At The Quack of Dawn
MY THOUGHTS
There is nothing like a good mystery to pull someone out of a reading slump, and when that mystery takes you back to childhood nostalgia, you know it is a winner! With football and exams, the boys hadn’t read a book in a while, and this is exactly what they needed.
When I read Monika Bhatkande’s first novel, In the Woof of Time, it seemed familiar. I realised as someone who had grown up on a steady diet of Enid Blyton mysteries, here was a relatable, Indian version of Famous Five/Secret Seven classic. Honestly, why didn’t she start writing these sooner? Her Book Club Mystery series has five children (and a dog!) solving mysteries and winning hearts.
Her second book, At the Quack of Dawn has the Book Club children enjoying their winter holidays and reading Arthur Conan Doyle mysteries. Until a famous ornithologist, who lives in their society, goes missing! They manage to trace a connection to the famous wetlands in Navi Mumbai — home to migratory birds — but a robust construction lobby, rabid environmentalists, and journalists also have a role to play. Will the children be able to trace the Professor, and does the answer lie in the book they are reading?
I love this book for so many reasons. The mystery and the crime are clever and something you would probably read about in the newspaper. It is current, and the spook factor is high because of its relevance to today’s times. Second, I also love how relatable the book is for our kids. Friends sitting around and munching on snacks at a friend’s place, making plans for the lazy evenings ahead, is on point. Every single character in the book feels like someone you may just run into in your neighbourhood. Monika includes a handy glossary of birds you can spot in your neighbourhood, too!
Auntie Mo has a bit of fun with the names of the characters, too, and it will cause the kids who get it to chuckle. Ornithologist Professor Munia, Journalist Vishesh Patrakar, textile tycoon Mr Darjee, environmentalist Mrs Paryavaran and so on.
This is a great book to start emerging readers on what could be a lifelong love for mysteries. Want to read a clever mystery? Grab your copy today!
If you think your child would enjoy this book, you can buy it here →
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