Under construction October 11-13, 2024

Under construction

October 11-13,2024

Peril, intrigue, and hot chocolate! Murder at Wintertide is a cosy middlegrade thriller set on the snow-bound coast of Dorset.

When George Marchman sees a mysterious light falling from a cliff into the dark winter sea, he and his cousin Isla become enveloped in a dangerous plot. Has he witnessed murder? Is someone watching the house? Do the police believe him?

Drawn to the mystery, George and Isla investigate. There are rumours of ancient treasure at the local archeological site and signs of recent digging… But is the treasure worth their lives?

The highlight for me was the sequence on the boat: the screaming gulls, the barking dog, the unfolding disaster… The verb judder in Ch 19 is a great example of the right word doing wonders in the right place. It’s also refreshing to read a children’s adventure with lots of mobile phone use and references to contemporary technology - drones, Netflix, WhatsApp, etc.

I totally fell for the red herring and enjoyed being hoodwinked by Fleur Hitchcock’s clever sleight of hand.

Recommended for readers aged 9-11 who like fossils, archeology, and Christmas. Notable for its portrayal of blended families and the disruption a sibling might feel when the family is expecting a baby.

under construction

Peril, intrigue, and hot chocolate! Murder at Wintertide is a cosy middlegrade thriller set on the snow-bound coast of Dorset.

When George Marchman sees a mysterious light falling from a cliff into the dark winter sea, he and his cousin Isla become enveloped in a dangerous plot. Has he witnessed murder? Is someone watching the house? Do the police believe him?