-paced story, following Dec through the adventure which follows from his discovery in the old house as well as his worries about his mother's disappearance and his father's suspicious behaviour. The mystery centres on the old house and intermittent memories that haunt Dec about the time when his mother was there. Dec's small sister brings out a warm side to Dec, and his friendship with equally clever boys at school, one of whom helps him to work through his concerns and feelings, makes this book a rewarding read, not least in showing that a bright, sensitive teenager can be a hero. This book could work very well for class reading. It should appeal to boys and girls, has a mystery element which keeps the reader's interest and explores family relationships very clearly. The ending satisfies all elements of the story. It is a first-class read. * www.writeaway.org.uk *
Tim Wynne-Jones' previous work has been described as 'psychological drama' and this is no exception. A cast of memorable and unusual characters from Dec's little sister Sunny through his classmates at school to his friends Ezra and Vivien and his stepmother-in-waiting Birdie allow us to see Dec from different perspectives and we really care about the outcome. This is a thought-provoking and gripping read for teenagers, and well worth promoting. * Elspeth S. Scott, School Librarian Journal *
