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Waiting for Murder

by Fleur Hitchcock

Interest age: 11 to 14
Reading age: 11+

Published by Nosy Crow, 2020

  • Adventure

About this book

Dan and his archaeologist mum are staying in a Westcountry village for the summer while she works on an ancient burial site that’s been revealed by the draining of the local reservoir. Dan is a bit bored, but as the reservoir’s water drops, a new secret is revealed: an old car. As it emerges from the water, Dan and his new friend Florence are certain there’s something – or someone – in the front seat. But the next day, when the police pull the car out of the water, it’s empty.

It’s an incredibly hot and sultry summer and the town seems to be keeping a lot of secrets. Was there a body? Did someone remove it overnight? If so, how – and why? Dan and Florence are determined to uncover the truth, but other strange events suggest someone doesn’t want them digging around. And what else will their investigation reveal?

Mystery, murder and intrigue make this a page-turning read, ideal for any readers who love puzzles and crime-solving. It’s also a very atmospheric as, against the backdrop of the heatwave and village gossip, Fleur Hitchcock cleverly builds tension in the storyline and a strong sense of unease to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

About the author

Born in Chobham, by an airfield, and raised in Winchester on the banks of the River Itchen, Fleur Hitchcock grew up as the youngest child of three. When she was eight, she wrote a story about an alien and a jelly. It was called THE ALIEN AND THE JELLY and filled four exercise books. She grew up a little, went away to school near Farnham, studied English in Wales, and, for the next twenty years, sold Applied Art in the city of Bath. When her younger child was seven, she embarked on the Writing for Young People MA at Bath Spa and graduated with a distinction. Now living outside Bath, between parenting and writing, Fleur Hitchcock works with her husband (a toy maker), looks after other people's gardens and grows vegetables.

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