What do you think?
Rate this book
The Nancy’s #1
The Nancys
'A delight - moving and hilarious. I loved every minute I spent with these characters.' - Paddy O'Reilly, author of The Wonders
Tippy Chan is eleven and lives in a small town in a very quiet part of the world - the place her Uncle Pike escaped from the first chance he got as a teenager. Now Pike is back with his new boyfriend Devon to look after Tippy while her mum's on a cruise.
Tippy is in love with her uncle's old Nancy Drew books, especially the early ones where Nancy was sixteen and did whatever she wanted. She wants to be Nancy and is desperate to solve a real mystery. When her teacher's body is found beside Riverstone's only traffic light, Tippy's moment has arrived. She and her minders form The Nancys, a secret amateur detective club.
But what starts as a bonding and sightseeing adventure quickly morphs into something far more dangerous. A wrongful arrest, a close call with the murderer, and an intervention from Tippy's mum all conspire against The Nancys. But regardless of their own safety, and despite the constant distraction of questionable fashion choices in the town that style forgot, The Nancys know only they can stop the killer from striking again.
The Nancys is gripping and glorious, a heart-warming novel for anyone who's ever felt they were on the outside looking in. At its heart it is about the family we make and how we must summon the courage to face the truth, no matter what the cost may be.
Tippy Chan is eleven and lives in a small town in a very quiet part of the world - the place her Uncle Pike escaped from the first chance he got as a teenager. Now Pike is back with his new boyfriend Devon to look after Tippy while her mum's on a cruise.
Tippy is in love with her uncle's old Nancy Drew books, especially the early ones where Nancy was sixteen and did whatever she wanted. She wants to be Nancy and is desperate to solve a real mystery. When her teacher's body is found beside Riverstone's only traffic light, Tippy's moment has arrived. She and her minders form The Nancys, a secret amateur detective club.
But what starts as a bonding and sightseeing adventure quickly morphs into something far more dangerous. A wrongful arrest, a close call with the murderer, and an intervention from Tippy's mum all conspire against The Nancys. But regardless of their own safety, and despite the constant distraction of questionable fashion choices in the town that style forgot, The Nancys know only they can stop the killer from striking again.
The Nancys is gripping and glorious, a heart-warming novel for anyone who's ever felt they were on the outside looking in. At its heart it is about the family we make and how we must summon the courage to face the truth, no matter what the cost may be.
396 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 3, 2019
67 people are currently reading
1583 people want to read
About the author
R.W.R. McDonald
6 books97 followersR.W.R. McDonald (Rob) is an award-winning author, a kiwi living in Melbourne with his two daughters and one HarryCat.
His debut novel, The Nancys, won Best First Novel in 2020 Ngaio Marsh Awards, as well as a finalist in the Best Novel category, and it was shortlisted for Best First Novel in 2020 Ned Kelly Awards.
His second novel, Nancy Business, a sequel to The Nancys was published in June 21, and was a finalist in 2022 Ngaio Marsh Awards for Best Novel.
Rob was also a contributor to Dark Deeds Down Under, a crime fiction anthology, published by Clan Destine Press June 2022, with a short story, Nancys Undercover, which features his crime fighting trio.
Happy Millionth Birthday, published September, 2023 by Larrikin House, is Rob's first picture book - illustrated by Alexandra Colombo.
Rainbow St, Rob's next picture book will be published 2025.
An Ambush of Widows, an audiobook by Ulverscroft, will be available 1 December 2024
His debut novel, The Nancys, won Best First Novel in 2020 Ngaio Marsh Awards, as well as a finalist in the Best Novel category, and it was shortlisted for Best First Novel in 2020 Ned Kelly Awards.
His second novel, Nancy Business, a sequel to The Nancys was published in June 21, and was a finalist in 2022 Ngaio Marsh Awards for Best Novel.
Rob was also a contributor to Dark Deeds Down Under, a crime fiction anthology, published by Clan Destine Press June 2022, with a short story, Nancys Undercover, which features his crime fighting trio.
Happy Millionth Birthday, published September, 2023 by Larrikin House, is Rob's first picture book - illustrated by Alexandra Colombo.
Rainbow St, Rob's next picture book will be published 2025.
An Ambush of Widows, an audiobook by Ulverscroft, will be available 1 December 2024
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 308 reviews
June 10, 2019
Well, that was an amusing, different kind of murder mystery. It is seen through the eyes of eleven year old Tippy, who is being babysat by her Uncle Pike and his boyfriend Devon while her mum is away on a cruise. When her teacher is found dead by the side of the road Tippy, Pike and Devon form The Nancys, a crime solving club based on Nancy Drew. What they don't count on is getting closer to solve the mystery than the police are, and that could be dangerous!
I am a bit torn though, for the most part I loved the banter between the characters, yet on the other hand there was far too much innuendo, and that could alienate some readers. I did enjoy the setting in small town New Zealand, and the character of Tippy, smart yet naïve. All in all it's not a bad effort and would suit people looking for a different take on the normal cosy type mystery.
My thanks to Allen & Unwin for an uncorrected proof to read and review. The opinions are entirely my own.
I am a bit torn though, for the most part I loved the banter between the characters, yet on the other hand there was far too much innuendo, and that could alienate some readers. I did enjoy the setting in small town New Zealand, and the character of Tippy, smart yet naïve. All in all it's not a bad effort and would suit people looking for a different take on the normal cosy type mystery.
My thanks to Allen & Unwin for an uncorrected proof to read and review. The opinions are entirely my own.
July 19, 2019
I really did not expect to like this as much as I did! From the blurb I thought here we go again, yet another book full of 'quirky' characters we are expected to fall in love with.
And that is exactly what I got. Tippy Chan, eleven years old, traumatised by the death of her father, naïve but smart. Uncle Pike and his boyfriend, Devon, totally incorrect in attitude, language, behaviour and everything else to be in charge of an eleven year old but just what that eleven year old needed at this time. I did fall in love.
The book had faults mind you! Sometimes I thought the author tried too hard in the humorous dialogue and verged on being crude, but most of the time it was just plain funny. It was also warm and loving and a pleasure to read.
I am still thinking about those quirky characters the next day so they definitely made an impression. A very entertaining, amusing and absorbing book. Highly recommended!
And that is exactly what I got. Tippy Chan, eleven years old, traumatised by the death of her father, naïve but smart. Uncle Pike and his boyfriend, Devon, totally incorrect in attitude, language, behaviour and everything else to be in charge of an eleven year old but just what that eleven year old needed at this time. I did fall in love.
The book had faults mind you! Sometimes I thought the author tried too hard in the humorous dialogue and verged on being crude, but most of the time it was just plain funny. It was also warm and loving and a pleasure to read.
I am still thinking about those quirky characters the next day so they definitely made an impression. A very entertaining, amusing and absorbing book. Highly recommended!
November 10, 2021
A light, fun read with a spirited eleven year girl, her gay uncle and his boyfriend forming an investigative team based on Nancy Drew to track down the murder of a local teacher.
Tippy Chan, who lives in a small NZ town, has been left in the charge of her gay Uncle Pike, who fled town as soon as he could for the brighter lights of Sydney, while her mother goes on a two week cruise that she won. Tippy who is still grieving the death of her father last year, is shaken when her teacher is murdered. She's a big fan of Nancy Drew, having inherited Uncle Pike's childhood collection of the series and fancies herself as an amateur detective and talks Pike and his boyfriend Devon into helping her sleuth for clues to the identity of the murderer.
It's the characters who make the novel fun. Tippy herself, her friend Sam, garrulous Mrs Brown from next door, her granddaughter Melanie, who Devon decides needs a makeover so she can enter in the annual beauty pageant, as well as Pike and Devon themselves with their risqué and, at times very inappropriate banter liberally laced with sexual innuendo. Definitely a different sort of cosy mystery!
Tippy Chan, who lives in a small NZ town, has been left in the charge of her gay Uncle Pike, who fled town as soon as he could for the brighter lights of Sydney, while her mother goes on a two week cruise that she won. Tippy who is still grieving the death of her father last year, is shaken when her teacher is murdered. She's a big fan of Nancy Drew, having inherited Uncle Pike's childhood collection of the series and fancies herself as an amateur detective and talks Pike and his boyfriend Devon into helping her sleuth for clues to the identity of the murderer.
It's the characters who make the novel fun. Tippy herself, her friend Sam, garrulous Mrs Brown from next door, her granddaughter Melanie, who Devon decides needs a makeover so she can enter in the annual beauty pageant, as well as Pike and Devon themselves with their risqué and, at times very inappropriate banter liberally laced with sexual innuendo. Definitely a different sort of cosy mystery!
April 19, 2022
4★
“I texted back: ‘Has 2 b now — ghosts nite etc’ then sent a follow up: ‘Plse?????’
Sam sneaking out was a long shot but I'd hoped he would, just in case anything happened. I waited.
My phone buzzed.
‘DON'T GO!!!! BE CAREFUL!!!!!!!’”
Of course she goes. Alone. . . and it is definitely scary!
LANGUAGE WARNING: Be aware that there are F-bombs, C-bombs and sexual innuendos. More about that at the end of the review. *. I found it fun and funny.
Eleven-year-old Tippy Chan is telling the story, which takes place near Dunedin, NZ. Her best friend, Todd, is in a coma in hospital after falling from the top of a bridge and being rescued from the river by the father of her other best friend, Sam. When a body is discovered, Tippy suspects Todd’s fall may not have been an accident.
