Albert Street Books, 2025. ISBN: 9781761181016. (Age:4 - 8 years) Highly recommended.
Children love books about animals and dogs are often top of the list. Dogs with Jobs written and illustrated by Max Hamilton is a wonderful read that shows many dogs in a new light. Career canines are not all that well known although some education centres may have a well-being or companion dog. Assisted dogs for hearing and sight impaired persons are possibly familiar but this newly released picture book thoughtfully introduces other career dogs to younger readers.
The gorgeous cover of the dogs with their name tags and where applicable wearing the necessary dog work wear is the perfect hook. The endpapers give a glimpse into aspects of the dogs’ careers and when paired with the title would provide a starting point for what the text might be about.
The story begins with a general introduction to dogs as pets and then moves on to introducing each dog and their career. Some of the fourteen dogs included are Albie the Australian Shepherd who stands guard at the Sydney Opera House to stop seagulls from stealing people’s food from their plates. Bazz the Black Labrador who is cleverly able to sniff out a disease that may infect beehives. Eba is a mixed breed who’s main job is to sniff out whale poo so scientists are able to monitor the health of orca whales. Bear is an Australian Koolie that can detect koalas who may need human help.
Each dog mentioned in the book has a double page spread with delightful full page colour illustrations sharing the dog’s story and showcasing the environment they work in. This unique and engaging book would be a wonderful gift for a canine-loving child or a great resource for early years and primary classrooms and libraries.
Themes Dogs, Careers, Dedication.
Kathryn Beilby
Frog: A Story of Lfe on Earth by Isabel Thomas and Daniel Egneus
The striking blue/green cover emblazoned with gold lettering, of new release, Frog: A Story of Life on Earth is the precursor to the visual delight you will experience as you read through this engaging book.
As a young child observes tadpole eggs in a pond they begin to wonder “If frogs come from eggs, and eggs come from frogs, where did the first frog come from?” From this deep thinking the book takes the reader on a journey back to the beginning of time. It is hard to imagine that everything we know today came from one tiny speck that expanded and exploded in a BIG BANG which then became the universe. Over time atoms formed as the universe cooled and smashed together to form bigger atoms that exploded and from stars, stardust formed many of what we know now: the sun, planets, moons, mountains, forest… but no frogs yet.
After Earth was formed, chemicals rearranged themselves to form a cell which could copy itself over and over again. This began the formation of the first living things we today recognise as sea creatures. Those sea creatures began to evolve and change, some moving onto the land to become what we now call amphibians. Over millions of years ‘adapting, changing and rearranging life on Earth’, these amphibians are the ancestors of every animal with four legs. Out of this, the humble frog was formed. It has outlasted dinosaurs and thrives where land meets water, in tropical areas, swamps and even deserts. A truly amazing creature.
This powerful story is told in accessible well-spaced text carefully placed on every page and surrounded by vibrant detailed illustrations. This is a book that may encourage children to reflect and ponder over the past especially about where life came from. A wonderful resource for a home, school or public library.
Themes Universe, Earth, Science, Nature, Amphibians, Frogs, Life Cycle.
If you like perspicacity, mixed with sagacity and simplicity, theocracy and humanity, plus word play and ideas threaded through large and small apertures … then this is for you! Matthew McConnaughey surprises readers who do not know of his personal talents and have just seen him on screen using others’ words and being directed to perform - in this book of his own conjuring, he reveals a considerable skill in playing poetically with profound ideas and using rhythm and emotion to stimulate thinking. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this work. For those who are afraid of the ‘prayers’, they are merely poetic expressions of an individual willing to look up, as well as in, to explore the world in which he lives and has his being. They present a willingness to shy away from fame and self-centredness and explore a bigger viewpoint. That doesn’t stop him from the occasional excursion into the vernacular … not every word and idea is soft.
I am willing to say that you will rediscover poetry and resonate with some or all of McConnaughey’s musings in this book and will be impressed by the wordplay, aphorisms and thought gymnastics that he employs, even if you don’t always agree with him. This is a book of poetry to stimulate thought and to ponder over, and occasionallyto be impressed with the sparkle of an idea that is spotlighted in a flicker of the flame of wisdom and word. Don't be put off by his movie fame … he is a thinker and a poet, a philosopher, and a man whose faith impacts his life journey.
What would you do if, like the mayfly, you only lived for one day? Would you let the pessimism of the frog who tells you that "the world will eat you up" send you scurrying to the shelter of the pond to spend your life in safety (assuming the frog isn't the 'world' that eats you), or do you put on your party hat and decide to make the most of it regardless?
