The Peacock Detectives

by Carly Nugent

Perfect for fans of The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street and Waiting for Normal, this charming middle grade mystery is full of heart, humor, and more than a few surprises.

Eleven-turning-twelve-year-old Cassie is an expert Peacock Detective.

Her sharp eye for details is why the Hudsons from across the street call her every time their pet peacocks wander away.

But there are some things even the greatest Peacock Detective can’t figure out, like why her best friend is so angry lately; why her older sister is cutting her hair off; or why her parents are acting like they don’t know each other anymore.

Cassie is an expert at solving things. But what’s a master detective to do when her whole world is changing, and all the answers are out of reach?

Genres: Middle Grade, Mystery, Childrens, Family, Audiobook, Contemporary, Friendship

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 14, 2020

Reviews

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four and a half stars.
Cassie Anderson is eleven years old. She lives with her mother, father and sister Diana who is fourteen. One particular Saturday two things happen, the peacocks from across the road go missing and Cassie decided to write a story. As she notices clues about William Shakespeare and Virginia, the missing peacocks, Cassie also notices many things about her own family. She tries to make sense of what she finds out by writing everything down and ends up with a lot of questions about what is really going on in her family.
This book was shortlisted for the Text Prize and it’s not hard to see why. Cassie’s voice is articulate and engaging as she seeks to unravel the puzzles of her family and friends. While telling her story Cassie also gives lots of hints for would be writers. She is aided in her quest to find the peacocks and the truth about her family which seems to elude her, by her friend Jonas. Jonas collects assorted, and at times unrelated, facts and shares them at various times. He makes an interesting foil for Cassie. Jonas also has his own questions about family he wants resolved.
The setting is a smallish town in rural Victoria which has a combined primary and high school. From its colourful cover and its engaging voice, this book is a charming read. Although it deals with fairly heavy issues regarding family and problems faced, it does so in a gentle way that makes it a good read for thoughtful readers in the 9-12 age group. While it is a long time since I have been in that age range, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and thought it was beautifully done and would definitely recommend it. It would be a great book for teachers or parents to read along with their children as it could open lots of areas for discussion. As well as being useful for that, it is a delightful, fun read that left me smiling.
Thanks to Text Publishing for my copy of this great book to read and review.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Autumn by the river feels slippery, and almost-but-not-quite cold. It sometimes feels dark, too, because in autumn we put the clocks back, so when it’s five o’clock it’s really six o’clock, and there’s less daylight. It’s the reverse of daylight savings. It is daylight spendings.”

The Peacock Detectives is the first novel by prize-winning Australian author, Carly Nugent. When William Shakespeare and Virginia go missing, Mr and Mrs Hudson engage the services of eleven-going-on-twelve-year-old Cassie Andersen to find them. William Shakespeare and Virginia are ornamental peacocks and Cassie has a reputation for being able to find lost things. She notes down all her observations in her Notebook for Noticing, but the birds are proving difficult to track down.

Cassie enlists the help of her best friend Jonas, but is distracted from her investigation by things that are happening at home: Mum is forever busy cooking up strange dishes from her night course; older sister, Diana has gone vegetarian and is into Buddhist meditation; her Grandpa is mysteriously absent from church and tired all the time; and Dad is behaving a little strangely and seems to be filling the cupboards with little boxes.

Cassie thinks she and Jonas make a great team because she knows stories and he knows scientific facts, which he regularly shares: “Did you know vultures help prevent diseases from spreading?” and “Did you know Greece is one of the biggest producers of sponges?” and “Did you know if a shark stops swimming it will die?” (Sharks are Jonas’s favourite things).

Through it all, Cassie is keeping detailed notes, because Cassie is a writer, and this is a story she intends to tell. Dad is an English teacher, and encourages her to note events and dialogue, and to think about a theme. But what she notes down, especially about her family, often leaves her with more questions than answers.

This is a book some quirky characters and some very ordinary ones (a bit like life, really) who deal with the everyday challenges that make up life. Cassie is a truly likeable character with a genuinely good heart who manages to mature and gain some insight over the months it takes her to finally catch those elusive peacocks. Cassie’s eleven-year-old voice feels authentic: at times, childishly naïve, at times, incredibly perceptive.

