Swept Away
by Natalie Hyde
Price: $14.95
Ages: 9 - 12
Publication Date: April 1, 2023
ISBN: 9781770866898
Format: Trade Paperback
Size: 5.375" x 8"
Subjects:
JUV028000 JUVENILE FICTION / Mysteries & Detective Stories
JUV001000 JUVENILE FICTION / Action & Adventure / General
JUV039060 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Themes / Friendship
Synopsis:
A frog-shaped garden sprinkler, a mismatched pair of ladies’ gloves, and an ugly flower picture made of human hair do not add up to murder. Or do they?
Unlike the rest of the people in her small town, Ruth Mornay does not believe that the death of her sixty-four-year-old neighbour Beatrice was an accident. Word has it that Bea was swept away by the flooded Teeswater River, but Bea was the head of the Teeswater River Embankment Rehabilitation Society, so Ruth knows her friend would never be so careless.
Bea’s godson Saul adds to Ruth’s suspicions when he claims that Bea had premonitions about her murder and has left Ruth a box of clues to figure out what really happened. But what could a frog-shaped sprinkler, a mismatched pair of ladies’ gloves, and an ugly flower picture made of human hair possibly have to do with Bea’s death? That’s the case Saul, Ruth, and Ruth’s wayward pet chicken Dorcas, have to crack.
Reviews
“Swept Away is reminiscent of mysteries with classic girl sleuths and will be a fun read for all ages. Ruth is a great character and a headstrong young sleuth driven by her determination, similar to Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden.”
— Liz Konkel, Readers’ Favorite
“There are many elements of this fast-paced read to enjoy, including an easy-to-read writing style, subtle humour, clever observations, and identifiable, relatable child characters. Saul and Ruth are a good partnership, each having nicely drawn down-to-earth personalities. Similarly, personalities of local residents, some of whom are suspects, are captured deftly.”
— CM: Canadian Review of Materials, highly recommended
“Hyde pens an adventure with a timeless feel about a girl searching for her place in the world. While the chicken hilariously steals many scenes, Ruth emerges as a true protagonist as she breaks into buildings like the church, finding unlikely historical artifacts. Quirky characters and beautiful imagery make the village of Pinkerton feel alive, and hopefully the setting will lend itself to future books. Recommended for fans of summertime adventures, impossible puzzles, and lost histories.”
— Booklist