Tippy’s father has died, her mum’s brother has sent Mum on a cruise to help her recover, while he and his boyfriend stay with Tippy. Mum’s worried about leaving them in charge.
Little wonder. The pair seem like an irresponsible hoot. They first appear as cardboard stereotypes: Pike is a hairdresser, Devon is s fashion designer, and their behaviour is flamboyantly gay. They often dress like a Mardi Gras couple, but they like who they are and how they are, and surprisingly, they seem to be accepted by almost everybody else.
They are certainly not cardboard, and they take it upon themselves to brighten Tippy’s life.
“‘Why are you still in your school uniform?’
‘l'm not.’ I had on my usual grey trackpants and hoodie. . . They were comfy and let me disappear.
. . .
Uncle Pike put on some imaginary glasses and looked me up and down. ‘It simply won’t do, Tippy. You have an image to uphold. From what I’ve seen, it’s 1950s Soviet factory worker but not in a fun way.
I shrugged. ‘I don't care.’
He crossed his arms. ‘Nonsense. I won't have it . . . what kind of gay uncle would I be if I left you looking like that? It's in my contract.’
‘Contract?’
‘Yes, with God. We gays have to leave the world more beautiful than we found it.’”
It’s fun to see them try to moderate themselves in front of Tippy, although they aren’t entirely successful. When they slip – as they often do – they will call out “inapprops!” – to which Tippy will often say she doesn’t get it. (Whew!)
What she does get is a real lift of her spirits and comes out of her shell.
“I put on my new orange shorts and a pink T-shirt Devon had made me buy. It had a unicorn with fairy wings. ‘Twinkle’ was written underneath it in curly silver glitter.
‘It's for little kids,’ I’d said at the shop.
‘Don't worry, we'll get the biggest size,’ Devon had said. ‘l'm totally borrowing.’
‘It will be too tight.’
He’d thrown it in the basket. ‘Exactly, honey.’”
Tippy tells them about Todd, the accident and then the murder. She and Uncle Pike reminisce about Nancy Drew mysteries and explain to Devon who the girl sleuths were. They decide to form a group called The Nancys, make some rules, and begin investigating, attempting to get Uncle Pike’s old friend off the hook as a main suspect.
Tippy loves that they forget she’s a kid, and inventing The Nancys is just the thing to help her deal with her grief, her fears for Todd, and her mother’s absence.
The sleuthing is real, and sometimes dangerous. They are methodical with their outlines and are often surprised with the evidence. They are also occasionally dismayed.
“But there was the first rule: everyone's a suspect.”
*As for the language, it suits the situation, but the suggestiveness is much too naughty for children or very young readers. What will you say when they ask, as Tippy did, “What’s a bee-jay?” 😉
I loved it and hope the second book, Nancy Business, manages to keep up the pace.
“I texted back: ‘Has 2 b now — ghosts nite etc’ then sent a follow up: ‘Plse?????’
Sam sneaking out was a long shot but I'd hoped he would, just in case anything happened. I waited.
My phone buzzed.
‘DON'T GO!!!! BE CAREFUL!!!!!!!’”
Of course she goes. Alone. . . and it is definitely scary!
LANGUAGE WARNING: Be aware that there are F-bombs, C-bombs and sexual innuendos. More about that at the end of the review. *. I found it fun and funny.
Eleven-year-old Tippy Chan is telling the story, which takes place near Dunedin, NZ. Her best friend, Todd, is in a coma in hospital after falling from the top of a bridge and being rescued from the river by the father of her other best friend, Sam. When a body is discovered, Tippy suspects Todd’s fall may not have been an accident.
Tippy’s father has died, her mum’s brother has sent Mum on a cruise to help her recover, while he and his boyfriend stay with Tippy. Mum’s worried about leaving them in charge.
Little wonder. The pair seem like an irresponsible hoot. They first appear as cardboard stereotypes: Pike is a hairdresser, Devon is s fashion designer, and their behaviour is flamboyantly gay. They often dress like a Mardi Gras couple, but they like who they are and how they are, and surprisingly, they seem to be accepted by almost everybody else.
They are certainly not cardboard, and they take it upon themselves to brighten Tippy’s life.
“‘Why are you still in your school uniform?’
‘l'm not.’ I had on my usual grey trackpants and hoodie. . . They were comfy and let me disappear.
. . .
Uncle Pike put on some imaginary glasses and looked me up and down. ‘It simply won’t do, Tippy. You have an image to uphold. From what I’ve seen, it’s 1950s Soviet factory worker but not in a fun way.
I shrugged. ‘I don't care.’
He crossed his arms. ‘Nonsense. I won't have it . . . what kind of gay uncle would I be if I left you looking like that? It's in my contract.’
‘Contract?’
‘Yes, with God. We gays have to leave the world more beautiful than we found it.’”
It’s fun to see them try to moderate themselves in front of Tippy, although they aren’t entirely successful. When they slip – as they often do – they will call out “inapprops!” – to which Tippy will often say she doesn’t get it. (Whew!)
What she does get is a real lift of her spirits and comes out of her shell.
“I put on my new orange shorts and a pink T-shirt Devon had made me buy. It had a unicorn with fairy wings. ‘Twinkle’ was written underneath it in curly silver glitter.
‘It's for little kids,’ I’d said at the shop.
‘Don't worry, we'll get the biggest size,’ Devon had said. ‘l'm totally borrowing.’
‘It will be too tight.’
He’d thrown it in the basket. ‘Exactly, honey.’”
Tippy tells them about Todd, the accident and then the murder. She and Uncle Pike reminisce about Nancy Drew mysteries and explain to Devon who the girl sleuths were. They decide to form a group called The Nancys, make some rules, and begin investigating, attempting to get Uncle Pike’s old friend off the hook as a main suspect.
Tippy loves that they forget she’s a kid, and inventing The Nancys is just the thing to help her deal with her grief, her fears for Todd, and her mother’s absence.
The sleuthing is real, and sometimes dangerous. They are methodical with their outlines and are often surprised with the evidence. They are also occasionally dismayed.
“But there was the first rule: everyone's a suspect.”
*As for the language, it suits the situation, but the suggestiveness is much too naughty for children or very young readers. What will you say when they ask, as Tippy did, “What’s a bee-jay?” 😉
I loved it and hope the second book, Nancy Business, manages to keep up the pace.
June 16, 2021
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
The Nancys by R.W.R. Mcdonald is a camp, cozy murder mystery/family drama with a difference, it’s hilariously funny and there’s rather a lot of naughty banter between Uncle Pike and Devon. It’s also a story of grief and coming to terms with loss. There’s bad interior design, decapitation and drama.
Tippy Chan is an eleven year old girl that loves Nancy Drew books, she lives with her mother in Riverstone, a small rural town In New Zealand.
When Tippy’s mother sets off for a holiday cruise, Uncle Pike from Sydney and his new flamboyant boyfriend Devon come to stay and look after Tippy. The banter between the two men will have you laughing out loud but thankfully all the sexual innuendo is not understood by innocent young Tippy.
When Tippy’s teacher is found murdered and one of Tippy’s best friends falls off a bridge and winds up in a coma, the trio decide to form a secret amateur detective club they call The Nancys to look into the murder and find the real killer. There’s an absolute riot as the trio try not to get themselves murdered or busted by Tippy’s mum.
Meanwhile with Uncle Pike being a stylist while Devon is a fashion designer they give the teen neighbour Melanie Brown a makeover when they discover she’s entering the Show Queen contest.
This was a delightfully fun and heartwarming read, I really enjoyed it and loved the characters. The sequel Nancy Business has just been released!
Thank you so much Allen & Unwin for the chance to win a copy of the book
The Nancys by R.W.R. Mcdonald is a camp, cozy murder mystery/family drama with a difference, it’s hilariously funny and there’s rather a lot of naughty banter between Uncle Pike and Devon. It’s also a story of grief and coming to terms with loss. There’s bad interior design, decapitation and drama.
Tippy Chan is an eleven year old girl that loves Nancy Drew books, she lives with her mother in Riverstone, a small rural town In New Zealand.
When Tippy’s mother sets off for a holiday cruise, Uncle Pike from Sydney and his new flamboyant boyfriend Devon come to stay and look after Tippy. The banter between the two men will have you laughing out loud but thankfully all the sexual innuendo is not understood by innocent young Tippy.
When Tippy’s teacher is found murdered and one of Tippy’s best friends falls off a bridge and winds up in a coma, the trio decide to form a secret amateur detective club they call The Nancys to look into the murder and find the real killer. There’s an absolute riot as the trio try not to get themselves murdered or busted by Tippy’s mum.
Meanwhile with Uncle Pike being a stylist while Devon is a fashion designer they give the teen neighbour Melanie Brown a makeover when they discover she’s entering the Show Queen contest.
This was a delightfully fun and heartwarming read, I really enjoyed it and loved the characters. The sequel Nancy Business has just been released!
Thank you so much Allen & Unwin for the chance to win a copy of the book
November 30, 2020
This was such a fun read! Great characters and dialogue anchored by an intriguing small-town murder plot.
11-year-old Tippy Chan lives in (fictional) Riverstone in South Otago, New Zealand with her mum, her Dad having died suddenly some months earlier. When her mum wins a South Pacific cruise, Tippy's Uncle Pike and his boyfriend Devon fly in from Sydney to look after her.
And then the fun begins!
The bridge at Balclutha, South Otago, which bears a remarkable resemblance to fictional Riverstone's as described in The Nancys.