Aimed at a reading age of 9+, this story covers themes of mental illness, adoption, marriage breakdown, terminal illness, bullying and friendship in a sensitive and age-appropriate manner. It is easy to see why this little book won the Readings Children’s Book Prize and was shortlisted for the Text Prize. The illustrations by Sophie Beer are a charming enhancement to this warm and heartfelt tale that need not be limited to children.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Text Publishing.

[Text Publishing]

‘A tender and heartfelt story.’
Martine Murray

‘Nugent gently explores issues of depression…and brings the whole adventure satisfyingly around with a delightful peacock discovery.’
SA Weekend

‘Heartfelt and funny…Carly Nugent’s debut is a lively and generous story that acknowledges the powerful feelings of its readers, and the space they occupy in the world.’
Books+Publishing

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a heart-wrenching tale of Cassie, who is on the hunt for missing peacocks, and on her search, finds her family and town are crumbling around her. I really enjoyed this tale, which I won thanks to the generosity of the publishers Text Publishing.
I found The Peacock Detectives to be a mix of The Curious Incident Of the Dog in the Night Time and Lemony Snicket but it worked. Aimed at upper primary school children, it packs a punch with some serious themes: family breakdown, mental health, bullying, death, among others.
But it was certainly a good read and enjoyable for all ages. And it may help you write your own story in the process.

[Amy Ingalls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer looks like bright blue skies and sounds like buzzing bees. Summer smells like cut grass and tastes like popsicles, and feels like swimming in the river.

This book was so good. I own a million books and don't have a lot of space, so for the last few years I have been immediately donating a book as soon as I finish reading it.

I am keeping this one.

Cassie's voice, the style of writing, the deep themes, the whimsy-- I simple love everything about it and would gladly teach this novel to my middle school students.

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

[Mila · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 stars

This was a charming story that revolved around family and mental health, the writing was very easy-going and enjoyable and I liked all the different characters. It was just a lovely book that made me feel great inside.

[Christine Indorf · Rating 3 out of 5]

An actual 2.5 star book.
Cassie is a self declared detective. Her newest job is to find the missing neighborhood peacocks. During her search her life is changing, her mom is moving out, her Dad is depressed, her sister has become a Buddest, and her Grandfather is dying. Her family says she’s to young to understand, but she understands perfectly. How can she help her family? Can her life ever go back to normal?
I have one word to describe this book, depressing!! I skimmed the last few chapters because I couldn’t take anymore depressing material. I felt so sorry for Cassie. How it didn’t effect her more than it did is a shock to me!! I really felt down reading this book!! I wouldn’t recommend this book, especially for middle graders!! So unfortunate I did have high hopes for this book!!

[Jenelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet middle level book. It took me until “Those Days” to get into the book, but then I loved how the author developed the main character, Cassie.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

My feelings about this book strongly suffered by it not being the story I thought I was going into... I was expecting a cute mystery - what I got was an exploration of mental health, marriage breakdown, and depression from the eyes of an interesting narrator. Not to mention the issues of: adoption(!), coming-of-age, family secrets, runaways, and snakes! It was all a little much for me, and not at all what I was expecting. Others might enjoy it more, but know that this book is in no way a mystery novel.

[Cardi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read Harder 2021 Challenge #9 : read a middle grade mystery.

Okay, I did not expect to feel so many feelings in fulfilling this particular challenge!

Cassie is 11 going on 12. She's in grade six and lives with her family in a rural Victorian town. Cassie is trying to find two missing peacocks (William Shakespeare and Virginia!) and also trying to figure out what is really going on with her family, who, it becomes increasingly clear, are a family in crisis.

The writing is excellent and the cover and internal illustrations are lovely (they're by one of my favourite children's book illustrators, Sophie Beer). It's clear why this book won the Readings Children's Book Prize. 😀

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of a missing peaccock and peahen.

But, that is really a minor part of the story. The author, the narrator, is well aware of how she wants to tell this story, of a year in her life, and though she tries to make it about the peacocks, it really is about friendship, and mean girls, and unhappy fathers, and her total inability to see what is going on before it happens.