This is one of those books in which text and illustration are so closely woven that one doesn't work without the other. Printed so that you have to turn it around to read it, each double page spread celebrates a little girl's journey through life as she sets out on this "map with no set destination." Watched over by her grandparents, and through clever wordplay that Speechley has integrated in the names of the buildings we follow June as she follows the mayfly's discovery of the city and her own familiar paths of A1 Daycare, Daylight Primary, Day Street High School, Juan Dei University, jobs, travel, as well as surprises around unexpected corners, celebrating and enjoying the time that is given her because every moment is precious.
Like the mayfly who has such limited time (and is aware of that) but who is undeterred by the frog's prophecy and determined to make the most of the time it has, June, too, is determined to make the most of the time she has, also undeterred by negativity, and not intimidated by circumstance or surroundings. Who, among us, would have the courage to choose between The Daily Grind, Day Job Corporation, and Dream Job Ltd, especially if Dream Job is as limited as its name implies?
This is a story of optimism, positivity and belief that introduces young readers to the passage of time - an abstract concept that is tricky for little ones - but can also encourage deep conversations with those who are older. Recent news bulletins in which significant world leaders have said their countries "are preparing for war" sent shivers down my spine, so how must our young tweens and teens be feeling? If it's not the power-brokers sending the world to hell in a handbasket, then the planet is doomed from an environmental perspective anyway so perhaps this is an opportune time to ponder if we only have one day, do we spend it in despair or delight? What does the Latin phrase Carpe Diem mean?
Definitely one to add to the mindfulness curriculum for all ages to initiate discussion and perhaps inspire a different mindset, maybe even a more positive lifetime choice. A story time kit is available.
Molly Oldfield, the host of the UK weekly podcast, ‘Everything Under the Sun’ and author of a previously published book with the same name has complied a second compendium of 366 questions which her young listeners have sent in from around the world including Australia.
Like the first book in the series, this bookbegins with a note for the reader where it is explained that some of replies to the questions are factual while others may be the author’s or a contributor’s opinions. These contributors include experts in their fields, artists, poets and thinkers. This is followed by some information about Molly Oldfield and then the contents page where each chapter is a month of the year. Each day of the year poses a different question with a thoughtful answer provided.
The very first question for January 1 in the book is Where is the happiest place in the world? The answer in some detail explains that Finland came out as the winner measuring Gross Domestic Product (GDP) but the author also mentions Bhutan which measures gross domestic happiness. Two questions in February which may encourage both children and adults deeper thinking are: Why do bad things exist? and Why do we have curse words? For some younger readers no book is ever complete without the token poo reference! In this case there are two poo questions: Why do monkeys throw poo? and How do you make electricity out of poo? Throughout the book accompanying each question are colourful illustrations by a number of artists. These visual images support the text and add to the understanding of the answer given.
In the final pages are thank yous to the contributors, artists and children. As well Molly encourages children to keep asking questions and maybe visiting a library to find answers starting with the librarian and then searching in books. This book would be a wonderful classroom or home-schooling resource.
Themes Questions & Answers, Worldwide Topics.
Kathryn Beilby
Ningaloo: Australia's Wild Wonder by Tim Winton. Illus. by Cindy Lane
Renowned author and conservationist Tim Winton has written his second picture book in more than 20 years and it is a magnificent non-fiction text which will have universal appeal to both children and adults alike. Ningaloo: Australia's Wild Wonder is a visual treasure with illustrator Cindy Lane completing over thirty-one impressive spreads containing hundreds of detailed hand painted animals and birds that exist in the three vital ecosystems that make up this stunning region.
Called Nyinggulu by the First Peoples of the region; the Baiyungu, West Thalanji and Yinigurtura peoples, Ningaloo Reef is located off the coast in the north of Western Australia. It consists of three interconnected ecosystems: the Ningaloo Reef, the Cape Range and the Exmouth Gulf. Because of the unique weather system there is a diverse range of plants and animals that call this place home, and allow this remarkable environment to be recognised as one of the last wild places on Earth.
Each double page spread is rich in information accessibly placed amongst glorious landscapes and detailed illustrations to engage the reader with quick pops of information and ‘Did You Know? facts. Important habitats or communities that exist in the three ecosystems include the mangrove community at high and low tide, the karst community, seagrass community, intertidal community and the fossil reef community. All are vital to the interconnectedness of this exceptional environment. The marine life and land animals that frequent and exist in each of the habitats are beautifully illustrated and accompanied by clearly labelled information boxes.