Tippy's horrible teacher, Ms. Everson, is found gruesomely murdered and the police seem to be having difficulty identifying a suspect. Tippy and her Uncle Pike are both big fans of Carolyn Keene's iconic Nancy Drew series, and along with the fabulous Devon, the three of them form a club called "The Nancys", and set about trying to gather clues and solve the mystery themselves. Along the way they reconnect with several of Uncle Pike's old friends (he left Riverstone as a young man), Devon buys up fabric and designs T-shirts, and they transform the gothic teen next door into a contender for South Otago A&P Show Queen.
The finalists from the actual Show Queen competition, South Otago A&P Show, Balclutha, NZ (2015)
There's great cultural satire, many laugh-out-loud moments, a lot of sexual innuendo and liberal use of expletives. Although the central character is 11, this is a book aimed at adult readers, not middle grades (that said, I read several appropriately censored paragraphs to my own mystery-loving 11-year-old, and she loved them!). The three central characters, in particular, are well-developed and three dimensional. Their dialogue is amazing and hilarious. Many of the supporting characters are more in the nature of stereotypes, but in a high camp mystery that seems not unreasonable.
While this was primarily an entertaining romp in rural NZ, there were moments of real pathos, and each of the characters undergoes their own catharsis over the course of the story.
Heartwarming, hilarious and highly recommended!
11-year-old Tippy Chan lives in (fictional) Riverstone in South Otago, New Zealand with her mum, her Dad having died suddenly some months earlier. When her mum wins a South Pacific cruise, Tippy's Uncle Pike and his boyfriend Devon fly in from Sydney to look after her.
And then the fun begins!
The bridge at Balclutha, South Otago, which bears a remarkable resemblance to fictional Riverstone's as described in The Nancys.
Tippy's horrible teacher, Ms. Everson, is found gruesomely murdered and the police seem to be having difficulty identifying a suspect. Tippy and her Uncle Pike are both big fans of Carolyn Keene's iconic Nancy Drew series, and along with the fabulous Devon, the three of them form a club called "The Nancys", and set about trying to gather clues and solve the mystery themselves. Along the way they reconnect with several of Uncle Pike's old friends (he left Riverstone as a young man), Devon buys up fabric and designs T-shirts, and they transform the gothic teen next door into a contender for South Otago A&P Show Queen.
The finalists from the actual Show Queen competition, South Otago A&P Show, Balclutha, NZ (2015)
There's great cultural satire, many laugh-out-loud moments, a lot of sexual innuendo and liberal use of expletives. Although the central character is 11, this is a book aimed at adult readers, not middle grades (that said, I read several appropriately censored paragraphs to my own mystery-loving 11-year-old, and she loved them!). The three central characters, in particular, are well-developed and three dimensional. Their dialogue is amazing and hilarious. Many of the supporting characters are more in the nature of stereotypes, but in a high camp mystery that seems not unreasonable.
While this was primarily an entertaining romp in rural NZ, there were moments of real pathos, and each of the characters undergoes their own catharsis over the course of the story.
Heartwarming, hilarious and highly recommended!
April 25, 2021
First of all, a huge apology to R.W.R McDonald for taking so long to read this! I bought this book when it came out and have finally read it. Why did I wait so long!! The Nancys is so much fun to read! I cannot wait for Nancy Business to come out later this year and I promise I will read it immediately.
Set in NZ, The Nancys is the story of 11 year old Pippy Chan, her gay uncle Pike and his partner Devon from Sydney. Pippy's mother has won a cruise so Pike and Devon have arrived in town to look after her. Her hometown of Riverstone is quiet and nothing exciting ever happens there. So when her school teacher is found murdered on the side of the road, Pippy, Pike and Devon use their love of Nancy Drew to form The Nancys and investigate the murder.
I absolutely loved Devon - the camp and flamboyant partner. So many laughs and innuendos! This is a fun and exciting read, a murder mystery with a difference. As a kid I love Nancy Drew and The Famous Five so I could relate to Pippy and her love of reading and mysteries, So much fun!
Set in NZ, The Nancys is the story of 11 year old Pippy Chan, her gay uncle Pike and his partner Devon from Sydney. Pippy's mother has won a cruise so Pike and Devon have arrived in town to look after her. Her hometown of Riverstone is quiet and nothing exciting ever happens there. So when her school teacher is found murdered on the side of the road, Pippy, Pike and Devon use their love of Nancy Drew to form The Nancys and investigate the murder.
I absolutely loved Devon - the camp and flamboyant partner. So many laughs and innuendos! This is a fun and exciting read, a murder mystery with a difference. As a kid I love Nancy Drew and The Famous Five so I could relate to Pippy and her love of reading and mysteries, So much fun!
July 4, 2019
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Highly commended for an Unpublished Manuscript in the 2017 Victorian Premier Literary Awards, The Nancys is the debut novel by New Zealand author R.W.R. McDonald. Snappy and snazzy, with the perfect blend of humour and mystery, The Nancys was a rollicking read from start to finish.
Taking charge of events in this affecting debut novel by R.W.R. McDonald, is the ever delightful Tippy Chan. A compelling eleven year old narrator, Tippy’s life changes when her flamboyant uncle and his boyfriend come to look after her while her mother is on a cruise. With a little help from super sleuth Nancy Drew, Tippy takes on the mystery of the recent death of her teacher. Reeling in help from her friends, Tippy forms a secret detective group, aptly named ‘The Nancys’. Soon things get out of hand when a series of events occur, jeopardising the safety of Tippy and The Nancys. It soon becomes a race against time to stop the killer and prevent the collapse of The Nancys. Who knew so much could happen in such a small town?
When I cast my mind back to my time as an eleven year old, I was a little like Tippy Chan, filled with wide eyed imagination and always thinking of elaborate ways to fill my days. I would have loved to be a part of The Nancys, the secret society in this book. What an adventure! Though I could do without some of the tricky binds and sticky situations Tippy and her crew get into! The Nancys was an utterly agreeable novel, entertaining me completely, from the first page to the last. The Nancys is also a book that balances out moments of consuming darkness, with hope. An ode to life itself, The Nancys reminds us that we all encounter situations of sadness and happiness on an everyday basis.
Child narrators have really come into their own in the last few years. There has been a real surge in novels written from an young adolescent’s point of view, as they learn to negotiate the world around them. I never seem to tire of this mode of storytelling. With the help of The Nancys, I enjoyed the experience of stepping back into my own treasured childhood, through the eyes of the young narrator. In the case of R.W.R. McDonald’s book, Tippy Chan was a fabulous guide. I think I have said this before in texts that utilise a child narrator as the main voice of the story, it must be incredibly hard for a writer to embody and capture the essence of this point of view. R.W.R. McDonald does this with sincerity and flair.
There are other players in this novel that work to support and compliment the unfolding story. From Tippy’s family, friends and other surrounding community members. each players in this novel stands out. A special mention must go to Tippy’s formidable Uncle Pike, a truly sensational character. I liked the way in which this figure had such a big impact on Tippy at a pivotal point in her life. He really was needed and the impression he leaves on his niece was a pleasure to take away from my experience of reading The Nancys.
The Nancys is a detective, or even small town mystery style novel. This thread of the book is juxtaposed with Tippy’s journey in dealing with the grief of the loss of her father. In many ways I saw The Nancys as a commentary on dealing with grief over the loss of a parent at a young age, as much as it was a puzzling mystery novel. There are plenty of plot roadblocks, twists and turns for the reader to contend with. The narrative meanders off in one direction and then pulls you to another. This is the beauty of books, they really are a fabulous form of entertainment!
*Thanks extended to Allen & Unwin for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
Highly commended for an Unpublished Manuscript in the 2017 Victorian Premier Literary Awards, The Nancys is the debut novel by New Zealand author R.W.R. McDonald. Snappy and snazzy, with the perfect blend of humour and mystery, The Nancys was a rollicking read from start to finish.
Taking charge of events in this affecting debut novel by R.W.R. McDonald, is the ever delightful Tippy Chan. A compelling eleven year old narrator, Tippy’s life changes when her flamboyant uncle and his boyfriend come to look after her while her mother is on a cruise. With a little help from super sleuth Nancy Drew, Tippy takes on the mystery of the recent death of her teacher. Reeling in help from her friends, Tippy forms a secret detective group, aptly named ‘The Nancys’. Soon things get out of hand when a series of events occur, jeopardising the safety of Tippy and The Nancys. It soon becomes a race against time to stop the killer and prevent the collapse of The Nancys. Who knew so much could happen in such a small town?
When I cast my mind back to my time as an eleven year old, I was a little like Tippy Chan, filled with wide eyed imagination and always thinking of elaborate ways to fill my days. I would have loved to be a part of The Nancys, the secret society in this book. What an adventure! Though I could do without some of the tricky binds and sticky situations Tippy and her crew get into! The Nancys was an utterly agreeable novel, entertaining me completely, from the first page to the last. The Nancys is also a book that balances out moments of consuming darkness, with hope. An ode to life itself, The Nancys reminds us that we all encounter situations of sadness and happiness on an everyday basis.
Child narrators have really come into their own in the last few years. There has been a real surge in novels written from an young adolescent’s point of view, as they learn to negotiate the world around them. I never seem to tire of this mode of storytelling. With the help of The Nancys, I enjoyed the experience of stepping back into my own treasured childhood, through the eyes of the young narrator. In the case of R.W.R. McDonald’s book, Tippy Chan was a fabulous guide. I think I have said this before in texts that utilise a child narrator as the main voice of the story, it must be incredibly hard for a writer to embody and capture the essence of this point of view. R.W.R. McDonald does this with sincerity and flair.