So, even though the peacocks turned out to not be as important to the story, the people who do appear in the story, you do feel for.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Text Publishing for the copy of this book. The book is aimed at upper primary school children but can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
It is a story of Cassie and her search for the missing peacocks. It also includes real life family issues that she encounters in her life and that of her friends.
An enjoyable read.

[Kylie Purdie · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many themes! (Cassie would be pleased I found some!) - Depression, family break-up, death, religious beliefs, adoption, socio-economic disadvantage - a ton! However it didn't feel over crammed with them. The story flowed along and these things happened. Cassie didn't name them us such, but she observed, she watched and she thought about what was going on around her.
At times I found the writing a bit clunky and although I think that was deliberate to give it the feeling of having been written by a child, I did find it distracting at times.
In the end a lovely book and well worth it's inclusion on the Australian Children's Book Council 2019 shortlist for Younger Readers.

[Darcey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance reader's copy of this book thanks to Goodreads Giveaways. Finally, finally, got around to reading it and...I did not expect to find my own heart inside a kid's book. Surprisingly sophisticated, it delicately shares pains and joys that both children and adults often experience in their lives. Nugent's story lovingly brushes aside the stigma and fear around parental discord, identity, bullying, and depression. It's a lot to cover but it's all there in one sweet story.

Here is the section that got me right, deep inside, because it's been in there a good many years of my life.

"Whenever anybody I know thinks about me the thought in their head looks like this:

Cassie = Writer

And if I told people that some days I hate writing, the thought in their heads when they think of me would look like this:

Cassie =

Which is a very unbalanced thought, and it makes me feel like I'm sitting on a seesaw with no one at the other end.

Sometimes I think about changing this equation so that when people think of me they see something else on the other side of the equals sign instead of Writer. Like:

Cassie = Scientist

or

Cassie = Chef

or

Cassie = High Jump Champion

But none of those things seems right. And I wonder if I will ever find something that really fits, or if I will just grow up being half a person pretending to be something I'm not."

Me, too, Cassie. Me, too. ❤️

[Andrea Pole · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Peacock Detectives by Carly Nugent is categorized as ''children's fiction', but I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed it as an adult novel. Eleven year old Cassie provides a charming, fresh, and engaging narrative voice that provides a level of insight and maturity that is well beyond her years.

Cassie identifies as a writer, and sets out to pen a true story involving a case of a pair of missing peacocks. But as Cassie embarks on a quest to find her neighbours' missing birds, she is unknowingly partaking in a journey of self-discovery, and learning to embrace change in her own rapidly changing world, particularly as it pertains to her own family dynamic. Cassie is empathetic, sensitive, and inquisitive, and joining in her search for truth is pure joy. This is a delightful story that I would recommend to young and old alike.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Text Publishing for this lovely ARC.

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an unusual, heartwarming story that kept me engaged throughout. I loved Cassie and the descriptions of the town (after seeing the author was from Bright, I kept picturing that when reading the descriptions). This is the story of a girl (eleven-turning-twelve) growing up and trying to make sense of the changes happening in her life; in her big sister, her grandpa and most of all, in her parents. This part of the story is sweet and sad and fairly typical (but still very good). The unusual part of the book is how much it talks about the craft of writing from a child's perspective. I quite like it and think it would be great for teaching a class, but at the same time this aspect felt a little forced. I was expecting a little more detail in the resolution, particularly with Cassie's dad and with Rhea, but overall thoroughly enjoyed the book.

[Emma Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carly Negents, The Peacock Detectives takes readers alongside eleven year old Cassie as solves things in the world around her. Cassie's neighbors who live across the street from her call her every time their peacock goes missing because leave it to Cassie to solve where the Peacock escapes each time. As she does so, she writes down notes in her notebook because she is hoping to write a book for her father about something interesting and what is more interesting than searching for a lost peacock like a detective. As the novel progresses, Cassie encounters things that she cannot solve, or figure out why they are happening. For example, she cannot put her figure on why her best friend is angry, why her mother moves out, why her father goes to a mental health clinic, and why her older sister is so moody and changing personalities so quickly. Cassie is forced to dabble with what to do with these problems in her life when the answers seem so far out of reach for someone who used to be able to solve anything that came her way, all while becoming an author on her own.

