But someone is starting fires in Cooinda – and the first one looks like a murder. Eleanor is determined not to get involved, but when she receives a note warning her to ‘keep quiet’ she can’t help but work out who sent it.
Who had motive to murder Eleanor’s neighbour? Could it really be one of her classmates? And are the fires connected to the car thefts in town? The more Eleanor tries to do the right thing, the more danger she finds herself in . . .
After two books, we finally got the TroyEleanor kiss. Me and a particular friend of mine were suffering for so long cause of their painful friendzone and finally getting to see them kiss (AND ACT AFFECTIONATE WITH EACH OTHER 😭!!!) was worth it.
AND THE PLOT OF THIS WAS INSANE??? I was already feeling scared cause the idea of Eleanor going after an arsonist seemed crazy compared to the last two books, but this completely surpassed my expectations. My predictions were completely off and I'm so happy cause that meant that the story wasn't predictable at all.
However, I did have a small feeling later on that Deklan's dad wasn't the good guy he was portrayed to be, and my heart just broke when seeing it confirmed true. Deklan Webb, you are now my favourite complicated character and I really hope you return for Eleanor Jones 4.
Also, kinda shipping Liv and Alfie. I just don't think Camille will ever see Alfie as anything other than friend and Alfie deserves someone who is utterly obsessed with him like how Liv is. LOVED the Namita and Ethan moments, too. I'm so happy that they're together and thriving!
Overall, LOVED THIS BOOK. So happy I got to see my fave Aussie characters again and can't wait to see them again for Eleanor Jones 4!
(P:S: so happy I preordered the book and received the free map! Having it on hand to check locations while I read helped so much 😭❤️)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Big thanks to Penguin for sending us a copy to read and review. The tinder dry landscape of Cooinda is at risk as a pyromaniac is creating chaos. The first fire results in a death. School aged sleuth Eleanor Jones has been told to keep out of criminal activities but once she gets a warning note her tenacity to solve crimes kicks in. As Eleanor and her friends piece together the mystery it becomes apparent the school is at risk. Odd behaviour and social clues start to surface. More fires and explosions expedite the urgency. New friends to her circle and addressing adversaries are normal school yard activities but become advantageous in sleuthing the culprit. Tensions and danger are imminent as they come closer to identifying who is causing chaos. It was good to have Eleanor back and follow her adventures and misadventures. Coming out of a prolonged dry period the threat of fire is real and firebugs for some reason act out. I have to date really enjoyed this series.
BEASTED IN 2 HOURS AGAIN THE SAME DAY IT CAME OUT!! Amy doesn't miss and this may DEFINITELY be my favourite book in the series so far, I WISH IT WAS LONGER THOUGH!!!
Wonderful to dive back into the latest adventures of Eleanor Jones and her crew in Cooinda - felt like I was back among friends. It's the middle of summer and someone is stealing cars and lighting fires in Cooinda. Could the two be linked? Events become even more serious when a body is found in a burnt out house. Eleanor and crew are onto it! I love Eleanor, she is such an authentic character, fearless, with a love for uncovering the truth. She feels so real! Can't wait for Book 4.
I freaking love this series, and this was definitely my favourite so far. The characters are delightful, the mystery was compelling, and I honestly would read like 25 more books of these kids solving crimes.
Eleanor Jones isn’t looking for trouble. But someone is starting fires in Cooinda – and the first one looks like a murder. Eleanor is determined not to get involved, but when she receives a note warning her to ‘keep quiet’ she can’t help but work out who sent it. The more Eleanor tries to do the right thing, the more danger she finds herself in.
This was one rare occasion where I read a book straight after its prequel, so I still had everything fresh in my mind. It was a good thing as the opening of this book picked up straight after book two, with Eleanor’s date-slash-non-date with Trevor.
Not gonna lie, I was a bit worried going into this one because its prequel was a 5-star read for me. But I didn’t have to because this turned out to be another 5-star too! This was (literally) more explosive than Eleanor Can’t Keep a Secret!
I loved that the whole gang was involved in this one. The teamwork and the divide-and-conquer were awesome. Eleanor also had time to be a normal teenager between the adventures - experiencing romance, friendship and growing up just like other teenagers. The mysterious fires were intriguing and suspenseful, not to mention action-packed. I didn’t really guess the whodunnit but I wasn’t surprised because I knew I’d be distracted with everything Eleanor was facing.
This series has now become one of my all-time favourites! I’m ready for more Eleanor Jones adventures.