There are other players in this novel that work to support and compliment the unfolding story. From Tippy’s family, friends and other surrounding community members. each players in this novel stands out. A special mention must go to Tippy’s formidable Uncle Pike, a truly sensational character. I liked the way in which this figure had such a big impact on Tippy at a pivotal point in her life. He really was needed and the impression he leaves on his niece was a pleasure to take away from my experience of reading The Nancys.
The Nancys is a detective, or even small town mystery style novel. This thread of the book is juxtaposed with Tippy’s journey in dealing with the grief of the loss of her father. In many ways I saw The Nancys as a commentary on dealing with grief over the loss of a parent at a young age, as much as it was a puzzling mystery novel. There are plenty of plot roadblocks, twists and turns for the reader to contend with. The narrative meanders off in one direction and then pulls you to another. This is the beauty of books, they really are a fabulous form of entertainment!
*Thanks extended to Allen & Unwin for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
June 19, 2019
The Nancys is the first novel by New Zealand-born Australian author, R W R McDonald. While her mother is away on a two-week cruise, eleven-year-old Tippy Chan’s Uncle Pike is in Riverstone with his boyfriend, Devon, to keep an eye on her. Pike is expecting a boring time in South Otago, but mere days into his stay, one of Tippy’s friends, Todd Landers falls off the bridge over the River Clutha. Making their own entertainment is meant to include fun things like making-over for neighbour Melanie Brown for a Show Queen contest, not falling off a balcony and breaking an ankle. And certainly not a decapitated teacher.
While her best friend, Sam Chapman isn’t interested, Tippy is determined to solve this murder mystery, and her collection of Nancy Drew books (formerly the property of Uncle Pike) has given her an exceptional deductive intellect for a girl of her age. Devon is an enthusiastic participant, and christens the team The Nancys, although he often seems more interested in creating a Nancys logo T-shirt than solving a murder.
Unimpressed with police handling of the case, the Nancys do their professional best: they improvise a whiteboard to collate their information; they hunt down pertinent clues (and not a few red herrings); they (subtly or less so) question suspects, witnesses and anyone who can provide information they need. And finally, they have their man! (don’t they?)
With a primary cast that includes a heavily-tattooed Santa look-alike hair stylist, a camp fashion designer who talks in emojis and smart, brave pre-teen with initiative, it would be impossible to avoid an element of farce, especially when props like reindeer costumes, radical hair-dos, carved bars of soap substituting for mobile phones, mysterious origami flowers, an unusual necklace and crutches feature. A small-town A&P Show Queen contest adds to the silliness.
Underlying the murder mystery is Tippy’s own mystery of how and why her father died, and why her mother had removed all pictures of her husband and won’t talk about him. Tippy learns a bit about friendship, loyalty and trust, and a blame-the-messenger lesson, as kids try to do their best while some adults behave very badly.
The voice that McDonald gives Tippy is effortlessly authentic, and her innocent interpretation of the abundant innuendo that peppers the novel is often a source of humour. The liberal use of expletives and sexual euphemisms, and other inappropriate discussions to which Tippy is exposed, are possibly realistic given their socio-economic group, although it may make some readers uncomfortable. Undeniable, though, is that those closest to Tippy do care deeply about her. Moving and (often blackly) funny, this is a heart-warming read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Allen & Unwin.
While her best friend, Sam Chapman isn’t interested, Tippy is determined to solve this murder mystery, and her collection of Nancy Drew books (formerly the property of Uncle Pike) has given her an exceptional deductive intellect for a girl of her age. Devon is an enthusiastic participant, and christens the team The Nancys, although he often seems more interested in creating a Nancys logo T-shirt than solving a murder.
Unimpressed with police handling of the case, the Nancys do their professional best: they improvise a whiteboard to collate their information; they hunt down pertinent clues (and not a few red herrings); they (subtly or less so) question suspects, witnesses and anyone who can provide information they need. And finally, they have their man! (don’t they?)
With a primary cast that includes a heavily-tattooed Santa look-alike hair stylist, a camp fashion designer who talks in emojis and smart, brave pre-teen with initiative, it would be impossible to avoid an element of farce, especially when props like reindeer costumes, radical hair-dos, carved bars of soap substituting for mobile phones, mysterious origami flowers, an unusual necklace and crutches feature. A small-town A&P Show Queen contest adds to the silliness.
Underlying the murder mystery is Tippy’s own mystery of how and why her father died, and why her mother had removed all pictures of her husband and won’t talk about him. Tippy learns a bit about friendship, loyalty and trust, and a blame-the-messenger lesson, as kids try to do their best while some adults behave very badly.
The voice that McDonald gives Tippy is effortlessly authentic, and her innocent interpretation of the abundant innuendo that peppers the novel is often a source of humour. The liberal use of expletives and sexual euphemisms, and other inappropriate discussions to which Tippy is exposed, are possibly realistic given their socio-economic group, although it may make some readers uncomfortable. Undeniable, though, is that those closest to Tippy do care deeply about her. Moving and (often blackly) funny, this is a heart-warming read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Allen & Unwin.
May 7, 2019
This book threw me completely. I picked it up because I loved the Nancy Drew books and I love a small town murder mystery, but within the first three chapters I was thinking that this book wasn’t really for me. I wouldn’t think of myself as a prude, but there is a lot of crudity here. And the plot jumps around at the start, and it’s sometimes hard to work out what’s happening as we keep getting snippets of scenes rather than whole scenes. But despite this, I couldn’t put it down. I was up until midnight finishing it, and as I came to the end I realised that I had loved it. There were so many moments that made me laugh out loud:
“Why don’t we start off with something small, like a missing clock?”
“Who would steal a clock?”
“You know, like in the book. Nancy stole it.”
“Ah, that’s right. And then in the end she keeps it as a trophy.”
“Like a serial killer?”
The characters felt so real, the relationships were perfect, the emotions throughout the book were wonderful. I was completely in love with the three Nancys, totally absorbed in their lives and completely committed to their hunt for the killer. If you love Nancy Drew, if you love a small town murder mystery, if you love wonderful characters who will draw you in and make you believe that they are real people, this is the book for you. It is an all round good time.
“Why don’t we start off with something small, like a missing clock?”
“Who would steal a clock?”
“You know, like in the book. Nancy stole it.”
“Ah, that’s right. And then in the end she keeps it as a trophy.”
“Like a serial killer?”
The characters felt so real, the relationships were perfect, the emotions throughout the book were wonderful. I was completely in love with the three Nancys, totally absorbed in their lives and completely committed to their hunt for the killer. If you love Nancy Drew, if you love a small town murder mystery, if you love wonderful characters who will draw you in and make you believe that they are real people, this is the book for you. It is an all round good time.
June 14, 2021
I had heard a lot of good things about this book and decided I should read it and I was not sorry, although it took a bit for me to get over the language that is used a lot throughout, but once that happened I got into it quick smart and thoroughly enjoyed the witty banter and my trip to New Zealand sleuthing Nancy Drew style with eleven year old Tippy Chan, her uncle and his boyfriend.
Tippy lives with her mother Helen in a small town on New Zealand’s south island, it is nine months since she lost her father in a car accident but is coping well, she has two best friends Sam and Todd. With her mother winning a cruise her Uncle Pike and his boyfriend Devon are coming to look after her, Pike ran from his home as a teenager and is living in Sydney but is really looking forward to these two weeks with Tippy.
First her best friend Todd falls from a bridge and now Tippy’s school teacher is found murdered, what is happening in this quiet town? Tippy has always been a fan of Nancy Drew as has Pike and these three unlikely people become a team called The Nancys and are finding clues to this murder and it is getting a tad dangerous here and there but they never give up, even when Tippy’s mum arrives home and puts a stop to all of this sleuthing.
There is also the show queen contest going on and Pike and Devon are helping Tippy’s neighbour Melanie with make-up and design just their thing, Melanie turns out to be a great character and support for Tippy.
This is a fun story and a story about grief, told from Tippy’s point of view it had me swapping and changing who I thought the killer was till the end and cheering her on with her strength and never give up attitude no matter what was happening and I loved Tippy’s strong support of her friends, of course Pike and Devon are loads of fun as are the neighbours the Browns. I am now very much looking forward to the second book in the series and being back in New Zealand with The Nancys and getting to know these fabulous characters even better.
Tippy lives with her mother Helen in a small town on New Zealand’s south island, it is nine months since she lost her father in a car accident but is coping well, she has two best friends Sam and Todd. With her mother winning a cruise her Uncle Pike and his boyfriend Devon are coming to look after her, Pike ran from his home as a teenager and is living in Sydney but is really looking forward to these two weeks with Tippy.
First her best friend Todd falls from a bridge and now Tippy’s school teacher is found murdered, what is happening in this quiet town? Tippy has always been a fan of Nancy Drew as has Pike and these three unlikely people become a team called The Nancys and are finding clues to this murder and it is getting a tad dangerous here and there but they never give up, even when Tippy’s mum arrives home and puts a stop to all of this sleuthing.
There is also the show queen contest going on and Pike and Devon are helping Tippy’s neighbour Melanie with make-up and design just their thing, Melanie turns out to be a great character and support for Tippy.
This is a fun story and a story about grief, told from Tippy’s point of view it had me swapping and changing who I thought the killer was till the end and cheering her on with her strength and never give up attitude no matter what was happening and I loved Tippy’s strong support of her friends, of course Pike and Devon are loads of fun as are the neighbours the Browns. I am now very much looking forward to the second book in the series and being back in New Zealand with The Nancys and getting to know these fabulous characters even better.