I believe that the ideal audience for this mystery novel would be fifth grade students, extending on into the middle grades. I think that some of the students will be able to relate to some of the things that Cassie experiences in the text; most likely the immense amount of change in the world around her. Fifth graders will be able to relate to Cassie in at least one way. They are about to experience both physical and emotional changes as they enter the middle grades. Being able to make reference to how Cassie handles the situations that arise in her life, will hopefully in return help the students who engage in this novel. Additionally, this captivating text is full of humor and surprises. I could see students at the fifth grade level being engaged in this book and it getting them excited about reading, which is one very important goal of educators (hopefully).

Educators could incorporate Carly Negents The Peacock Detectives into their classroom by having it be an option for students independent reading. A student might not normally pick a mystery book to read, but they could be encouraged by their teacher to try this mystery out and see what they think. As a student independently reads this novel, they can keep a prediction journal, noting what they think will happen in each chapter as something new is likely to arise. Another way an educator could incorporate this text into their classroom is by reading it as a class and extending that into homework on certain days. As a class, you could work through creating a story map of the events that take place in the text. This could include but is not limited to changes that characters undergo, as well as the different mysteries that Cassie works to solve. I imagine a huge story map that allows students to be creative and use their imagination to create something that they believe portrays the happenings in The Peacock Detectives.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

A year in the life of Australian girl Cassie Anderson. It starts with the escape of her neighbor's peacocks, and Cassie does spend a good bit of time (as in, all year) trying to recapture them, but the peacocks are fairly minor in the story overall. The main story is that Cassie's family is approaching a crisis. Her father suffers from depression, to the point at which he stops going to work and spends way too much money on useless things, and her mother moves out and starts a new job. Cassie's older sister Diana has decided to become a Buddhist and has moved out of the house and into a tent in the yard, but it's she who takes over the meals and general care of the house when their mother leaves. At school, Cassie has only one sort-of friend, Jonas, who loves obscure facts. Jonas has his own crisis that ends up not only solidifying their friendship, but creating an odd affinity between them and an upper school girl who has been a vicious bully. Cassie is writing this story as a gift for her father, but it ends up being rather late...

For me, the best part of this was the Australian setting, because it's unusual in US children's books. The cognitive dissonance of Christmas in summer only adds to the interest! I only gave this three stars because I thought it would be a mystery, but it's really yet another problem novel about a dysfunctional family. I know every generation needs their own versions of this story, so I'm sure lots of kids will enjoy it for that and see themselves in it in one way or another. The loving but contentious sibling relationship is well done, and I'm sure lots of kids will sigh alongside Cassie at being 11 but still considered too young for things like visiting their terminally ill grandfather in hospital and reading books from the upper school library. I also liked how Cassie attached taglines to people/places/things in almost a Homer-esque way, to make her writing idiosyncratic. One thing I didn't like much was that the author used the easy out of having Cassie read only classics. I know authors do that so the book will age well, and this author also made Cassie's father an English teacher to reinforce the reason she was reading those, but really. She couldn't read Harry Potter, or some Carnegie medal winners, at the very least? My pet peeve!

[Elissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot packed into this book and it definitely fleshed itself out more than I thought it would initially. The setting was a small town in Australia, so that was interesting to me as an American reader. The seasons were flipped and there were bits thrown in that showed difference in culture.
This book tackles a lot of issues: depression, parents separating, growing up (being a "difficult" teenager, transitioning from being a kid to being a teenager), dying grandparent, being in community, adoption and belonging, maybe I'm missing more. It sounds like a lot to take on, and while no one area is given a ton of attention, I think that each issues is shown in a realistic way. Things do kind of get wrapped up nicely in the end (with some open-ended possibilities but overall positive spins) and everyone is more friendly and open, which isn't always the case, but what are you gonna do?

What struck me the most is the fact that Diana especially, and Cassie to a lesser extent, take on so much adult responsibility when their dad suffers from depression and their mum has moved out. I know that probably happens in the US, but I think it's seen in a different way and there would be more intervening here.

I thought this book also was somewhat clever in its overt way of talking about stories and writing. It covered the parts of a story like a climax and themes. I liked that it made the point that sometimes you set out to make a story about one thing and it becomes another--you just take what life gives you and appreciate that. It also points out the limitations of defining yourself by one thing (Cassie = writer) while also not being able to stop being that thing even if/when it's frustrating. Lot of good food for thought here.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfi...

