Eleanor Jones is Playing with Fire

By Amy Doak

Reviewed by Tyrion Perkins

When I heard there was a third book in the Eleanor Jones series, I jumped at the chance to review it. Each book of the series focuses on a different issue: drugs in Eleanor Jones is Not a Murderer (2023); toxic relationships in Eleanor Jones Can’t Keep a Secret (2024), both reviewed in StoryLinks; and in this third book, Eleanor Jones is Playing with Fire (2025)… well, you can guess.

It opens well:

Troy and I haven’t kissed yet, and I’m fairly sure that the house down the road from mine is burning to the ground.

Sorry. That totally sounds like I have my priorities out of whack. Leading with the kiss thing and all. I probably should clarify that I have actually called the fire brigade.

It goes on the describe the fire with its heat, smell, and “hum”, “then every so often, a creak and a heavy groan.” Eleanor can’t resist taking a look and as she stares at the glass blister and bubble, there’s a flash of something purple to the side of the house, but she can’t be sure if she saw anything.

It turns out the owner was in the house and may have been murdered, but Eleanor declares this time she’ll leave it to the police. She concentrates on her English assignment where she’s teamed with the class’s mean girl and other problematic classmates. As a reader, I felt so much focus on schoolwork was an anticlimax after the fire, until Eleanor finds a note in her bag saying, “I know you saw me yesterday… Stay out of it, or else.” There’s only eight people that could have left it, so she investigates, which means more assignment, but soon another fire booms through the small country town, this time with hundreds of witnesses, followed by car thefts.

I love Amy Doak’s writing style with believable teenage characters and a mix of personal drama, including love interest, and plenty of danger. Like the other books in the series, it builds to dramatic climax, this time full of suspense and flames. The only criticisms I have besides a couple of overly eloquent teenage boys, are that in the first book Eleanor built up a large possie of friends and I had trouble remembering who’s who two years later. This wouldn’t be a problem if you read them all in a row.

I don’t know many well-written Australian teen/crime novels with a touch of romance (send me a list if you do). Eleanor Jones is Playing with Fire is a great addition to a fun series. The first two books were shortlisted for a number of awards and this one is equal in quality.

Penguin 2025

Amy Doak