But it is chickens that are the most popular things in the area.
So are egg sandwiches, a priority at every meal, and in every café,
the town having been founded by an egg farmer.
Over three years ago, Skye’s parents left and never
returned. The reason is still unknown.
Skye has written a mystery novel.
She leaves her manuscript overnight on a shelf in the library, in a corner she frequents.
Returning
at opening time the next day, it is gone. Now she must become the sleuth she
writes about, to track down the thief.
Her first suspect is Bailey, a volunteer who shelves books in the library.
He is ruled out when he admits he took it to read, but it was taken by someone in the cafe, when he left his seat for a minute.The two become a team, determined to uncover the
culprit even if it means spying on the whole town. They find they have a lot in
common and quickly become friends.
Excerpts of Skye’s manuscript are shared with us as
the investigation progresses.
When Skye’s novel crimes are copied, things become
serious.
Who is doing this and what do they hope to achieve?
Everyone is now a suspect. The pair hide, follow, and make lists to compare
information. Finding any real clues becomes almost impossible, for situations
seem one way, but are found to be the total opposite.
Things take a turn for the worse when Skye and
Bailey are accused by the Head of Police, of working together on the crimes to
call attention to themselves for reasons of their own.
When the animals in the Zoo are set free, things come to a head. New Policewoman Penelope is determined to help solve the mystery. This leads to other mysteries surfacing.
Terrific characters and lots of suspense keep the
pages turning in this creative novel full of ups and downs, twists and turns.
Title: Copycat
Author: Anne Hawkins
Publisher: Harper Collins, $16.99
Publication Date: 6 September
2023
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781460763315
For ages: 8+
Type: Middle Grade Fiction