July 17, 2019
I went to the launch of this book because it sounded like such a fun read and I was interested in meeting the author, also wine and cheese in a lovely bookshop on a cold Friday night and a fun book launch to boot! Why not! I couldn't wait to get stuck into this shocking pink book the cover of which is quite a statement. This is the tale of what happens in a small town over the course of a few weeks at Christmas time. Tippy Chan's mum has won a trip away on a cruise and while she is away her flamboyant, hairdresser to the stars, brother Uncle Pike and his even more fabulous, fashion designer partner, Devon, are coming to look after Tippy. It is going to be a wild ride!
Tippy's friend is in hospital in a coma, her rather nasty teacher is murdered, there are all kinds of weird things going on at the old hospital and the trio of Tippy, Pike and Devon are on the case, getting their Nancy Drew on. Investigating the murder, talking to the evil journalist, doing deals for information and sorting out the clues. There is a heap going on. Through it all Pike and Devon are unrelentingly fabulous and the innuendo flies thick and fast. Sometimes just a tad too much.
The clues to the murder are gradually revealed and the tension rises exponentially and Tippy gets closer and closer to finding the murderer and fitting all the pieces of the puzzle together.
The book has a great feel, the pace is excellent and it fair rocks along. There are lots of queer culture references and plenty of fun stuff in the side stories, particularly with the neighbours. Small town politics and grudges are all bought out into the open in this story. Those of us who are local will definitely recognise the setting as Balclutha, but renamed in this book as Riverstone. Not everything works in this novel, there is a lot on unnecessary banter and more than a few extraneous detail, but it is a fun romp with a big dose of heartfelt sadness. Tippy is delightful and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her.
Read it for a warm heartfelt mystery with a bunch of quirky characters and a nice change from unrelenting grim murders. This is a murder with lots of smiles.
Tippy's friend is in hospital in a coma, her rather nasty teacher is murdered, there are all kinds of weird things going on at the old hospital and the trio of Tippy, Pike and Devon are on the case, getting their Nancy Drew on. Investigating the murder, talking to the evil journalist, doing deals for information and sorting out the clues. There is a heap going on. Through it all Pike and Devon are unrelentingly fabulous and the innuendo flies thick and fast. Sometimes just a tad too much.
The clues to the murder are gradually revealed and the tension rises exponentially and Tippy gets closer and closer to finding the murderer and fitting all the pieces of the puzzle together.
The book has a great feel, the pace is excellent and it fair rocks along. There are lots of queer culture references and plenty of fun stuff in the side stories, particularly with the neighbours. Small town politics and grudges are all bought out into the open in this story. Those of us who are local will definitely recognise the setting as Balclutha, but renamed in this book as Riverstone. Not everything works in this novel, there is a lot on unnecessary banter and more than a few extraneous detail, but it is a fun romp with a big dose of heartfelt sadness. Tippy is delightful and I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her.
Read it for a warm heartfelt mystery with a bunch of quirky characters and a nice change from unrelenting grim murders. This is a murder with lots of smiles.
August 2, 2021
Make no mistake - despite having an adorable 11yo main character, this genre-bending murder mystery debut is for ADULTS ONLY!
In the small town of Riverstone on New Zealand's South Island, young Tippy Chan lives with her recently-widowed mother. To help with her grief, Helen is about to head off on a 9-day cruise in the lead up to Christmas. Uncle Pike flies over from Sydney with his new boyfriend, Devon, to look after Tippy while Helen's away. Although she doesn't see him in person very often, Tippy loves her uncle and they have maintained their relationship from a distance, partly bonded over a shared love of the Nancy Drew mystery books. Not long after Helen departs, Tippy's school teacher is murdered - quite gruesomely (honestly, those Riverstone folks should have been a lot more scared to go outdoors) - and the trio of Tippy, Pike and Devon decide to investigate. Highjinks and hilarity ensue.
One of the hallmarks of the style of this book is the fast-paced, often rather bawdy, banter between Pike and Devon (especially, but not exclusively). It was fun and funny, but also somewhat exhausting for me as a reader. The mystery kept me on my toes, although it could have done with trimming by about one-third. By the time the Nancys had worked out who the killer was, I needed a cup of tea, a Bex and a good lie down.
I have the next book in the series ready to go, but I think I will wait a little while to recover.
In the small town of Riverstone on New Zealand's South Island, young Tippy Chan lives with her recently-widowed mother. To help with her grief, Helen is about to head off on a 9-day cruise in the lead up to Christmas. Uncle Pike flies over from Sydney with his new boyfriend, Devon, to look after Tippy while Helen's away. Although she doesn't see him in person very often, Tippy loves her uncle and they have maintained their relationship from a distance, partly bonded over a shared love of the Nancy Drew mystery books. Not long after Helen departs, Tippy's school teacher is murdered - quite gruesomely (honestly, those Riverstone folks should have been a lot more scared to go outdoors) - and the trio of Tippy, Pike and Devon decide to investigate. Highjinks and hilarity ensue.
One of the hallmarks of the style of this book is the fast-paced, often rather bawdy, banter between Pike and Devon (especially, but not exclusively). It was fun and funny, but also somewhat exhausting for me as a reader. The mystery kept me on my toes, although it could have done with trimming by about one-third. By the time the Nancys had worked out who the killer was, I needed a cup of tea, a Bex and a good lie down.
I have the next book in the series ready to go, but I think I will wait a little while to recover.
May 13, 2020
I can't remember the last time I read a book where I laughed so frequently, so this a welcome change of pace!
Eleven-year-old Tippy Chan is being looked after by her Uncle Pike and his new boyfriend Devon while her mum is on a cruise. The small town of Riverstone doesn't really have much of interest, and Uncle Pike fled years ago. There's not much to do, nowhere really to go, though the trip to the fabric store provides a moment of excitement for Devon, who is a fashion designer. Within a short space of time however, one of Tippy's best friends is in a coma after falling from a bridge, Uncle Pike has broken his ankle, and Tippy's teacher has been murdered. Inspired by Tippy's love for her uncles old Nancy Drew books, the trio form a 'club', The Nancys, and begin sleulthing. At first it's just a game - Devon makes shirts with logos, they write clues on the window with permanent marker. But with the cops not interested in looking beyond the person they've already arrested, it soon becomes more serious.
I really enjoyed this. It's told from the perspective of a child, but probably isn't a children's book (though I think I would have loved it when I was younger - most of the sexual innuendos would have slipped by me) since there is so much swearing, and the previously mentioned innuendos. It had plenty of fun and light moments, but was quite dark too. I really appreciated the balance. There was a makeover subplot that I liked more than I had expected!
Tippy's dad has died recently, and Uncle Pike's attempts to see how she coping are heartwarming. By the end of this book I loved the core characters so much, was turning the pages rapidly to find out who the killer was, and also fondly reminiscing about Nancy Drew. I was quite sad to finish it. I look forward to reading whatever it might be that R.W.R. McDonald writes next.
Eleven-year-old Tippy Chan is being looked after by her Uncle Pike and his new boyfriend Devon while her mum is on a cruise. The small town of Riverstone doesn't really have much of interest, and Uncle Pike fled years ago. There's not much to do, nowhere really to go, though the trip to the fabric store provides a moment of excitement for Devon, who is a fashion designer. Within a short space of time however, one of Tippy's best friends is in a coma after falling from a bridge, Uncle Pike has broken his ankle, and Tippy's teacher has been murdered. Inspired by Tippy's love for her uncles old Nancy Drew books, the trio form a 'club', The Nancys, and begin sleulthing. At first it's just a game - Devon makes shirts with logos, they write clues on the window with permanent marker. But with the cops not interested in looking beyond the person they've already arrested, it soon becomes more serious.
I really enjoyed this. It's told from the perspective of a child, but probably isn't a children's book (though I think I would have loved it when I was younger - most of the sexual innuendos would have slipped by me) since there is so much swearing, and the previously mentioned innuendos. It had plenty of fun and light moments, but was quite dark too. I really appreciated the balance. There was a makeover subplot that I liked more than I had expected!
Tippy's dad has died recently, and Uncle Pike's attempts to see how she coping are heartwarming. By the end of this book I loved the core characters so much, was turning the pages rapidly to find out who the killer was, and also fondly reminiscing about Nancy Drew. I was quite sad to finish it. I look forward to reading whatever it might be that R.W.R. McDonald writes next.
May 28, 2023
I've said it before and I'll say it again. I adore books written from the point of view of a child narrator. I mean, it doesn't always work... the author has to nail their all-knowing childish innocence and their voice has to be authentic, but when that happens; it can be amazing.
Which is the case with this new release, The Nancys by RWR McDonald, set on New Zealand's south island.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
Which is the case with this new release, The Nancys by RWR McDonald, set on New Zealand's south island.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
August 31, 2022
I eagerly read this birthday present from my friend, Kerri and thank her! I cherish mail. Long-distance family & friends are with me as I open their parcels. We relate our reactions by e-mail.
I like mixed gender friends and respect same gender lovers. I miss my Mom, as Tippy Chen missed her Dad. Addiction sure does affect families. R.W.R McDonald should have let readers in on that soon enough to be impactful. My principal complaint is errors. If this was Helen Chen’s hometown and Sam’s folks were new, how was his Mom her best friend?
