Just So Stories

Penguin Australia

July 2026

• ISBN: 9781761355653
• Imprint: Penguin
• RRP: $17.99

Knowing there was a brand new Felice Arena mystery/adventure on the way has been a very exciting prospect and thus, when the ARC arrived two days ago, I pounced on it immediately and I have loved every word of it!

For one thing, I have always had a great interest in Roman history [and that’s not just my Monty Python fan side] so any book that not only references it but includes factual historical content is a zinger for me. But this one also has the adrenaline rush that Felice always manages to inject into his middle-grade adventures along with plentiful red herrings and quirky characters.

Jake is, quite naturally, in an emotionally bereft state after losing his father in a motorway accident, especially as he feels guilty about it. He’s staying with his grandmother in the country for a while to reset basically. It’s a shock one night to wake and discover a couple of heavies digging up some of his Nan’s land. When he goes to investigate, he realises they are robbing an ancient Roman site, looting any treasure they find. His attempts to stop them result in him being injured and threatened with worse if he tells what he’s seen. But things unravel without his reporting and soon a police investigation, as well as a full-on archaeological dig are in place.

‘Nighthawks’ are the low-lifes who often use metal detectors to suss out potential sites, destroying valuable archaeological evidence simply to get at artefacts they can sell to private collectors.

Jake’s stay in the village brings him in contact with some unlikely new friends. Rabbit aka Leonardo, a garrulous oddball with a heart of gold, Tilly, whose greatest loves are the wildlife around her own countryside and archaeology – and, most unlikely of all, Marcus – a young Roman ghost from the noble family whose burial site has just been robbed.

This trio is so very likeable that readers will greatly anticipate a further adventure with them. Felice’s characterisation has been spot on and we can all enjoy the various nuances of the three protagonists. I certainly would enjoy meeting them again in another adventure. I’m thinking maybe Roundheads/Cavaliers, Tudors or even later in Victorian times or Great War- so many choices! I particularly love his no-nonsense Tilly.

Jake, along with Tilly and Rabbit, and aided in part by Marcus’ spirit, is determined to track down the looted treasure of the Gallus family, restore their honour and preserve their remains, as well as bring the nighthawks to justice.

Their adventure is fast-paced and fraught with not inconsiderable danger and young readers will be fully engrossed with this cracking page-turner. The villains are completely unexpected, so the reveal will be a real surprise to all – including myself!

Felice explains that the narrative is inspired by his own involvement with a Roman archaeological dig [SO envious!] and his learning of the wicked trade conducted by nighthawks. From there it was a leap of ‘what if…..’ to conceive of a young spirit who has needed help for long centuries and a young boy of the present in need of solace and comfort in his own grief.

It is an absolutely fabulous read from page one and I have no hesitation in giving it my Summa cum laude 5 🪏🪏🪏🪏🪏rating.

Have some Roman type fun QED: Cosmo’s Casebook is a fun, educational game set in Ancient Rome during the final decades of the Roman Republic.