(Thanks to Penguin Australia for a gifted review copy)
Another 5 star read by Amy Doak! I hope we see more of this mischievous group of delinquents if there’s another book in the works! This was such a fast paced read. I really have loved this series and I’m sad I have to say goodbye to the characters (hopefully just for now). I’m going to miss the gang, maybe even Jarrod (IYKYK). Such a great YA crime/mystery series. I definitely recommend for those that like thrill seeking, sitting close to the edge, mystery books!
Oh my Eleanor you are absolutely wonderful! I loved this book 🙌
A fire has destroyed a house down the road from Eleanor’s home and her neighbour dies in the fire. Then a suspicious note is left for her, warning her to stay away?!
While Eleanor starts to poke around subtly at school, could it actually be one of her class mates? Not only that but cars are being stollen around town too, is it a coincidence?
While she isn’t necessarily looking for trouble, why does it always seem to find her?
Oh these characters are so wonderful and the story flows so well I couldn’t put it down! Absolutely loved it and Eleanor 🤩
- - - This was the third book in the Eleanor Jones series and it was just as sharp, cheeky and charming as the first two.
The target audience may be young adults but just like the earlier books, there’s plenty here to keep us grown up crime lovers thoroughly entertained too.
This time around, Eleanor is trying to keep herself out of trouble but as always, trouble has other plans. What follows is a twisty little mystery with a surprisingly strong suspect list and a tone that stayed light but still kept me guessing right to the end.
Amy has such an easy, fast paced writing style that makes these books a total breeze to read. She nails that sweet spot of writing stories that are super fun but still tackle important themes for teens like trying to live up to expectations and how to handle personal photos being shared without consent. It’s all handled with sensitivity and sensibility, without ever dragging down the pace.
If you’re into Nancy Drew or love the chaos and smarts of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, this series is going to be an absolute win for you.
Big thanks to Penguin Books for sending this one my way. I’ll happily read every Eleanor adventure Amy writes.
Eleanor Jones isn’t looking for trouble, but that’s just what she finds when her neighbours house is set on fire by an arsonist, and when the body of her neighbour is found inside it looks like murder. Eleanor is determined to stay out of it, but when she receives a threatening note from the arsonist she can’t help but get involved. Who, in the small town of Cooinda, would want her neighbour dead? Could it be one of her classmates? The closer she gets to the truth the more danger Eleanor, and her friends, are in.
It was so great to be back on the world of Eleanor Jones. This is book three in the series, and it was just as exciting as the first two. I devoured this in one sitting, with the fast pace and the wonderful characters it was hard to put down, and I just had to know how it was going to end. A YA Mystery/Thriller that examines some tough topics and situations that teenagers face - peer pressure, bullying and the perils pig sharing personal photos. As with the other books, Eleanor’s group of friends were such a great side characters, as was her mum. This kept me guessing until the very end. I hope we get more from Eleanor, as I can’t wait to see what trouble she finds herself in next.
Book three of the fascinating mysteries of Eleanor jones and the town of cooinda. This book was another great book to read for several reasons, I love the characters of Min, Eleanor, Troy, Namita, Ethan, Angus, Alfie, Camille and the newest addition to the friend group Liv. I loved the mystery elements of the stolen cars and the deliberate fires. I loved the deeper details of Deklan’s home life with the abuse from his former pro footy father. I liked seeing more insight to popular mean girl Tyler and why she’s had it in for Eleanor, where she grew up having to be a certain way to be liked and accepted yet Eleanor isn’t like that and is still accepted for who she is. There were some deep perspectives to these characters that made them more interesting to read. This book was highly enjoyable to read.
Eleanor jones has been dating Troy for two weeks and is frustrated by the fact that they haven’t kissed. On a calm Sunday afternoon Eleanor witnesses her neighbour’s house on fire and calls the fire brigade. She catches a flash of purple from the corner of her eye but that’s it. Detective holly examines the scene and they learn a body was found in the kitchen belonging to Garry McGregor. Eleanor in English is assigned to a group for a project including mean girl Tyler, popular jock Deklan, Noah another footy player and outcast Olivia whom Eleanor bonds with over their shared interest of reading. Eleanor discovers a threatening note left in her backpack In regards to the fire and begins to investigate with her list of suspects her English group, the fireman smitty and Ethan’s older brother Jarrod a former troublemaker. She confides in her friends and they begin to try to narrow down the suspect, Olivia has a lighter but is ruled out. Eleanor matches the flash of purple she saw to the cooinda footy team Noah, deklan and Tyler still strong suspects and during a football match someone lit a fire in the change rooms. Deklans father Leigh is a famous footy player and was friends with Garry. Eleanor shows holly the note who will pass it on to the detective investigating the fire as she’s working a case with stolen cars lots of them have been stolen recently including Troy’s mothers car. Eleanor discovers Baxters car on fire and suspects Tyler strongly because Baxter has nudes of her that he was showing to his mates in the locker. Troy and Eleanor discover Noah and some other guys have been stealing cars to race in, but aren’t sure his responsible for the fires. Eleanor strongly suspects that deklan might be responsible and follows Alfie’s advice about getting handwriting samples to compare to the threatening note which is a match for deklans she goes to confront him but he’s missing, starting more fires and threatening mrs khan, Eleanor lets her friends know what’s going on and learns the truth from deklan, his father is abusive and that he went to Garry for help but he refused and had a heart attack, he burnt baxters car in revenge for his mate mocking him about being abused, and mrs khan because she’s still going through all the legal loopholes to get him and his sister away from their abusive father but he’s not happy how long it’s taking. Firefighters manage to tackle deklan before anyone can get hurt. Eleanor happily hangs out with her friends all safe and sound.