Melanie was recently acquainting her Grandma next door, after her Mom’s passing. R.W.R said the Chens, including the Dad, attended that funeral before his? Melanie told Tippy they should have alerted the Chens to her Dad’s problem a year prior? Melanie was too sour to smile but delivered a beauty pageant speech about her wonderful Grandma...
Uncle Pike was a beauty expert. Would a professional get white haired, unkempt, and fat enough to resemble Santa Claus? Devon was a stereotype so imbecile, if I flip to any of his dialogue, I can’t hack it. When he said “sad face”, I was out! Helen was the worst bitch, for dumping family photographs! Especially for your children, death has you savouring all photographs and positive things.
This author suited neither adults nor kids. A little raunchiness is fine but sex jibes sound juvenile quickly. Crudeness at Christmas, around an 11 year-old, was disgusting. I would prefer “The Nancys” if children solved mysteries. The only mature character was Tippy. I love her and eventually liked Uncle Pike. There was no “Nancy Drew” ode I could feel. That might be accomplished by emulating storylines fans recognize.
My breath held through genuinely suspenseful scenes. I commend R.W.R for quite original plots and motives; so multifaceted, I must think later to recollect them. One asset of not streamlining a genre is that readers cannot guess where we will land.
I like mixed gender friends and respect same gender lovers. I miss my Mom, as Tippy Chen missed her Dad. Addiction sure does affect families. R.W.R McDonald should have let readers in on that soon enough to be impactful. My principal complaint is errors. If this was Helen Chen’s hometown and Sam’s folks were new, how was his Mom her best friend?
Melanie was recently acquainting her Grandma next door, after her Mom’s passing. R.W.R said the Chens, including the Dad, attended that funeral before his? Melanie told Tippy they should have alerted the Chens to her Dad’s problem a year prior? Melanie was too sour to smile but delivered a beauty pageant speech about her wonderful Grandma...
Uncle Pike was a beauty expert. Would a professional get white haired, unkempt, and fat enough to resemble Santa Claus? Devon was a stereotype so imbecile, if I flip to any of his dialogue, I can’t hack it. When he said “sad face”, I was out! Helen was the worst bitch, for dumping family photographs! Especially for your children, death has you savouring all photographs and positive things.
This author suited neither adults nor kids. A little raunchiness is fine but sex jibes sound juvenile quickly. Crudeness at Christmas, around an 11 year-old, was disgusting. I would prefer “The Nancys” if children solved mysteries. The only mature character was Tippy. I love her and eventually liked Uncle Pike. There was no “Nancy Drew” ode I could feel. That might be accomplished by emulating storylines fans recognize.
My breath held through genuinely suspenseful scenes. I commend R.W.R for quite original plots and motives; so multifaceted, I must think later to recollect them. One asset of not streamlining a genre is that readers cannot guess where we will land.
June 4, 2021
I’ll be honest, as a preteen I much preferred Trixie Belden to Nancy Drew but I would leap at the chance to join The Nancy’s who feature in this delightful debut from New Zealand-born Australian author R.W.R McDonald.
Eleven year old Tippy Chan lives in a tiny town in South Otago. Her mother, Helen, a nurse at a local hospital, has won a two week cruise and so Tippy’s Uncle Pike, and his boyfriend Devon, have flown in from Sydney to look after her. It’s been a difficult year for Tippy after the death of her beloved father, and Tippy is a little anxious about her mother’s absence, increasingly so when first one of her best friend’s is badly injured in a fall from the town’s single lane bridge, and then her teacher’s naked headless body is discovered nearby. Tippy, a fan of the Nancy Drew mystery series, has the idea to investigate both incidents, a pursuit Pike and Devon indulge with a murder board written on a living room window in permanent texta, a mantra (Everyone’s a suspect), and matching t-shirts designed by Devon (after several attempts).
Calling themselves The Nancy’s, the three rely on their charm, insider’s knowledge (Pike grew up in Riverstone) of the town and its residents, and a little luck to try and solve the mystery but investigating a murder isn’t quite as easy as Nancy Drew makes it seem. The closer they get to finding the truth, the less Tippy is sure she really wants to know. I’m not sure how I feel about the mystery element of the novel, I thought the manner of death and the behaviour of the killer was unnecessarily outlandish, and it wasn’t as strong overall as I expected it to be, though it was satisfyingly resolved.
Whatever weakness there may be in the plot, I adored the main cast of The Nancy’s. Tippy is a delightful narrator - bright and quick, but still appropriately childish. She admires Nancy Drew for a number of reasons, so it’s no surprise she wants to emulate her. Still grieving the sudden loss of her father, the investigation is a way for her to gain some control over her life, and the things that scare her.
Uncle Pike, who looks like Santa Claus, only with tattoos, and Devon, described as Ken wearing Barbie, are outrageous characters with larger than life personalities. Irreverent, with a penchant for drink, swearing and innuendo, they are not really appropriate guardians for a child, but are warm, supportive, and fun which is exactly what Tippy needs. I found them absolutely hilarious, though I recognise their potential to offend.
There is variety in the supporting characters from elderly neighbours Mr and Mrs Brown and their granddaughter Melanie, an unctuous real estate agent, and a toothy tv presenter (who is also Pike’s ex-boyfriend), to a hard nosed journalist, a closeted policeman, and Tippy’s other best friend, Sam, and his family. The tiny community of Riverstone allows McDonald to explore the ironies of small town life, particularly as Pike and Devon make over goth girl Melanie to enter the annual beauty contest.
A murder mystery laced with mirth, The Nancy’s is a witty, warm, and wildly entertaining novel. I can’t wait to read about The Nancy’s next adventure in McDonald’s Nancy Business.
Eleven year old Tippy Chan lives in a tiny town in South Otago. Her mother, Helen, a nurse at a local hospital, has won a two week cruise and so Tippy’s Uncle Pike, and his boyfriend Devon, have flown in from Sydney to look after her. It’s been a difficult year for Tippy after the death of her beloved father, and Tippy is a little anxious about her mother’s absence, increasingly so when first one of her best friend’s is badly injured in a fall from the town’s single lane bridge, and then her teacher’s naked headless body is discovered nearby. Tippy, a fan of the Nancy Drew mystery series, has the idea to investigate both incidents, a pursuit Pike and Devon indulge with a murder board written on a living room window in permanent texta, a mantra (Everyone’s a suspect), and matching t-shirts designed by Devon (after several attempts).
Calling themselves The Nancy’s, the three rely on their charm, insider’s knowledge (Pike grew up in Riverstone) of the town and its residents, and a little luck to try and solve the mystery but investigating a murder isn’t quite as easy as Nancy Drew makes it seem. The closer they get to finding the truth, the less Tippy is sure she really wants to know. I’m not sure how I feel about the mystery element of the novel, I thought the manner of death and the behaviour of the killer was unnecessarily outlandish, and it wasn’t as strong overall as I expected it to be, though it was satisfyingly resolved.
Whatever weakness there may be in the plot, I adored the main cast of The Nancy’s. Tippy is a delightful narrator - bright and quick, but still appropriately childish. She admires Nancy Drew for a number of reasons, so it’s no surprise she wants to emulate her. Still grieving the sudden loss of her father, the investigation is a way for her to gain some control over her life, and the things that scare her.
Uncle Pike, who looks like Santa Claus, only with tattoos, and Devon, described as Ken wearing Barbie, are outrageous characters with larger than life personalities. Irreverent, with a penchant for drink, swearing and innuendo, they are not really appropriate guardians for a child, but are warm, supportive, and fun which is exactly what Tippy needs. I found them absolutely hilarious, though I recognise their potential to offend.
There is variety in the supporting characters from elderly neighbours Mr and Mrs Brown and their granddaughter Melanie, an unctuous real estate agent, and a toothy tv presenter (who is also Pike’s ex-boyfriend), to a hard nosed journalist, a closeted policeman, and Tippy’s other best friend, Sam, and his family. The tiny community of Riverstone allows McDonald to explore the ironies of small town life, particularly as Pike and Devon make over goth girl Melanie to enter the annual beauty contest.
A murder mystery laced with mirth, The Nancy’s is a witty, warm, and wildly entertaining novel. I can’t wait to read about The Nancy’s next adventure in McDonald’s Nancy Business.
September 6, 2019
An absolute delight from the very start, The Nancys took me back to my days of obsessively devouring crime fiction. Not only is it a good old fashioned murder mystery of the exact kind I have always loved, but it possesses a genuine warmth and laugh-out-loud humour not often associated with the genre. I'll avoid any plot description so I don't stumble into spoiler territory but, gotta say, I loved it.
November 4, 2023
A really enjoyable small town murder mystery with an eleven year old Nancy Drew fan plus her uncle and his boyfriend (The Nancys) as the crime solving team. There’s a lot of laugh out loud moments as the banter goes over the head of the younger characters along with some darker issues. My only criticism is it was too long for me, the crude innuendo is a bit much for nearly 400pages.
June 17, 2019
Hands up those of us who thought we'd grow up to be Nancy Drew, although I will confess I was more in the Trixie Belden camp. But those books, The Secret Seven, The Famous Five and the Three Investigators series probably had a lot to do with anybody around our age addicted to mysteries, thrillers and crime fiction. Although I doubt anybody quite expected the homage that is THE NANCYS by Kiwi-Australian writer R.W.R. McDonald. And potential readers should be warned - this is not a book you'd be giving to your average 8 year old. Unless you're of a particularly broad mind and even then you may find yourself in some complicated explanation situations.