The final pages share the story of the First Peoples and their interaction with the area as well as the devastating effects of colonisation. There is vital information about the protection of Ningaloo and how readers can take further action. Set out in a traditional non-fiction manner with a contents page at the beginning and glossary and index at the end, this magnificent hardcover 72 page publication is deserving of a place in all home, school and public libraries.
For your own personal interest, Episode 223 of Your Kids Next Read Podcast with Allison Tait and Megan Daley - Your Kid's Next Read Podcast features an excellent interview with Tim Winton talking about the story behind Ningaloo: Australia's Wild Wonder, how the book came about and his hope for the new generation of children who will learn to protect this wondrous site.
Themes Marine Habitats, Conservation, First Nation Peoples, Marine Life, History, Biodiversity, Ecosystems, World Heritage Sites, National parks.
Kathryn Beilby
Guinness World Records 2026
Guinness World Records, 2025. ISBN: 9781913484835. (Age:8+) Highly recommended.
The 2026 Guinness World Record Book is a celebration of the cheeriest colour - yellow. The cover is all yellow and the endpapers feature all shades of yellow in record-breaking achievements: human, non-human, living and non-living. In fact, the largest bath toy is a yellow rubber duck that stands at 32m tall and 40m long made by a Dutch artist. This rubber duck holds pride of place on the first page of this 2026 edition with page 4 & 5 highlighting other favourite yellow record breakers including the largest gold sculpture, the Golden Buddha made from 5.5tonnes of solid gold and the most mustard eaten from a tube in 30 seconds recorded by Andre Ortloff (DEU) who drank 416g.
In this year’s edition are 2,987 records from 40,842 applications. On the Editor’s letter page is the amazing achievement of Australian swimmer Alexa Leary who broke her own 100m freestyle swim (S9 Female) winning her race in a time of 59.22 at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Alexa’s story is incredible and she deserves this wonderful recognition. Other icons in this edition include Dolly Parton, Usain Bolt and the Hempleman-Adams family who have adventured all over the world in exploits such as air ballooning, mountaineering and polar exploration.
The contents page lists nine different sections comprising of Arts & Crafts, Kids Zone, Screen Time, Human Beings, Science & Engineering, Fantastic Facts, Society, Sports and Extreme Nature. Under each section are numerous headings with the Extreme Nature section broken up into the following: largest, smallest, fastest, oldest, deadliest, toughest, most and round up. The visual images of all manner of animals in this section are quite stunning.
Every year the Guinness World Record book continues to provide readers with a treasure trove of records to learn about and ponder over.
Themes Worldwide Record-breaking Achievements.
Kathryn Beilby
There's a Prawn in Parliament House by Annabel Crabb. Illus. by First Dog on the Moon
Allen & Unwin, 2025. ISBN: 9781760637750. (Age:10+) Highly recommended.
Annabel Crabb, well-known political writer and commentator has cleverly created an all-in-one book for school aged readers to learn about democracy in Australia, its history, elections, and the day-to-day workings of the Federal Government and Parliament House. What can often be a ‘dry’ and challenging topic of learning for upper primary and lower secondary students, this handy go-to read narrated by Shawn the Prawn, a 350 million-year-old tiny coral fossil found in the floor of the grand Marble Foyer, will provide a humorous and enlightening look our system of democracy.
The Contents pages clearly set out each of the seven chapters with the following headings:
1. Welcome to Parliament House 2. How Did We Get Here? 3. The Constitution 4. Why do We Vote? 5. Ministers and Departments 6. The Press and Parliament House 7. Making Laws
Each chapter has a wealth of accessible information and the use of bold font to empathise points, highlighted text, segment blocks, creative images by cartoonist First Dog on the Moon, maps, tables and the use of humour allow the reader to engage with the information.
The witty opening Introduction by Shawn the Prawn sets the tone for the book perfectly and will hopefully provide the hook for readers to engage with the wealth of information. In the final pages are a number of valuable sections including a final word from Shawn, Glossary, What to Spot in Parliament House, Timeline of Australian Prime Ministers, Sources, Further Reading, Acknowledgements, About the Creators and a very detailed index.
The more I delved deeper into this book, the more I realised as an adult my knowledge of all things democracy related is rather sparse! As well as students, this is also a valuable book for adults. The detailed teacher notes provided by A&U are an excellent resource to support students and their learning.