THE PEACOCK DETECTIVES is a story told by a young narrator, who is in Grade 6 but reads at a Grade 7 level. Her father is an English and English literature teacher, and Cassie has picked up tips from him about writing that she is employing to write about her life- with the focus about how she will track down the peacock and peahen from across the road that have gone missing.

In the process, Cassie begins to notice things about her own family that warrant further investigation and spark a discussion of much bigger issues that can be helpful for young readers to view through a voice not unlike their own. This book has a very young narrator that will appeal to middle grade readers, particularly those who read above their level.

What I loved: Cassie speaks at an easy-to-understand level and explains concepts and words in a very approachable way for the young audience. This reminds me of Beverly Cleary's books and style. Cassie has great appeal for the young crowd with her subtly poetic approach, lists, dialogue, and simple explanations- all while tackling some big topics.

This book would be better for younger middle grade readers vs. those at the top of the age category, as this book may be a little too simple in flow and slow to start. However, for those who are able to "get" Cassie, this is a highly rewarding read.

Final verdict: Approachable, genuine, and well-intentioned, Cassie's story has appeal for young readers, who may not be chasing peacocks but who may be dealing with similar life shifts.

Please note that i received an ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This middle grade novel was originally published in 2018 in Australia. It follows eleven -turning-twelve year old Cassie as she navigates the changes in her family. Things are happening that she does not understand. Her beloved Grandfather is ill but no one will let her see him after he is admitted to the hospital. Her father is acting strangely and having more of “Those Days” than usual. Her sister has stopped attending church and is now living in the backyard. Even her mother is changing, as she has moved out of the family home and has a friend. Cassie’s friend Jonas is also struggling with the fact he is adopted and does not know his biological parents. Through all of this Cassie is looking for and attempting to catch the peacocks that have run away from her neighbors. What is an eleven-turning-twelve year old to do? This story follows Cassie as she navigates all of these changes and tries to write the story from the inciting incident to the climax. The story is told matter of factly, laying out the story without making judgements about the characters and what they should be feeling and does not end tying up all of the loose ends. It talks about mental health, separation, illness, and loss in a way that a preteen can see that these instances are sometimes just part of life and are only part of the journey of life not something that needs to be or can be fixed. This would be a nice addition to collections that are looking for more realistic fiction titles.

[M.R. Cullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Peacock Detectives by Carly Nugent is so different from what I was expecting. I was expecting a cutesy story about a bunch of Peacock Detectives. What I got was a multi-layered story about a year in the life of 11-year-old Cassie and her family.

To begin with, the writing style was utterly engaging and infectious. The sheer joy at the beginning of the book, as Cassie introduces the reader to her world hooked me completely. As the story progresses, older readers will pick up on the less than joyful aspects of her life. While Cassie isn't oblivious, her innocence leaves her unaware of what she is recording is going to mean in the long term.

The story covers marriage break ups, terminal illness, depression and a lack of sense of belonging in a truly interesting way. I loved this book, and I can see why it was an Honours recipient at the 2019 CBCA Awards for Younger Readers.

The Peacock Detectives is a fast read, but one that will linger in your mind long after you turn the last page.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

11 year old Cassie is a writer and a detective. Whilst searching for the neighbours missing peacocks over three seasons she discovers a number of family secrets that make her realise that life and families are not simple. The ongoing saga of the peacocks adds a more hopeful thread to the story as Cassie comes to know the habits of the birds.
Cassie has to deal with changes in her 14 going on15 year old sister who no longer wants to do things with the family, a friend who runs away, a school bully, her mother's new cooking craze that leads to a new job and a new residence, the declining health of her grandpa and most significantly, the increasingly odd behaviour of her father has he withdraws from life, his family and caring for himself.
Nugent deftly handles broken marriages, depression and loss through fresh and inquiring eyes as Cassie comes to terms with these challenges and starts to come to terms with change and to view life through more tolerant eyes.

[Natalie Klein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cassie, 11, has dreams of being a writer. With the help of her Dad, she understands the right mix needed for the perfect story and adventure.

