Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe

  • Dazzling Diamond Egg: Claris the Chicest Mouse in Paris – Megan Hess

    Hardie Grant Australia September 2025 ISBN:9781761215193 Price:AU$26.99, NZ$29.99 Series:Claris Publisher:Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing I absolutely adore Megan Hess’ books! Though I’ve only had two for review, I’ve bought every one of her fashion titles I could get my hands on for my libraries. I can assure you that my fashionista and arty girls went mad…

  • The Haunting of Hindmarsh Hall – Kate Gordon

    Riveted Press Simon & Schuster April 2025 RRP: AU$ 16.99 / NZ$ 18.99 If you have kidlets who are mad for detectives and mystery, and particularly if they’re the ones who love an Enid Blyton ‘find-outer’ adventure, then you are going to need this one. In a small town of indeterminate location, two boys are…

  • Escape from Marigold Manor – Rachel Jackson

    For someone with a mild [understatement] addiction to cozy murder mysteries, this new Rachel Jackson Solve it Your Way was right up my alley. Not that I didn’t also enjoy the first in the series Escape from Cuttlefish Cove, but this one had the perfect setting and characters for my taste. In this new one,…

  • This Book Kills – Ravena Guron

    Harper Collins Australia March 2024 I recently read someone ‘predicting’ that murder mystery for teens/YA was going to be a big new trend this year. I have news for them. It has been for quite a few years now as any of the devotees of Karen McManus, Holly Jackson or Robin Stevens will affirm –…

  • Enola Holmes and the Mark of the Mongoose #9- Nancy Springer

    Allen & Unwin August 2023 ISBN:9781761180613 Publisher:A&U Children’s Imprint:A & U Children RRP: $19.99 We are big Enola fans here, both books and Netflix adaptations, so a bit morose that this is the final in the series *sad face*. But it is certainly a ripper of a finale, with another very clever blend of historical…

  • Einstein the Penguin – Iona Rangeley. Illustrated y David Tazzyman.

    Harper Collins Australia December 2021 ISBN: 9780008475963 ISBN 10: 0008475962 Imprint: HarperCollins GB List Price: 19.99 AUD This is a fun new read for your kiddos who are moving on from those first easy chapter books to something a little more challenging. Imagine stirring up Paddington stories with Mr Popper’s Penguins with a good dash of Finding Nemo and…