Spark

“The Twitchers of Briddvale have solved crime before,But after this Summer what will Autumn have in store?While Jack is making his way home one night,He encounters a most worrying sight!A cat in distress and what thickens this plot?Upon closer inspection, the cat has been shot!A rush to the vets and the cat gladly saved,But who would resort to something so depraved?That’s it, waiting over, a new case to solve,But what danger and intrigue will this case involve?”When I read Twitch last year, it was one of my 2021: Books to Remember. It left me absolutely enthralled so I was so excited to pick up the second of four outings for the Twitchers and their crime solving ways.Jack is travelling home when he discovers a wounded cat. Bizarrely it seems as though the cat has been shot! Scooping it up he hurries to the vet where he discovers this is not the first wounded cat to frequent the vet this week.Sniffing out a mystery, Jack is desperate to start investigating but soon has his nose put out of joint by Twitch who doesn’t seem to think there is anything to investigate. Especially, since a very rare bird – a Lammergeier – is scheduled to be flying through Briddvale later that week.Jack decides to investigate regardless and soon finds himself in hot water! With floods to contend with and a local stately home with suspicious characters about, Jack soon realises he needs help if he’s to get to the bottom of the mystery.The thing that really captured my interest in the first instalment was the friendship between Twitch and Jack. As they made tentative steps to be friends despite different backgrounds and interests, their friendship journey is again tested and developed in this new adventure. I love the honesty with which their anxieties and insecurities about what the other is thinking is explored as this can be true of anyone when forming new relationships.This particular story is told from Jack’s point of view so has a different perspective to the first story which was told from Twitch’s point of view. This meant that although there was still a lot of references to birds and ornithology, you experienced it through the eyes of an amateur rather than an expert which possibly more children may identify with.I loved the Scooby Doo element of the story with – “I would have got away with it too if it wasn’t for you pesky kids!” – ringing in my ears at the end of the big reveal. But also the enthralling, action packed plot definitely kept you on your toes.A great cast of supporting characters round off the story well with humour and it will be interesting to see how they feature in the future instalments.There are plans for four books in total all taking place in a different season which will be fascinating to see the impact the weather and season has on the habitats and homes of the birds and the wider nature of Briddvale – similarly, it was interesting to highlight the impact of flooding on a rural community – particularly as this is becoming more common place with climate change.For a great mystery, crime caper with some birdwatching to boot, then check out this brilliant series that teaches about friendship, acceptance and resilience.

Both my son and sister met this author and was given a signed book of her latest release witch they really enjoy reading and asked for her other books. They are both so happy.

Brilliant book , my granddaughter loved it then I read it , we both loved it , so much about birds and being out in nature to help with well being of children

Another great book. I enjoyed the fact it didn't focus entirely on twitch but on jack. It was very engaging and added more characters to the story. Really entertaining read. Great for kids that like mysteries and nature.

This was a really enjoyable children's book with so many themes to explore and discover - a real achievement to write something so complex but in such an accessible way for younger readers.Twitch and his friends learn that an endangered bird is expected to arrive in their local area so they make plans to see it but while doing this, Jack uncovers a plot from a wildlife criminal that he is determined to stop. It was a great story of friendship with Twitch being focused on the bird and Jack being focused on the crime, but ultimately finding a way to work together to achieve both goals. The characters were great - both a little different and struggling to fit in at school but you read how their passions eventually convince others to join them and shows how liking something different to the majority makes you interesting.Really well written with some lovely nature details, a very enjoyable book!