This is a mystery thriller with a questioning teenage protagonist, combining suspected murder, danger, romance, jealousy and questions about belief. Its appeal is likely to come from following Poppy’s investigation as appearances become increasingly unreliable.
Murder mysteryThe available evidence does not establish the book's treatment of this theme. See Confidence & Basis for the evidence gap.TrustThe available evidence does not establish the book's treatment of this theme. See Confidence & Basis for the evidence gap.SecrecyThe available evidence does not establish the book's treatment of this theme. See Confidence & Basis for the evidence gap.
Consider
Fear and suspenseGrief and lossRelationships and intimacy
Personalised Fit
Sign in to see how this book fits your child and family preferences.
Poppy suspects that a death treated as an accident was murder and investigates while encountering lies and people who are not as they seem.AmbiguousAmbiguous: the book leaves its position open to more than one reasonable reading.Ambiguous: the book leaves its position open to more than one reasonable reading.
How the book presents it: The premise presents investigation as the engine of the story, while warning that appearances and information may be unreliable.
Talk about: What does Poppy learn about deciding when evidence is strong enough to trust?
Belief and spirituality
Poppy favours quantum particles and Dawkins over tarot cards and druids, while attending her mother and stepfather’s handfasting ceremony at a Pagan festival.Provisional readingProvisional: the reviewed evidence does not establish how the book treats this theme. The evidence gap is listed under Confidence & Basis.Provisional: the reviewed evidence does not establish how the book treats this theme. The evidence gap is listed under Confidence & Basis.
Talk about: If Poppy’s views change, how does the story present that change: as discovery, compromise or something else?
Romantic heartache and jealousy
Poppy attends the festival partly to avoid seeing the boy she loves with another girl, and bonds with Beth over unrequited love.Provisional readingProvisional: the reviewed evidence does not establish how the book treats this theme. The evidence gap is listed under Confidence & Basis.Provisional: the reviewed evidence does not establish how the book treats this theme. The evidence gap is listed under Confidence & Basis.
Talk about: How does the story handle jealousy, and whether it affects Poppy’s choices or relationships?
✦
Why It May Be Worth Reading
It offers a story about testing assumptions: Poppy values science while attending a Pagan festival, and her search for truth exposes competing beliefs, emotional loyalties and concealed information.
!
What Deserves Attention
The book includes a girl’s death, a possible murder, a previous boating accident, heartache from unrequited love, jealousy, lies and repeated movement towards danger.
↔
A Conversation Worth Having
How does Poppy’s search for an explanation affect her relationships and her understanding of belief, and does the story distinguish between questioning someone’s views and judging them?
◇
Reading Approach
If the death, danger or romantic jealousy feels intense, pause after a suspenseful section and talk through what Poppy knows, suspects and cannot yet prove. Afterwards, discuss how the ending treats belief and trust.
Confidence & Basis
Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.
What remains unconfirmed
Truth, appearances and investigation: The conclusion, the reliability of individual characters and the story’s final judgement on Poppy’s investigation are not established.
Belief and spirituality: Some details of this treatment remain unclear.
Romantic heartache and jealousy: The extent of romantic or sexual content and the eventual outcomes of these relationships remain unclear.
Suitabook