This book took me by surprise. I don’t know what I was
expecting, but it looked interesting and when I started it, there was no
turning back.
I guess the most straightforward way to describe it would be
Historical, Junior, Australian Fiction. But really, what does that tell you?
What can I tell you about it? That it was really compelling,
creepy (the ghost story and set-up works brilliantly), and good fun. It’s set
on an island inspired by Kangaroo Island in the 1930s and captures the rural
Australian community feeling perfectly. The main character, Dorrie, is a
believable, likeable, independently minded girl and is a great protagonist. Her
relationship with her grandfather is succinct, yet genuine, what you might
expect of people who live in a semi isolated part of an island with a small
population. And when her grandfather has an accident and has to spend some time
in hospital, she manages to get back to their house unattended because she wanted
to stay at home, rather than having to stay with cousins. But that’s when everything comes to a head.
The persistent and sinister treasure hunters from the
mainland turn up in the middle of the night, and the presence of the ghost is
felt more than ever. Isn’t that the way? Scary things tend to happen when
you’re alone, miles from the next house, and it’s the middle of the night,
right?
The no-good treasure hunters, the truth about the ghost, the
mystery of it all comes together so well at the end I was reminded of the well
constructed mysteries like The Famous Five.
I can strongly recommend this book. Particularly if you (or
your child) have a leaning towards stories set in times gone past. But more than
that, this book is a well constructed, mysterious ghost story. I really liked
it!
Find it on Goodreads
