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Smart
There's been a murder, but the police don't care. It was only a homeless old man after all. Kieran cares. He's going to find out what really happened. To Colin. And to his grandma, who just stopped coming round one day. It's good that Kieran's a master of observation, and knows all the detective tricks of the trade. But being a detective is difficult when you're amazing at drawing but terrible at fitting in. And when there are dangerous secrets everywhere, not just outside, but under your own roof.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
78 people are currently reading
1857 people want to read
About the author
Kim Slater
10 books40 followersLibrarian Note: Kim Slater is a pen name of K.L. Slater, at which site biographical information may be found.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 236 reviews
August 11, 2019
تعریف کتاب رو از خیلی ها شنیده بودم، اما سراغ خوندنش نرفتم چون بهم گفته بودن که مشابه کتاب سه بار خوش شانسیه، و من زیاد اون رو نپسندیدم.
تا اینکه بالاخره یه روز، دلم رو زدم به دریا و کتاب رو خوندم.
درسته، موضوع کلی شبیه به کتاب سه بار خوش شانسیه، اما نکته مهم اینه که توی اون کتاب اتفاقی که افتاده بود مهم بود و توی این کتاب، شخصیت اصلی. کایرن، همون شخصیت اصلی برام خیلی جالب بود و جذابیت همین شخصیت بود که کتاب رو لذتبخش تر کرده بود.
کایرن جوری از ال. اس. لوری و نقاشی هاش صحبت کرده بود که ترغیب شدم برم چند تا از کارهاش رو ببینم. اما خب اون جذابیت رو برای من نداشتن. اون احساساتی که کایرن توصیف کرده بود رو ازشون دریافت نکردم و این هم احتمالا برمی گرده به نداشتن تخصص در زمینه هنری.
خلاصه این که کتاب خوب و دوست داشتنی ای بود.
تا اینکه بالاخره یه روز، دلم رو زدم به دریا و کتاب رو خوندم.
درسته، موضوع کلی شبیه به کتاب سه بار خوش شانسیه، اما نکته مهم اینه که توی اون کتاب اتفاقی که افتاده بود مهم بود و توی این کتاب، شخصیت اصلی. کایرن، همون شخصیت اصلی برام خیلی جالب بود و جذابیت همین شخصیت بود که کتاب رو لذتبخش تر کرده بود.
کایرن جوری از ال. اس. لوری و نقاشی هاش صحبت کرده بود که ترغیب شدم برم چند تا از کارهاش رو ببینم. اما خب اون جذابیت رو برای من نداشتن. اون احساساتی که کایرن توصیف کرده بود رو ازشون دریافت نکردم و این هم احتمالا برمی گرده به نداشتن تخصص در زمینه هنری.
خلاصه این که کتاب خوب و دوست داشتنی ای بود.
October 4, 2016
I was disappointed with this read as I had high hopes for it and it really wasn't anything special. The characters weren't very well written and the plot didn't appeal to me at all. It kinda seemed like a knock-off version of The Incident of The Dog in The Night-Time. Overall it definitely wasn't a good book for me.
January 30, 2021
خیلی کتاب خوبی بود!خیلی دوستش داشتم و ناراحتم که زوتر نخوندمش!داستان خیلی جالب تعریف میشه وموضوعش هم موضوع خوبیه و خیلی خوب درش آورده نویسنده.
راجع به پسریه که با مادرش و ناپدری و برادر ناتنیش زندگی میکنه و اون ناپدری رفتار خوبی نداره و وضعیت خودش و مادرش توی خونه خیلی بده،این پسر توی این کتاب از علایق و مشکلاتش میگه و اینکه چطوری قراره همه چیز بهتر شه.
خیلی لذت بردم از خوندنش درحالی که غمگین بود و دردناکه که واقعا همچین مشکلاتی خیلی جاها هست و کسیم نیست که کمکشون کنه!
خلاصه که بخونید،پیشنهاد میشه:)
راجع به پسریه که با مادرش و ناپدری و برادر ناتنیش زندگی میکنه و اون ناپدری رفتار خوبی نداره و وضعیت خودش و مادرش توی خونه خیلی بده،این پسر توی این کتاب از علایق و مشکلاتش میگه و اینکه چطوری قراره همه چیز بهتر شه.
خیلی لذت بردم از خوندنش درحالی که غمگین بود و دردناکه که واقعا همچین مشکلاتی خیلی جاها هست و کسیم نیست که کمکشون کنه!
خلاصه که بخونید،پیشنهاد میشه:)
February 4, 2017
I treated myself to a re-read of this, as it is our whole school read and it's a while since I last read it. I think I enjoyed it even more this time! This book is funny and moving and has a great mystery and characters you care about. I enjoyed her second book just as much, and hope there's not too long a wait until she has a new book out.
January 16, 2015
The kids and I loved this wonderful book. A great story, Keiran's voice is brilliant, his determination to uncover the truth admirable. Loved it.
July 30, 2014
Review also available on my blog!
Buy from The Book Depository.
Hi guys!
