The Nancys are back…
It’s four months after Christmas, and Tippy Chan, Uncle Pike and Devon are reunited in Riverstone for the first anniversary of Tippy’s father’s death. This time, the plan is simple: no mysteries, no crimes, and definitely no secret detective clubs. Riverstone has other ideas…
When an early-morning explosion destroys the town hall and kills three people, the town is thrown into chaos. An arrest is made and Riverstone decides the case is closed … except for Tippy, Pike and Devon. Once again, it’s up to the Nancys to go against the flow … and police advice.
Their search draws them towards Tulip Farm and raises more questions than answers. Is the accused bomber really guilty? Was he working alone? And when everyone else is convinced they’re right, does that make you wrong?
With rumours spreading, tempers flaring and the threat of another attack hanging over the town, the Nancys must work out who to trust, who to ignore, and how to stop a killer before they strike again…
R.W.R. McDonald (Rob) is an award-winning author, a Kiwi and Queer dad living in Melbourne with his two daughters and one HarryCat.
His debut novel, The Nancys (published in the UK as The Nancys and the Case of the Missing Necklace), won Best First Novel in the 2020 Ngaio Marsh Awards, as well as being a finalist in the Best Novel category. It was shortlisted for Best First Novel in the 2020 Ned Kelly Awards, and Highly Commended for an Unpublished Manuscript in the 2017 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards.
His second novel, Nancy Business (published in the UK as The Nancys and the Secret of Tulip Farm), was a finalist for Best Novel in the 2022 Ngaio Marsh Awards. Rob is working on the third book in The Nancys series.
My thoughts: I loved this, I love Tippy and her Uncle Pike and Devon. I really felt for her in this book, she goes on several emotional rollercoasters. When a bomb goes off in the middle of Riverstone, she worries that her mum, Helen, might be hurt as the medical centre where she works is right there. Thankfully, she’s ok (I don’t think that’s a spoiler) but the identity of the bomber makes no sense, Mr Tulips, the local flower grower and florist, just doesn’t seem like someone who would blow up his van, the town hall, and injure several people.
So the Nancys reconvene to investigate. With Devon on multicoloured pen duty, some blank new walls to act as their case board and Tippy’s analytical mind, they’re soon tracking down witnesses, interviewing the supposed bomber’s neighbours, and uncovering secrets.
As long as Uncle Pike and Devon can sort out their relationship issues and stay together, Tippy doesn’t need more adults leaving, and they all stay safe, it’ll be fine. But as Tippy discovers, adults really are very complicated.
Another excellent adventure, with some great crime solving and more eccentric characters. Loved it. Can’t wait for book three!
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.