When peacocks, William Shakespeare and Virginia escape, Cassie along with her friend Jonas and dog Simon set off on a mission to find them.

Through their adventures, Cassie uncovers the many mysteries that lay hidden within their family and friends behind layers of pain and heartache.

The Peacock Detectives is a heart-warming story about change and growing up.

Cassie talks to the reader and gives an insight into her world with a voice that is refreshing and captivating.

I love the writing style, the language used is colourful and entertaining. I laughed and I cried, and my heart was full.

Even when dealing with depression and grief, the author, Carly Nugent, had such a way with her words that even my ten-year-old daughter, couldn’t put it down.

[Jen Burrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a middle-grade novel, The Peacock Detectives touches on some pretty heavy themes, including mental illness, breakups and death. Cassie's narration allows for a sensitive, intelligent exploration of these issues, perfectly pitched for its young audience. This is a story of hope and growth.

Cassie is an endearing protagonist - an enthusiastic if not always reliable storyteller. At its heart, this is her coming of age story, and I loved seeing the world through her eyes. Sensitive, naturally inquisitive and amusingly awkward, she feels very relatable and real. Her unique voice will appeal to older and younger readers alike.

The Peacock Detectives is a beautifully written, bittersweet novel for young readers, a heartfelt story with a charming sense of humour.

*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*

[Samantha Hamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this story with my daughter who is nearly 8. There were pacing issues with the book and sometimes the English grammar lessons were a bit too much. Overall, however, it was a lovely story about an eleven, almost twelve year old and the dramas in her family and friends’ lives over the course of a year. It has a lot of heart and definitely worth reading.

My daughter brought this home from the school library and I’m sure she picked the book because she thought it would be a mystery, which she loves. I did too, when I saw it. I am so glad I read it with her, as there was so much we had to discuss along the way, some heavy themes such as depression, family break up etc. I think she coped really well with the subject matter but she was disappointed it wasn’t what she expected also.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started off slow and i wondered if I should be reading it to my kids, as the asides to the reader felt like they might appeal to younger children. But the themes that emerged as the story went on were not for younger children (running away, divorce, infidelity, mental illness). I’d recommend it for ages 11+, and be cautious about recommending it to someone with divorced parents. They parents in the end of the book, although living separately, get together regularly for family dinners. Presenting this idealised version of divorce could be upsetting for many who live in a very different reality.

That said, I will definitely bring this one back out when my budding author is a bit older as she will relate the Cassie’s need to write.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. 11 year old Cassie has decided to write a story, and what better topic than her neighbor's missing peacock and peahen she's on the hunt for? But other things start to capture her thoughts more--her older sister turning vegetarian and Buddhist, her mom's obsession with her night cooking class, her dad's obsession with shopping, and why her grandfather isn't at church anymore--not to mention her best friend is struggling with his adoption and parents. It dives into separation, mental health, and end of life, in some pretty gentle and understandable ways. Cassie felt pretty young at times, maybe because she so clearly lays out her thoughts and questions? It felt very structured in that way.

[Christine Turner]

School Library Journal recommends this book for grades Gr 3–6

This charming middle grade mystery is full of heart, humor, and more than a few surprises.
Eleven-turning-twelve-year-old Cassie is an expert Peacock Detective. Her sharp eye for details is why the Hudsons from across the street call her every time their pet peacocks wander away. But there are some things even the greatest Peacock Detective can't figure out, like why her best friend is so angry lately; why her older sister is cutting her hair off; or why her parents are acting like they don't know each other anymore. Cassie is an expert at solving things. But what's a master detective to do when her whole world is changing, and all the answers are out of reach?

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

My more exact rating of this book is 3.5 stars. It has some fresh, interesting aspects in its rural Australian setting, plus the peacock hunting was kind of interesting, and the relationship between Cassie and her friend, as bullied outsiders, was nicely developed. But the author threw every family crisis beloved by juvenile authors and the kitchen sink at the poor girl—the bully and Jonas’s own quest would have been quite enough. There were too many subplots that dragged the story to a slow slog, none of which had very satisfying wrap-ups. So, worthy, but not a terribly fun read and proabably not a must-purchase despite the fact that chasing peacocks would be of interest where I live.