If you love getting lost in a book, then this is a book you will love! In this, the second book in The 113th Assistant Librarian series, Oliver Wormwood must again use all of his librarian talents to fend off invading crab attacks, and the infiltration of warped versions of donated books. It is the formidable local politician though that presents the biggest risk as her onslaught might even lead to war! An almost magical tome that enables the handler to literally get lost in its pages provides opportunity to bypass her attack, but it comes with great risk to Oliver and the winsome Agatha (his library friend and colleague). Can they survive long enough to protect their community from the danger of lies and error? Librarians are good at finding truth and directing away from ‘wrong books’, but Oliver is still very young … can he solve a mystery that puts lives at risk?
This is a mystery adventure full of whimsy and risky moments. Young readers aged 9-14 will find joy in being lost in its pages. It does assume a reasonable reading skill and enjoyment of fantasy and references to library organisation and some historical, geographical or scientific detail may stretch some younger readers, but will thrill adept readers. This is the kind of book that is unique in its setting and yet has the hallmarks of a Harry Potter-style story where magic and reality coalesce and collide and create intriguing scenarios where young characters must perform tasks that put them outside their comfort zone, but in doing so discover new strengths. I loved the first book in this series, and the second is equally enthralling.
Themes Libraries, fantasy, conflict, adventure.
Carolyn Hull
I'm Very Busy: A (Nearly Forgotten) Birthday Book by Oliver Jeffers
Fans of Oliver Jeffers many books will be delighted with another picture book that will have readers rejoicing in the way that friends are able to fix their mistakes. It is Bridget’s birthday and she thought that it would be a lovely day to spend with friends, but when she approached Royal, he said he had ‘people to see and places to be.’ Rodney had ‘to see a man about a dog’, while Regis was washing his hair. Penelope was up to her eyes digging a hole and Pearl had ’a list of things to write and then cross off!’ But Penelope heard Bridget when she said she would have to blow out her birthday candles by herself and gradually each of her friends realise that they had forgotten her birthday and come together to give her a party.
Jeffers’ illustrations are wonderful. Each of the children are tinted in individual colours ranging from green, pink, blue, lilac, green and orange and each have individual hairstyles and expressions. There are lots of little humorous details, like Regis who said he was going to wash his hair but is bald and Rodney who is walking an invisible dog. These will have the reader smiling and the party at the end is a joyous way for the friends to cover up their forgetfulness and make Bridget very happy by showing how they care.
This is a lovely story of friendship and second chances and would be well worth giving as a gift or having in a library collection.
Themes Birthdays, Friendship, Second chances.
Pat Pledger
Millie Mak makes her mark by Alice Pung and Sher Rill Ng
Allen & Unwin, 2025. ISBN: 9781460767009. (Age:10-12)
Millie Mak makes her mark is the final title in the series about Millie Mak a pre-teenager and a clever maker and problem-solver. This final book is divided into two stories. Each story is followed by step-by step instructions for making the crafty projects that Millie and her friends made in the previous story. The central female protagonist Millie Mak is an overall wonderful girl who not only creates useful, environmentally friendly things by redesigning, reusing and recycling but who also is a very good and wise friend.
Alice Pung (OAM)an award winning Melbourne-based author has in Millie Mak makes her mark (as in her other works) written a story which is sensitive and inclusive about race, culture, various family structures and financial struggle. The characters in the series are representative of a variety of situations especially the experience of the new arrival to Australia. Friendship and group endeavour seems to be the solution to many a social problem and there is much wisdom displayed especially from Ahma (grandma) who notably was very plain speaking when Veesa complained about having to work for her mother (who was a low paid, fast-fashion seamstress). "Girls like you do not have the luxury of protest," Ahma stated. "Not if you want to be educated...how many millions of girls in the world would love even just a week of that Swedish girl's (Greta Thunberg) education?" The friendships created amongst families of disparate backgrounds through the girls' efforts is heart-warming.
Millie Mak makes her mark, like the rest of the series, is really a compilation of small adventures rather than a rich narrative. Reminiscent of the Milly Molly Mandy series (Joyce Lankester Brisley), Millie Mak is like an older Milly Molly Mandy. Millie Mak herself is inspired by the adventures of Enid Blyton's The Famous Five and The Secret Seven and the Narnia children. The chapters are episodic rather than following the structural narrative of a novel. Little stories like the development of a small project for dying old material to make a quilt for Grandad who has had a stroke are procedural and written using simple every day retrievable vocabulary. After the girls have produced a project and solved a few social problems along the way the text is followed by procedures for activities including making dye, learning how to sew using different stitches and making salt-dough ornaments and hand-towel teddies.
