A light hearted and amusing mystery, with a few darker turns, Inky Stevens: The Case of the Caretaker’s Keys is billed as a book for adults and young adults alike, and with good reason. The reclusive and brooding main character will be an instant favourite of any old or young mystery-obsessed reader; his calm composure and cool intellect places allows him to fit perfectly into the role that has been written for him, and the fact he is a misfit will resonate with many readers. With an intriguing back story that the writer only just lightly touches upon, I feel that there is a lot more to be explored with this protagonist alone, which will provide an interesting undercurrent for the remainder of the series.
Inky, referred to as ‘the great school detective’, resides in the fictional Blinkton-on-sea and spends his school days solving mysteries rather than attending the majority of his classes. As the author is an ex-teacher, he perfectly captures the behaviours and happenings of your typical secondary school in a beautifully exaggerated way that provides a much needed comical twist. I especially liked the character of Candy Sugarcane with her excessive makeup, much to the pain of her long-suffering teachers (very reminiscent of my own school days), and school bully Spud (so mean he even bullies the staff). Bringing in the politics of the workforce is also a real draw for adult readers as we watch the accurately-portrayed interplay and feuds that exist between the teachers and admin staff.
Of course, the real heart of this book is the mystery element, and the author doesn’t once lose sight of this. From the first chapter, the reader is immersed in a world of clues, suspects and whodunnits, all which keep you guessing until the very end. My only slight criticism here is that as the reader, it’s not easy to piece the clues together yourself, which for me personally is one of the main attractions of this type of genre. However, no loose end is left untied and there was the perfect twist as the book came to a close.
A short read, perfect for reluctant 12+ readers and for adults looking for something quick to read on the train, Inky Stevens will provide something for all. The Book Dragon had the privilege of reviewing this book on behalf of Chris Martin, and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity. I personally shall be keeping my eyes peeled for the next Inky Stevens adventure and award the schoolboy detective 4 stars.
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