It’s only been three months since Eleanor and her mum arrived in Cooinda, but trouble just seems to follow her. This time someone is lighting fires and the first one looks like it may have also been a murder. Eleanor’s list of suspects includes some of her classmates, but having promised her mum she’ll stay out of trouble she’s trying hard to resist the temptation to investigate.
This is the third instalment in Amy Doak’s fabulous YA mystery series which just gets better with every book. I love that as well as being a fast paced suspenseful read, Amy also has Eleanor dealing with difficult issues such as teenage relationships, peer pressure and some of the boys sharing compromising photos of female classmates.
I loved the friendship bonds between Eleanor and her friends. The way their different personalities just gel and their loyalty and support for each other is always so heartwarming.
The mystery in this one also kept me guessing. There were so many characters that seemed suspicious and my thoughts on the culprit kept changing throughout.
Although this is the third book it can definitely be read as a standalone. However I recommend reading all of them to get the full background on Eleanor and her friends.
Thank you so much to Penguin Australia for sending me a copy of this one. All thoughts are my own.
Amy Doak has done it again! This series just keeps getting better with each book and I love these characters so dang much.
The plot of this one had me hooked from the beginning. Arson? Car theft? Multiple suspects? SO exciting! I loved every minute of it and honestly couldn’t pick who did it.
Obviously I love the gang that’s been at the centre of this book since the start but the addition of Liv made me so happy. I actually think she’s my new favourite. She was so sweet and earnest and shy and I just loved her a whole lot.
I loved this book, this series gets better and better! (Which I didn’t think possible) Eleanor Jones has become one of my favourite fiction characters, I just want to hang out with her, sit on her verandah and read next to her. This story involves fire in a country town and all previous characters are back, including Holly, Min, Troy, Ethan, Angus. Archie and Namita. This book could be read on its own or to continue series. A great read.
2025 pop sugar reading challenge- a book involving soccer
This authors' writing keeps getting better. As always, I appreciate and enjoy the familiarity of Australian culture in a crime mystery genre, set for a YA audience. Although there were less potential suspects and all plot points from the previous books didn't expand this book, it was still highly enjoyable and fitting. The characters felt nostalgic and familiar, but I did want more than just an arsonist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Eleanor Jones is Playing with Fire is the third instalment in the Eleanor Jones YA series by Amy Doak.
The whole series has been fantastic and Playing with Fire was no exception. We got to catch up with all our favourite characters from the previous books and of course have Eleanor solve another murder in town (doesn't seem like the safest town to live in if I'm honest 😂) I also tandem read this with the audiobook and Lola Bond did a great job narrating again
A new Eleanor Jones book is definitely something to celebrate and this is a series I try to put into every teen reader's hands in my school library.
Smart plots, clever mysteries, wonderful characters, and amazing writing... I fell in love with Eleanor Jones on page one of book one and the love affair is still going strong.
All of the books in this series are very well written in a very easy light way, but this book was kind of dull for me. It was still really good, but there where very minimal plot twists or things that suddenly changed everything, and we kinda knew who did if from 10 chapters from the end, unlike her other books in this series.
3.75 stars *:・゚✧*:・゚ literally binged this in a day 🥹🥲 i love this friend group so much and TROY AND ELEANOR ugh my teenage girl heart is full rn. 🫶 -0.25 because they didn’t kiss at the end 😒
────── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ────── pre-read ✧・゚: *✧・゚:* i’ll admit, i was not expecting this book to be one of my most anticipated of 2025. but it is 👀 i hope this wraps up the trilogy well!
Eleanor, I love you as a character. References to The Outsiders, Veronica Mars, and Tomorrow When the War Began were on point! I’ve so enjoyed reading these stories about a quirky true to herself teen in country Australia.