Mille Mak and her friends help each other throughout with social and emotional problems and even with worrying menstruation issues. This is all very useful for the pre-teenage cohort of readers. Quite obviously the Millie Mak series is for girls. While seemingly a simple story about girls working together and starting a business, there are many underlying themes. Reducing our environmental footprint, especially in terms of the fashion industry is paramount. Of importance too is being proactive, working cooperatively in a team, taking responsibility and thinking of the other. Pung encourages thinking about what causes people to behave in particular ways and not taking people at face value but rather knowing that each person carries a backstory.
Millie Mak makes her mark is published by HarperCollins Publishers Australia and New Zealand in textured hardback form with a delightful softly shaded cover and matching patchwork end papers. The cover artist is Sher Rill Ng a Melbourne-based illustrator. Children would be familiar with Ng's style through some of her middle grade bookcovers including The Rogues by Lian Tanner.
Millie Mak makes her mark will be well-received by Primary Years to younger Middle Years readers, especially those who love the idea of forming clubs and those who are interested in creative activities and opportunities to start little businesses like stalls to run at places including markets, school fairs and church fetes. Children who thrive on organising and entrepreneurial ventures will find inspiration in Millie Mak.
Themes Fast-fashion environmental sustainability, Friendship, Intercultural understanding, Making and creating, Responsibility, Project-based learning.
Wendy Jeffrey
Rowley Jefferson's awesome friendly spooky stories by Jeff Kinney
Jeff Kinney, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of the Diary of a wimpy kid series and the Awesome friendly kid series and one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World, needs no introduction to children. His books are well thumbed and borrowed heavily in school libraries and frequently make the best-seller lists. Children really get a laugh out of them. They are thoroughly enjoyed. And why? Because Jeff Kinney's main characters are wimpy and gawky and gormless, sometimes the butt of jokes and targets for bullies but always cheerful and full of ideas. Do those ideas always work? No! Often these characters (Greg Heffley in Diary of a wimpy kid and Rowley Jefferson in Awesome friendly kid) make terrible plans and decisions which lead them into terrible trouble and really tricky situations where decisions have to be made and problems have to be solved. One way or the other, solutions are found, lessons are learnt and doing the right thing over the wrong wins out in the end. The bite-sized stories are full of adventure and action packed. Children are held in thrall as Greg and Rowley face huge problems (sometimes caused by themselves) and as they try to find solutions. Most of the time these situations are laugh-out-loud funny and place the boys into moral dilemmas. These books are great teaching tools and loved especially by boys.
The Awesome friendly kid series (of which Rowley Jefferson's awesome friendly spooky stories is a special edition) is loved because of the story lines but also because of the format. These books are hybrid combinations of continuous text and graphic novel. Told in the first narrative voice of Rowley the stories have an immediacy. Writing on lined paper is a particular characteristic and gives the reader the feeling that Rowley is writing directly into his school exercise book speaking to the reader. Rowley Jefferson's awesome friendly spooky stories, being a special edition, has a host of special features. The cover features orange foil details (very Halloween appropriate) and the edge pages are zombie themed with black, orange and white stencilled edges. This adds reading interest because the pictures develop as you read (something akin to a flipbook). Jeff Kinney also designed the book. At the start the 14 spooky stories and their page numbers are listed so the reader can dive in and choose whatever story they want. There's a "READERS BEWARE!" page at the start and to bookend a "WELL I WARNED YOU". The text, which is in a big font that looks like a child's printing, is interspersed and broken up regularly (almost every paragraph) and randomly with many, many cartoon style pictures (at least one per page). This means that the text is given immediate visual support.
The clue to the stories is found in the title. Rowley Jefferson's awesome friendly spooky stories are awesome, friendly and spooky. There are many ghoulish characters who mess up the whole community and Rowley. The stories are funny, terrifying and twisted and all come from Rowley Jefferson's imagination. Out ready for Halloween, this book is a lot of fun.
Though enjoyed by all, these book series by Jeff Kinney are also wonderful stepping stones/bridging novels for reluctant Primary Years readers and for those entering the Middle Years of schooling. Contemporary issues for pre-teens and teens are dealt with with a sure and steady guiding hand and the book design makes the stories retrievable whilst not dumbing down either the text or the message behind it. Smart and hilarious!
