Month: October 2024

Reviewed by Yashica, Year 11, Cerdon College Merrylands

Kate Emery’s hilarious and captivating murder mystery, My Family and Other Suspects, involves a murder mystery right under the family’s nose. Book enthusiast, Ruth, resolves to solve a real-life crime that occurs right in her own family. She uses her investigative abilities to find the murderer because of the unexpected death of her ancient GG (great grandmother). Ruth fears finding for a second body whilst harbouring suspicions against every relative. Even though the family member’s murder is a severe crime, Emery manages to inject some humour through her use of casual language. With realistic scenarios like Ruth’s crush with her so-called cousin, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys murder mysteries with a clash of teenage reality. However, it is a slow read with Ruth’s suspicions steadily falling into place. As Ruth is overwhelmed with the stress and fear of the return of the killer, her intuitive thinking as a murder mystery fan helps solve the murder of her GG. Accidents happen more frequently; coincidences raise more questions. The family is left even more perplexed when additional details come to light, and the unexpected reality is revealed. This book reveals a deeper side of family dynamics and how inheritance can lead to conflict amongst relatives. As a reader, I did find the book enjoyable as I adore murder mysteries, however the investigation is the primary subject of this book rather than fast-paced action. 

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Age: 14+

 

Reviewed by Deeya, Year 11, Cerdon College, Merrylands

• Recommendation: 14+ 
• Rating 5 out of 5 
• Recommended to those who like crime fiction with a hint of romance. 

The reappearance of Rachel Price is full of twists and turns that will leave the reader wanting to know more. Bel, the protagonist, is living a normal life with her father, Charlie Price. She is in the midst of filming a documentary about her mother’s disappearance, Rachel Price, when Bel was only about two months old. Suddenly, Rachel reappears, the same Rachel who was missing for sixteen years. People thought she had been either kidnapped, ran away or was murdered. Bel was flabbergasted at the reappearance of her mother. Truthfully, Bel did not like Rachel suddenly appearing in their lives like a storm. Bel wanted to know the truth behind Rachel’s disappearance; she did not truly believe Rachel’s story of her disappearance. Will she find the truth? Will Bel actually know what happened to Rachel? This novel is about familial relationship, a bond between a mother and a daughter where it left me questioning if their relationship will ever rebuild again. I loved reading ‘The reappearance of Rachel Price’, it captivated my mind from the first page and left me wanting to know more. It is full of twists and turns where every character becomes a suspect towards Rachel’s disappearance and Bel has made up her mind to seek the truth. Furthermore, the novel depicts justice and inspires many to seek and fight for the truth. The novel is recommended to those who enjoy reading crime-fiction with a hint or romance. Holly Jackson has created this masterpiece that is a different and unique crime-fiction narrative that many would enjoy to read. I would rate this novel a 5 out of 5 because it was truly a delight to read and discover Rachel’s story and her motherly bond with Bel.