Description
A new instalment in the award-winning and bestselling series about teen detective Eleanor Jones is here . . .
Eleanor Jones is over the rain. The drought has finally broken, and the Cooinda River is rising - fast.
When fellow student Letisha Sabri asks her to prove her boyfriend's death was not an accident or suicide, but rather murder, Eleanor is thrown back into detective mode. The more Eleanor investigates - which she fits in around school, spending time with Troy and planning for the upcoming Deb Ball - the more it seems like Letisha might be right.
As the riverbank starts to spill over and reveal its secrets, it becomes increasingly difficult for Eleanor to keep her head above water.
Review
Eleanor is in Year Eleven and is happily settling into life in the Australian country town of Cooinda, and she is finally able to make some real friends. But her notorious crime solving skills lead a Year Twelve girl, Letisha, to ask for her help to solve the murder of her artistic boyfriend, Xavi. Everyone believes that he died either accidently in the fast-flowing river where he was painting the bridge, or by suicide, but Letisha refuses to believe this.
Between spending time with her boyfriend, Troy, and getting ready for the upcoming Deb with the funny Alfie, Eleanor starts to investigate. She can’t help but ask questions and get herself into perilous positions trying to uncover the truth - and she gets her friends involved in the process. But they are placing themselves in the crosshairs of some nasty characters, whose dodgy dealings are making them large sums of money defrauding the local council. Did Xavi discover their scheme and this somehow this led to his death? Eleanor Jones will surely uncover the truth...
Exploring themes of drought and flood, family prejudices, racism, crime, romance, and bias, this is a wonderful murder-mystery set in a small Australian community. With a clever and tenacious female lead character, and some well-developed friends and friendships, this book will best suit readers aged 13 and above. It will be especially enjoyed by fans of Eleanor's previous adventures and might encourage those who haven't read them yet to seek them out!
Teacher notes prepared by the publisher are available on our website for this title.