Martha Mumford and Cherie Zamazing, authors of We’re going to a birthday party,We’re going on a sleigh ride, and We’re looking for the perfect hug return with another romp that is perfect for Halloween. In a lift-the-flap board book five bunnies, all dressed ready for Halloween with hats, cloaks, pumpkins and treats, set out to find the ghosts and invite the reader to join the fun hunt.
We’re going on a ghost hunt Come and join the fun! Can you find them all? Yes! Run, run, run!
Then the reader can lift the flaps and find what is underneath. Is there a ghost or a little animal? As the four rabbits run through the night they encounter little bats, (Swoosh, dive, EEP!), snowy owls, (Don’t get a fright!(, warty toads, (Ribbet, ribbet, leap!), a witch’s cat and the little mouse and finally they run home after getting a fright in the witch’s house. The story flows beautifully with lots of repetition, which adds to the fun of the story as readers can repeat the refrains. Beginner readers will have fun predicting what comes next and working out the new vocabulary.
The cute illustrations give the reader the feeling of the mysterious night that the little rabbits are running through but are not too frightening for the younger reader. I loved the little mouse that often appeared and enjoyed looking for it on the different pages, also smiling at the humorous activities that the rabbits got up to. And the drawings of the ghosts are a treat, especially on the final page where they are happily gathered around a cauldron filled with toffee apples.
A great read-aloud, packed with fun for Halloween, this is certain to be a book that young children will ask to be read again and again.
Themes Halloween, Ghosts.
Pat Pledger
Bear to the Rescue by Romane Cristescu & Nic Gill. Illus. by Sylvia Morris
Bear is a rambunctious and energetic pet. Once full grown, he does not settle in the average family home as an obedient and calm pet and is moved from place to place. Bear though is destined for a more challenging and rewarding life. He is chosen to become a conservation rescue detection dog and undergoes intensive training in becoming familiar with koala smells. When devastating bushfires roar through an area where koalas were inhabiting, Bear is called in to help locate them. Wearing special foot pads to protect his paws, Bear is instrumental in saving many of the local koala species and receives many awards in recognition of his great service.
Bear’s story is based on the true story of Bear, an Australian Koolie, which is a working dog breed. Once these dogs move on from the cute puppy stage they might not always be a good fit as a family pet. Fortunately for Bear, he was chosen to be a koala-dog trainee and excelled at locating koalas. His skills in finding many distressed, burnt and undernourished koalas in the aftermath of the Black Summer bushfires of 2019-2020 saved many from perishing.
Author Romane Cristescu worked with Bear and has told his unique story in an appealing and beautifully illustrated picture book. The colourful and engaging full page illustrations and the perfectly positioned text allow readers to relate to the story and appreciate how Bear became a hero. A very entertaining read with more about the ‘real’ Bear, a table of comparisons and some Did You Know? facts in the final pages.
Although I hadn’t read any of the books in the Jimmy Perez series for many years, I decided to pick up The killing stones after watching Shetland the TV series and thoroughly enjoying books in Cleeve’s other series (Two Rivers and Vera Stanhope Jimmy has moved away from Shetland and is living in Orkney with his partner Willow Reeves and son James. When his close friend Archie Stout is reported missing on the island of Westray, Perez goes in search of him and discovers his body on an archaeological dig with the weapon, a Neolithic stone, lying beside him. Jimmy and Willow are quickly drawn into the investigation, with Willow taking the lead as Jimmy is close to the family. Rumours are rife with tales of Archie’s relationship with an artist on the island and his preoccupation with a personal worry. The ancient murder weapon also raises questions about a professor who has built his reputation around the archaeology of the islands and a schoolteacher who is writing a book for children about Orkney. As Jimmy and Willow delve into the mystery there are many threads to follow and more murders to solve.
The book opens with a map of Westray and one of the Orkney Islands which give the reader a grasp of the stunning location of the Orkney islands, the main towns and the likely ferry routes. These add an understanding of the setting which Cleeves is so good at describing, including the wonderful standing stones, the Neolithic stones with the runes inscribed on them, the cold water of the seas surrounding the islands and the life of the islanders.
I found that it was easy to relate to the characters in The killing stones. Although I was unaware of the background to Willow and Jimmy’s relationship and may go back to some of the earlier novels to find out about it, I was able to read The killing stones as a stand-alone, relating to their committed working and personal relationship.
The killing stones was a gripping mystery, with many suspects and twisty leads, and kept me reading to the end, not knowing who committed the murders. I look forward to more books starring Jimmy and Willow.