THE NANCYS, in short, is the story of when 11 year old Tippy Chan, Uncle Pike and his new boyfriend Devon solve a murder in the small New Zealand town in which Tippy and her mother Helen (Pike's sister) live. It's the same town where Pike grew up, the town he left as a young man, thinking his sexuality wasn't small town living compatible. It's the town where Helen married and lived with Tippy's father until his recent death, and now, after Helen has headed off on a much needed vacation, Tippy, Pike and Devon (henceforth known as The Nancys) investigate the violent murder of Tippy's teacher, and the accident that put one of her best friends in hospital, in a coma.
THE NANCYS is part detective story, part family saga, part small-town expose, with a hefty dose of extrovert gay culture and introvert or flat out odd local behaviour. There's the weirdo's next door, the local beauty pageant, an empty house and a pushy real-estate agent, the derelict hospital, the single traffic light (where the body was found), the problems in keeping in touch via Skype from an ocean going cruise, a young girl struggling with the reasons behind her beloved father's death and her mother's anger, the dive off a bridge taken by her friend that put him in the coma, her best friend and his family, the girl next door, the weirdness of the town, and nail polish in bright colours. It's over the top, it's reeking with banter and in-jokes, it's slightly smutty, slightly absurd, often times a little repetitive, and it's funny. It's definitely not subtle funny, sometimes it's hilarious funny, at other time's it's going to make you squirm. Individually the three main characters here, The Nancys, are interesting and together they are a sort of slightly off colour, slightly weird group of colleagues, with very unusual workplace conditions. Tippy, Pike and Helen however are a classic family grouping with tensions, and aggravations and love and support and a strong desire to kill each other at points. The affection that Tippy has for her Uncle Pike is immediately obvious, and it's touching the way that she connects to, and worries about Devon's role in her life into the future.
This isn't classic crime fiction pacing though, so settle in for a lot of byways, highways, and laneways. You'll be working through a fair bit of set up, and you'll be reading a lot about pasts and futures, about life in a small town when you're not one of the same, when it might appear that small towns have their own array of "not the same" as most other locations.
At the core of it though, this is character driven and Tippy's very engaging, Uncle Pike's funny and caring and Devon can bring his design stylings to our neck of the woods any day he likes. In the end THE NANCYS solve the crime, give the girl a chance to work through the highs and lows of life, and keep friends reasonably close. It's a mystery, wrapped up in a family rubbing along, in a small town where everyone's an individual, except they aren't.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
THE NANCYS, in short, is the story of when 11 year old Tippy Chan, Uncle Pike and his new boyfriend Devon solve a murder in the small New Zealand town in which Tippy and her mother Helen (Pike's sister) live. It's the same town where Pike grew up, the town he left as a young man, thinking his sexuality wasn't small town living compatible. It's the town where Helen married and lived with Tippy's father until his recent death, and now, after Helen has headed off on a much needed vacation, Tippy, Pike and Devon (henceforth known as The Nancys) investigate the violent murder of Tippy's teacher, and the accident that put one of her best friends in hospital, in a coma.
THE NANCYS is part detective story, part family saga, part small-town expose, with a hefty dose of extrovert gay culture and introvert or flat out odd local behaviour. There's the weirdo's next door, the local beauty pageant, an empty house and a pushy real-estate agent, the derelict hospital, the single traffic light (where the body was found), the problems in keeping in touch via Skype from an ocean going cruise, a young girl struggling with the reasons behind her beloved father's death and her mother's anger, the dive off a bridge taken by her friend that put him in the coma, her best friend and his family, the girl next door, the weirdness of the town, and nail polish in bright colours. It's over the top, it's reeking with banter and in-jokes, it's slightly smutty, slightly absurd, often times a little repetitive, and it's funny. It's definitely not subtle funny, sometimes it's hilarious funny, at other time's it's going to make you squirm. Individually the three main characters here, The Nancys, are interesting and together they are a sort of slightly off colour, slightly weird group of colleagues, with very unusual workplace conditions. Tippy, Pike and Helen however are a classic family grouping with tensions, and aggravations and love and support and a strong desire to kill each other at points. The affection that Tippy has for her Uncle Pike is immediately obvious, and it's touching the way that she connects to, and worries about Devon's role in her life into the future.
This isn't classic crime fiction pacing though, so settle in for a lot of byways, highways, and laneways. You'll be working through a fair bit of set up, and you'll be reading a lot about pasts and futures, about life in a small town when you're not one of the same, when it might appear that small towns have their own array of "not the same" as most other locations.
At the core of it though, this is character driven and Tippy's very engaging, Uncle Pike's funny and caring and Devon can bring his design stylings to our neck of the woods any day he likes. In the end THE NANCYS solve the crime, give the girl a chance to work through the highs and lows of life, and keep friends reasonably close. It's a mystery, wrapped up in a family rubbing along, in a small town where everyone's an individual, except they aren't.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
September 23, 2019
Some of the characters were likeable and some parts were amusing but the whole thing read like a mediocre YA novel. A grown man writing as an eleven year old girl didn’t work for me. It was drawn out and far-fetched, and felt over-explained with some plot holes. The innuendos got pretty tiring. Very predictable with a lacklustre ending.
August 6, 2019
This was truly awful, and the more I think about it the more I dislike it. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone and I don't know what Allen & Unwin were thinking. It's not literary fiction, it's not crime fiction, and it's not even good YA. The writing was clunky with too much dialogue and zero character development or depth. To add insult to injury the actual crime solving part of the story is so chock full of holes, that jahlsberg want their cheese back. Don't buy, don't borrow, don't go near this book.
February 1, 2024
The Nancys is a cozy crime story set in Southern New Zealand about a young girl investigating a murder with the help of her jolly gay uncle and bis boisterous boyfriend. It came highly recommended by my book club, so perhaps my expectations were too high, but while I enjoyed it, it wasn’t as funny as expected - or maybe I just don’t enjoy this smutty type of humour…
Eleven year old Tippy is being left in the care of her uncle Pike, who has travelled from Sydney to a small South Otago town with his boyfriend Devon to look after her while her recently widowed mother goes on a much needed holiday.
Bonding over a shared love of the Nancy Drew mysteries, they form their own crime-solving club when Tippy’s teacher is murdered.
This is all told from Tippy’s first person point of view, and admittedly her naive misinterpretation of comments made by the grown-ups was pretty funny, but then the joke wore thin with repetition. The story is actually quite dark in places - Tippy’s friend is in a coma, her father died in tragic circumstances and her mother is struggling, but then there is an overload of stereotyped silliness and cliches about gay men. The dialogue was not realistic at all and the mystery rather predictable. I’ve got the sequel on the shelf so may give it a go but need to read some better books first. 3.5rounded down for language inappropriate for a cozy/YA story.
Eleven year old Tippy is being left in the care of her uncle Pike, who has travelled from Sydney to a small South Otago town with his boyfriend Devon to look after her while her recently widowed mother goes on a much needed holiday.
Bonding over a shared love of the Nancy Drew mysteries, they form their own crime-solving club when Tippy’s teacher is murdered.
This is all told from Tippy’s first person point of view, and admittedly her naive misinterpretation of comments made by the grown-ups was pretty funny, but then the joke wore thin with repetition. The story is actually quite dark in places - Tippy’s friend is in a coma, her father died in tragic circumstances and her mother is struggling, but then there is an overload of stereotyped silliness and cliches about gay men. The dialogue was not realistic at all and the mystery rather predictable. I’ve got the sequel on the shelf so may give it a go but need to read some better books first. 3.5rounded down for language inappropriate for a cozy/YA story.
August 9, 2019
The Nancys is a very entertaining light read.
It is probably more of a 3.7, bumped it up to a 4 even though there are many other 4s on my list that I would rate higher than this.
Still, it's unlike anything else I've read before.
Not many novels are set in a small country town in present day NZ, where two gay men sashay in from Sydney to look after their delightful 11 year old niece, while their Mother takes a much needed break on a cruise.
Told from Tippy Chan's POV. She's the 11 year old niece, been through a bit recently with the death of her beloved Dad.
Tippy and her hilarious camp Uncles form an amateur detective club, The Nancys, and start on on a local murder-mystery investigation, Nancy Drew style. Much hilarity ensues with gay innuendo flung about all over the place.
Yep, a terrific read, hope to see much more of it from this Author.
This work was highly commended in the 2019 unpublished manuscript award at the prestigious Victorian Premiers Award, Australia.
It is probably more of a 3.7, bumped it up to a 4 even though there are many other 4s on my list that I would rate higher than this.
Still, it's unlike anything else I've read before.
Not many novels are set in a small country town in present day NZ, where two gay men sashay in from Sydney to look after their delightful 11 year old niece, while their Mother takes a much needed break on a cruise.
Told from Tippy Chan's POV. She's the 11 year old niece, been through a bit recently with the death of her beloved Dad.
Tippy and her hilarious camp Uncles form an amateur detective club, The Nancys, and start on on a local murder-mystery investigation, Nancy Drew style. Much hilarity ensues with gay innuendo flung about all over the place.
Yep, a terrific read, hope to see much more of it from this Author.
This work was highly commended in the 2019 unpublished manuscript award at the prestigious Victorian Premiers Award, Australia.
May 9, 2019
Tippy Chan is my kind of girl. Slightly damaged, smarter than your average bear, and unflinchingly accepting of "alternative" lifestyles. I, too, had a thing for crime at that age, so I love that Pike and Devon not only participate but encourage her amateur sleuthing.
