My Family and Other Suspects

By Kate Emery
Reviewed by Mia Macrossan

Kate made her debut with the sparkling The Not So Chosen One, a YA fantasy. She has switched genres with My Family and Other Suspects, a seriously funny mystery story full of red herrings, suspicious strangers, long lost relatives and a blossoming romance guaranteed to appeal to young YA readers.

The story is told by Ruth, a curious, ok, let’s be honest, dreadfully nosey (but very well read) 14yr old who is holidaying in her step-grandma’s house in the country, along with her dad and various other relations. These include 15 yr old Dylan, who is sort of her half cousin, the boy she very much crushed on six months ago. Ruth ‘loves murder mysteries, the higher the body count the better’  as well as real-life mysteries, so when her when someone is found dead one morning in suspicious circumstances (killed by a large ancient typewriter) she is all agog to find out whodunit. Fueled by her intimate knowledge of crime and murders gleaned from her voracious inhalation of mystery novels and films, (think Agatha Christie, Nancy Springer, Knives Out et al), Ruth teams up with Dylan (she Sherlock, he Holmes) to uncover the truth.

There are clues for the discerning reader in this complex family whodunit which never ceases to entertain as Ruth gradually reveals all, tantalising and teasing you by turns. There is plenty of snappy dialogue, stunning revelations, and puzzling behaviours. There isn’t much physical action but plenty of witty verbal stouches that keep the reader engrossed, guessing and laughing. The characters are easily recognisable types but charming and memorable, my favourite is possibly vegan Aunt Vinka ‘swathed in a kaftan..mindmelding with her crocheting’.

There is the occasional mild swear word but no violence. Fans of the cosy crime genre will enjoy this cleverly crafted mystery and welcome a new writer to the fold.

Allen & Unwin Children 2024

Kate Emery

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