Tag: Jennifer Walsh

Crooked Leg Road by Jennifer Walsh

In the warmth of the late afternoon, in the dark green water that smelled strongly of salt and sea-life, David was swimming. He gave himself up to the hypnotic rhythm: a breath on one side, his ears filled with children shrieking, sudden splashes, urgent cries of birds; then turning his face into the water, where all he could hear was a rhythmic pounding like the sound of his own blood coursing through his body. Again and again, until he realised he’d covered several laps without being aware of it.

He wondered if you could doze off while swimming and swim on in your sleep.

In the warmth of the late afternoon, in the dark green water that smelled strongly of salt and sea-life, David was swimming. He gave himself up to the hypnotic rhythm: a breath on one side, his ears filled with children shrieking, sudden splashes, urgent cries of birds; then turning his face into the water, where all he could hear was a rhythmic pounding like the sound of his own blood coursing through his body. Again and again, until he realised he’d covered several laps without being aware of it.

He wondered if you could doze off while swimming and swim on in your sleep.

David and his friends Kitty, Andrea and Martin have enjoyed a carefree summer but that’s coming to an end. School brings familiarity for some and changes for others and then there’s the new boy Skender. The hint that something is wrong begins when Andrea surprises some men in the lane behind David’s house. Then a couple of days later, David vanishes. Coincidence or is something more sinister going on? The friends can find no obvious answers and as time passes, their worries escalate. When there is still no clue of David’s whereabouts some time later, they decide to do their own investigating.

Crooked Leg Road is a thrilling mystery from the author of ‘The Tunnels of Tarcoola’ and features the same ensemble cast. Not that it is necessary to have read ‘The Tunnels of Tarcoola’ to enjoy this new novel. The action is set in a suburb by the sea in Sydney but could equally have been set in any seaside town. These are independent, clear-thinking young people navigating their way through school and after-school situations with a believable mix of confidence and reticence. A variety of cultures and family dynamics reflect modern Australian suburbia. There are themes of family, safety and culture wrapped up here in a page-turning mystery. Recommended for upper-primary readers.

 

Crooked Leg Road by Jennifer Walsh Allen & Unwin 2014 ISBN: 9781743316931

Tunnels of Tarcoola by Jennifer Walsh

When freakish weather alters the beach temporarily, Martin, his sister Kitty and their friends Andrea and David discover a tunnel. But this is just the beginning of their discoveries

‘Ouch!’ Martin O’Brien threw his arms over his head to ward off a shower of stones as his sister slithered down the low cliff-face after him.

‘Stop, Kitty. Wait!’ But before he could get out of the way she had cannoned into him and they had landed in an untidy pile on the narrow beach.

‘Where’ve you been?’ said Andrea, scrambling over the rocks to join them. ‘You said you’d come straight after school.’ There was sand in the damp hair, dyed red and black, that dangled over her forehead.

When freakish weather alters the beach temporarily Martin, his sister Kitty and their friends Andrea and David discover a tunnel. But this is just the beginning of their discoveries. As they explore more tunnels and connections to Tarcoola, an old abandoned house, they begin to notice other things. The history they uncover has links to current events in their community. Suddenly, what seemed like a game becomes something much more serious. And dangerous. Along the way, friendships are undone, made and tested. And apparently disparate events begin, like tunnels, to reveal connections.

The Tunnels of Tarcoola is an action-packed contemporary novel with connections to the past, set in Sydney. An unusual tidal event has exposed a cave not seen in recent history. Curiosity provides the impetus for what initially seems like just a fun day on the beach, but quickly becomes something much more sinister. Each of the four main characters has an important role to play in unravelling a mystery which links future, present and past. Themes include family and friendship relationships, culture and class, lies and secrets. As is often the case, it is secrets that cause the biggest trouble, create the biggest dangers. At heart this is a gripping mystery adventure, ideal for upper primary readers. It’s also a fascinating introduction to different times, different ways of living.

The Tunnels of Tarcoola
The Tunnels of Tarcoola, Jennifer Walsh

Allen & Unwin 2012

ISBN: 9781742376752

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com