Mystery at Riddle Gully

by Jen Banyard

Pollo di Nozi, reporter-in-training, has a nose for news. Strange things are happening in Riddle Gully and Pollo smells a major scoop.

With Shorn Connery, her sheepish sidekick, Pollo is determined to track down the Graffiti Kid. But is Will, the new boy in town, conspiring with the pushy mayor and a strange Transylvanian to send her sniffing up the wrong trail?

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Jen Banyard writes fun mystery and adventure for young readers. In her writing, she aims to entertain first – not least, herself! – but also to ask ethical questions of her young readers. She has a doctorate in Creative Writing from the University of Western Australia. Her youth was largely spent mucking around on the Canning River and on Rottnest Island.

Reviews

[Adele Broadbent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pollo di Nozi is a budding reporter – publishing her own ‘Riddle Gully Gazette’, filled with stories about her small town. She wants to win a Youth Reporter Cadetship and is always on the hunt for a good story. When a stranger arrives in town with a weird accent and an interest in the town’s bat colony, Pollo’s avid imagination kicks in. Could he be a vampire? During Pollo’s sleuthing, she meets a new boy in town and together they unravel the Mystery at Riddle Gully.

This story has mystery, humour, family woes and a tale of an endangered bat colony. A great read for 7+

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive this book from Good Reads First Reads.

This book was so charming! It tells the story of Pollo, a budding reporter who, along with her trusty side kick, Shorn Connery the sheep, and her new friend Will, set out to discover the root of the curious events at Riddle Gully. This book has a beautiful pace and keeps the excitement and suspense going from the first page. It also has some very humourous moments. Banyard has created some very likeable, and very real characters. Overall it was a very enjoyable book and a pleasure to read.

[Mrs Child · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good mystery with plenty happening between the characters. Will and Pollo become allies in crime!