Rhian Tracey

This enjoyable, fast-moving story of the exploits of three thirteen-year-old friends, who join forces to uncover the reason for some rather strange, secretive ‘goings on’ at Bletchley Park during the first year of WWII, is reminiscent of the ‘Famous Five’ type of adventure stories enjoyed by generations of children and will, I’m sure, particularly appeal to 10/13-year-old children. Each of the main characters is well-drawn and, with Robyn being portrayed as a bit of a nature-loving tomboy whose long-held wish is to become an apprentice in her father’s garage; Mary, a mixed-race evacuee from Liverpool, being intellectually very bright and aspiring, and Ned, son of the local undertaker, being more self-effacing and anxious than either of the girls, the author not only avoided any traditional stereotyping, but has probably encouraged some aspirational thinking in her young readers! However, given the amount of freedom the three children enjoyed, with little or no adult supervision, I imagine that few children today will be able to identify with that aspect of the storytelling! Although some of the escapades the threesome got up to did stretch the credulity of this adult reader, the tension evoked by the various accounts certainly provided the story with an exciting momentum and may make some children wish that they too could enjoy such freedom!
I loved how effectively the author not only evoked a convincing sense of the mood of the country in those early days of the war, but also brought to life the secrecy and intrigue of what was going on at Bletchley Park, as well as the rather bizarre rumours which abounded in the local community! So, it feels very good to know that any child who reads this story will not only enjoy an exciting adventure story, but will also learn so much about some real events which took place during this particular time in their country’s history. Apart from highlighting the important work going on at Bletchley Park, the story also touched on things such as people’s fear of bombing raids, unexploded ordnance, evacuation of children from big cities, anxiety about family members away fighting in the armed forces, rationing, the use of carrier pigeons as part of intelligence-gathering efforts, and efforts to save significant works of art. As most of today’s young children will have little (maybe even no!) knowledge of these things, I think one of the important strengths of Rhian Tracey’s well-researched story is that it is educational in addition to being hugely enjoyable. I don’t know whether she plans to write a follow-up (even a series!) featuring this intrepid trio but if she hasn’t considered it, I would urge her to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard!) as soon as possible as I’m confident that her young readers will be keen to spend more time with their new fictional friends!
With thanks to the publisher and Readers First for my copy in exchange for an honest review.… (mehr)