by Sharna Jackson
Paperback, £8.99
Another excellent middle grade mystery from the author of High Rise. Margot is (maybe) about to start a new school in London, moving from Luton to live with her mum. She and her two friends are spending a weekend at the Notting Hill Carnival, in her (maybe) new home. The maybes are part of the plot.
But the main driver is the sudden death of her mum’s new boyfriend at the opening of a new exhibition at his gallery. Was it a natural death? Margot and her friends must investigate.
Jackson provides a satisfying mystery and sensitive exploration of moving between parents (particularly when one parent may have an alcohol addiction). The evocation of carnival is vivid and immersive. I enjoyed the story, and didn’t guess the outcome till the very end.
Riverside favourite Sharna Jackson has shown her talent for children’s non-fiction with Black Artists Shaping the World. I’m looking forward to whatever this talented writer is going to do next.
Review by Bethan