Speaking of Pike and Devon, I think they were just a tiny bit over the top and didn't quite fit seamlessly with the rest of the novel. They did, however, provide some really sweet moments between them, Tippy and Helen. I think they're also there to serve as a reminder that mums like Helen aren't always straightlaced and have their own complex personalities underneath.
Enjoyable but I feel like some of it was a little too adult for Tippy's first-person narration, especially since she hasn't seen Pike for a while and therefore probably wouldn't be so used to his flamboyancy/crudeness.
Speaking of Pike and Devon, I think they were just a tiny bit over the top and didn't quite fit seamlessly with the rest of the novel. They did, however, provide some really sweet moments between them, Tippy and Helen. I think they're also there to serve as a reminder that mums like Helen aren't always straightlaced and have their own complex personalities underneath.
Enjoyable but I feel like some of it was a little too adult for Tippy's first-person narration, especially since she hasn't seen Pike for a while and therefore probably wouldn't be so used to his flamboyancy/crudeness.
September 9, 2019
The Nancy
by R.W.R. Mcdonald
Tippy Chan is eleven and lives in Riverstone a small town in a very quiet part of the world - the place her Uncle Pike escaped from the first chance he got as a teenager. Now Pike is back with his new boyfriend Devon to look after Tippy while her mum's on a cruise.
I recognized instantly that Riverstone was Balcultha a small town south of Dunedin where I went to primary school. That small element drew me into the story as the stories landscape and its citizens and their attitudes and way of life were very familiar to me.
Tippy's father has just passed away and Pike and Devon help her come to terms with that. Tippy is in love with her uncle's old Nancy Drew books, especially the early ones where Nancy is sixteen and did whatever she wanted.
She wants to be Nancy and is desperate to solve a real mystery. When her teacher's body is found beside Riverstone's only traffic light, Tippy's moment has arrived. She and her minders form The Nancys, a secret amateur detective club.
But what starts as a bonding and sightseeing adventure quickly morphs into something far more dangerous. A wrongful arrest, a close call with the murderer, and an intervention from Tippy's mum all conspire against The Nancys. But regardless of their own safety, and despite the constant distraction of questionable fashion choices in the town that style forgot, The Nancy's know only they can stop the killer from striking again.
The book has a great read and a fantastic debut for the author. Hopefully this is not a stand alone title and we get another installment. I really loved how he took jabs at bigotry and small town politics and showed it for all to see. This book was an absolute delight. My advice ignore the cover its off putting, but the story within is well worth the read. Think Graeme Norton's books but with a young protagonist with two quirky sidekicks.5 stars
by R.W.R. Mcdonald
Tippy Chan is eleven and lives in Riverstone a small town in a very quiet part of the world - the place her Uncle Pike escaped from the first chance he got as a teenager. Now Pike is back with his new boyfriend Devon to look after Tippy while her mum's on a cruise.
I recognized instantly that Riverstone was Balcultha a small town south of Dunedin where I went to primary school. That small element drew me into the story as the stories landscape and its citizens and their attitudes and way of life were very familiar to me.
Tippy's father has just passed away and Pike and Devon help her come to terms with that. Tippy is in love with her uncle's old Nancy Drew books, especially the early ones where Nancy is sixteen and did whatever she wanted.
She wants to be Nancy and is desperate to solve a real mystery. When her teacher's body is found beside Riverstone's only traffic light, Tippy's moment has arrived. She and her minders form The Nancys, a secret amateur detective club.
But what starts as a bonding and sightseeing adventure quickly morphs into something far more dangerous. A wrongful arrest, a close call with the murderer, and an intervention from Tippy's mum all conspire against The Nancys. But regardless of their own safety, and despite the constant distraction of questionable fashion choices in the town that style forgot, The Nancy's know only they can stop the killer from striking again.
The book has a great read and a fantastic debut for the author. Hopefully this is not a stand alone title and we get another installment. I really loved how he took jabs at bigotry and small town politics and showed it for all to see. This book was an absolute delight. My advice ignore the cover its off putting, but the story within is well worth the read. Think Graeme Norton's books but with a young protagonist with two quirky sidekicks.5 stars
June 30, 2019
Wow! Just finished McDonald's book this very minute after binge reading all week-end. And the last few pages made me cry. I still have wet eyes. So I had to open the computer and instantly write a review - while the emotion was strong. Because people need to read this beautiful, spirited, generous book. There are so many life lessons to take away. Despite the obvious style difference, there is an innocence and truth that in some ways reminded me of To Kill a Mockingbird.
The idea that loved ones who've died, might have acted in bad ways we don't understand; that this behaviour should not define them for us - this message resonated so much with me. And no it wasn't the only concept the author was exploring but it's the one that made the most significant impact.
She pointed to Dad in the picture. "This is your dad. This man right here."
The emotions most of McDonald's authentic dialogue stirs up run the full gamut - from laugh out loud hilarity, to fury on behalf of the characters, to recognition and finally this... An understanding for the audience that no matter what other people might say, or think, we need to remain true to our recollections and beliefs about friends and family. We need to trust ourselves and remain true to who we are.
The other powerful impression laying with me right now are the characters. Don't I wish all people on earth were as good and wise as Tippy Chan and her uncles? Brave and honest and funny. Reading about their adventures made me feel SO good. No room for sadness really.
And such a satisfying read! I knew, I trusted that the author would make everything turn out okay and he did. This book was a mix of the greatest of my childhood reading and the finest I've read as an adult. Thank you so much RWR McDonald.
And yep I truly gushed in this review and am wholly unrepentant.
The idea that loved ones who've died, might have acted in bad ways we don't understand; that this behaviour should not define them for us - this message resonated so much with me. And no it wasn't the only concept the author was exploring but it's the one that made the most significant impact.
She pointed to Dad in the picture. "This is your dad. This man right here."
The emotions most of McDonald's authentic dialogue stirs up run the full gamut - from laugh out loud hilarity, to fury on behalf of the characters, to recognition and finally this... An understanding for the audience that no matter what other people might say, or think, we need to remain true to our recollections and beliefs about friends and family. We need to trust ourselves and remain true to who we are.
The other powerful impression laying with me right now are the characters. Don't I wish all people on earth were as good and wise as Tippy Chan and her uncles? Brave and honest and funny. Reading about their adventures made me feel SO good. No room for sadness really.
And such a satisfying read! I knew, I trusted that the author would make everything turn out okay and he did. This book was a mix of the greatest of my childhood reading and the finest I've read as an adult. Thank you so much RWR McDonald.
And yep I truly gushed in this review and am wholly unrepentant.
August 5, 2019
Thanks to Allen & Unwin for my ARC.
Unfortunately I thought this was really poorly written. I rarely don’t finish books, but I would have been sorely tempted with this one, if it hadn’t been sent to me as an ARC. As it was, I felt compelled to finish it, but by about halfway through, I thought it would be a waste of my time, and I was correct.
It was an interesting premise, and I liked that it was set near Dunedin, NZ. Sadly, however, the writing was clumsy, with things not being fully explained, I felt at times as though I was surrounded by people talking about “in” jokes that I wasn’t part of, the characters felt immature and one-dimensional, and it was crude with bad language and vulgar jokes and references. As I neared the end, I realised the plot felt pretty flimsy as well.
I think that it could have been a really interesting story with a more judicious use of an editor’s red pen, much less swearing and vulgarity (and really, the main character is an 11-year-old - there’s absolutely no need for either in this situation), and more fully developed characters and scenarios.
Unfortunately I thought this was really poorly written. I rarely don’t finish books, but I would have been sorely tempted with this one, if it hadn’t been sent to me as an ARC. As it was, I felt compelled to finish it, but by about halfway through, I thought it would be a waste of my time, and I was correct.
It was an interesting premise, and I liked that it was set near Dunedin, NZ. Sadly, however, the writing was clumsy, with things not being fully explained, I felt at times as though I was surrounded by people talking about “in” jokes that I wasn’t part of, the characters felt immature and one-dimensional, and it was crude with bad language and vulgar jokes and references. As I neared the end, I realised the plot felt pretty flimsy as well.
I think that it could have been a really interesting story with a more judicious use of an editor’s red pen, much less swearing and vulgarity (and really, the main character is an 11-year-old - there’s absolutely no need for either in this situation), and more fully developed characters and scenarios.
June 6, 2019
Well, that was an unexpected delight! Not entirely unexpected, to be honest: for full disclosure, I requested this as an ARC from A&U and they graciously sent through an early copy. McDonald achieves a rare thing in The Nancys, combining the youthful inquisitiveness of a Nancy Drew mystery (hence the title) with the conventions of a modern murder mystery and a healthy dose of quick-witted and often self-deprecating Antipodean humour. The result is a group of characters that you enjoy spending time with, so much so that you wouldn’t mind if they ever solved the mystery. McDonald has all the makings of a franchise character here, but if this is to be a standalone then here’s hoping he’s got more in the pipeline of a similar vein.
October 15, 2019
Tippy Chan is 11 years old and living in small town New Zealand with her Mum. She’s inherited a love of Nancy Drew from her Uncle Pike who escaped from Riverstone to Sydney as soon as he could leave home. When Tippy’s Mum goes on a cruise, Uncle Pike and his partner Devon come and look after Tippy, bringing laughter, colour and sparkle into Tippy’s life at a time when she’s coming to terms with losing her Dad. They form The Nancys when Tippy’s teacher is found murdered next to Riverstone’s only traffic light. This is a delightful, entertaining story told through Tippy’s voice about loss, forgiveness and building your own family.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 308 reviews