High Crime in Milk Bay

Moya Simons (author)

Walker Books, Australia: 2008; 144pp

ISBN: 9781921150401

Genres: adventure, mystery/crime, realistic fiction

David and Bernice's ‘Walk Right In Detective Agency' is back in business after the school holidays. David is becoming annoyed by the lack of ‘big break' into serious crime.

He finds such cases as Mrs Butterworth's missing goats, the identification of a secret admirer, and flowers stolen from the local park all rather ordinary.

Consequently, Bernice is convinced that David is just dramatizing when he becomes obsessed with the strange behaviour of his new neighbours. Surely he couldn't he really be on the track of something serious? Surely a kidnapper wouldn't choose the peaceful town of Milk Bay as a hideaway?

Amidst the usual investigations of the ordinary, David and Bernice find themselves caught up in much darker events. Despite the unlikely involvement of two teenagers in a serious crime, 'Open For Business' is a stronger, more confident novel than 'High Crime In Milk Bay', relying far more on careful planning and good detective work than on improbable coincidences.

An entertaining light read.