Quercus Children’s Books ISBN: 9781786540577 £6.99
Experienced adult crime fiction writer Elly Griffiths has proved herself equally adept in this genre for children. This is the second book about the aptly named Justice, daughter of a barrister, now in her second term at Highbury House Boarding School. Despite her father’s parting admonition that she should not break too many school rules this term, Justice is soon on the alert. Why does the new matron appear to know nothing about first aid? Why is the basement out of bounds? How does new Miss Heron know the local countryside so well? Assigned to look after Mr Arthur as her community service project, she wonders if his house, Smugglers’ Lodge, is haunted. Term progresses well: her few friendships deepen; she develops a talent for cross-country running and enjoys several midnight feasts. Then Mr Arthur, who had already set her detecting, is found dead in mysterious circumstances. Justice’s famous sleuthing ability goes into action.
In the tradition of Malory Towers, Hogwarts and Enid Blyton adventures, this is a school tale with a resourceful heroine to savour and wonderful period details. Slightly the outsider, Justice nevertheless speaks her mind, stands up for what she believes and is clever and self-reliant. The plot is well constructed, the clues not too easy and there is a satisfyingly gathering momentum to the book which makes it a real page-turner. Y5 girls will easily pick this up to read, but equally a mixed class would enjoy this in shared reading and it is perfect for exploring the genre.
Sue Barrett