Before I actually review this book can I just say, ABSOLUTE COVER LOVE. WOW. When Macmillan contacted me, there wasn’t much info on the press release so I said yes mainly because I wanted this fabulous cover on my shelf. Here are a few pictures I took of my copy:
Okay back to the review. So the blurb did not give much away about this book apart from a teenager trying to solve the murder of a homeless man. I was expecting a run of the mill murder mystery with teens solving crimes (kind of like Secret Seven and Famous Five). Which is why, within minutes of starting to read I was surprised by the narrator. Kieran is an autistic boy in year nine who loves CSI and wants to be a journalist. He’s very observant and as you read on you discover that he is really bright as well. I love his narrative voice, it’s so simple and innocent that it gives everything he says a kind of poetic beauty and adds realism to this book. He is a brilliant artist and loves the art by L.S. Lowry - his descriptions of the feelings evoked from it are lovely. Kieran is a wonderful character and his first person narrative voices really makes this book unique and charming.
I was also pleasantly surprised at the depth into which this book went. Although at first from Kieran’s childish viewpoint you think that it will be a book for younger readers, you soon realise that Slater is using Kieran’s wonderfully innocent voice to comment on the heart-breaking abuse he and his Mum have to suffer daily. With heavy themes like animal abuse, domestic abuse, child abuse, prejudice, racism and bullying and with a narrator like Kieran this book is more than Kieran solving a murder - it has depth, poetic beauty and topical significance.
The ending is really wonderful. The final line links delightfully to the title as people finally realise that although Kieran has been repeatedly called insults like “retard” that he is actually incredibly smart and talented.
Overall, a beautifully heart-warming book with a surprising depth and a brilliant narrative voice. Highly recommend for an easy, quick read. Gorgeous.
4 stars.
What did you think of Smart if you’ve read it? Were you surprised? :)
-Molly
Buy from The Book Depository.
Hi guys!
Before I actually review this book can I just say, ABSOLUTE COVER LOVE. WOW. When Macmillan contacted me, there wasn’t much info on the press release so I said yes mainly because I wanted this fabulous cover on my shelf. Here are a few pictures I took of my copy:
Okay back to the review. So the blurb did not give much away about this book apart from a teenager trying to solve the murder of a homeless man. I was expecting a run of the mill murder mystery with teens solving crimes (kind of like Secret Seven and Famous Five). Which is why, within minutes of starting to read I was surprised by the narrator. Kieran is an autistic boy in year nine who loves CSI and wants to be a journalist. He’s very observant and as you read on you discover that he is really bright as well. I love his narrative voice, it’s so simple and innocent that it gives everything he says a kind of poetic beauty and adds realism to this book. He is a brilliant artist and loves the art by L.S. Lowry - his descriptions of the feelings evoked from it are lovely. Kieran is a wonderful character and his first person narrative voices really makes this book unique and charming.
I was also pleasantly surprised at the depth into which this book went. Although at first from Kieran’s childish viewpoint you think that it will be a book for younger readers, you soon realise that Slater is using Kieran’s wonderfully innocent voice to comment on the heart-breaking abuse he and his Mum have to suffer daily. With heavy themes like animal abuse, domestic abuse, child abuse, prejudice, racism and bullying and with a narrator like Kieran this book is more than Kieran solving a murder - it has depth, poetic beauty and topical significance.
The ending is really wonderful. The final line links delightfully to the title as people finally realise that although Kieran has been repeatedly called insults like “retard” that he is actually incredibly smart and talented.
Overall, a beautifully heart-warming book with a surprising depth and a brilliant narrative voice. Highly recommend for an easy, quick read. Gorgeous.
4 stars.
What did you think of Smart if you’ve read it? Were you surprised? :)
-Molly
June 4, 2014
Actual rating: 4.5 Stars
Source: was sent in exchange for an honest review from the publisher via NetGalley
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would.
It was just so interesting in so many ways.
Kieran is just one of those main protagonists that you fall in love with.
Although he doesn't outright say that he has autism - and when Kieran says he's special and has a teaching assistant helping him that no one else does - it's what we assume as a reader.
I think this is what makes the book special.
An old man called Colin is killed and as the police assume he was just drunk and "fell in", Kieran feels it in him to find the truth.
Along the way, Kieran makes friends and discovers enemies.
He is a fantastic artist and draws everything he remembers and sees into his pictures to store.
I feel this novel will go far and people will fall in love with Kieran.
Full review to come!
Source: was sent in exchange for an honest review from the publisher via NetGalley
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would.
It was just so interesting in so many ways.
Kieran is just one of those main protagonists that you fall in love with.
Although he doesn't outright say that he has autism - and when Kieran says he's special and has a teaching assistant helping him that no one else does - it's what we assume as a reader.
I think this is what makes the book special.
An old man called Colin is killed and as the police assume he was just drunk and "fell in", Kieran feels it in him to find the truth.
Along the way, Kieran makes friends and discovers enemies.
He is a fantastic artist and draws everything he remembers and sees into his pictures to store.
I feel this novel will go far and people will fall in love with Kieran.
Full review to come!
March 15, 2015
I loved it.
Even though it's for younger readers, it didn't really matter because the story was gripping.
There were some sad moments when I couldn't help but tear up a little but there was happiness too.
Kieran is one smart, talented kid.
Kim Slater created a wonderful mystery in about two hundred pages.
I went into it not knowing much and am glad I enjoyed it.
Even though it's for younger readers, it didn't really matter because the story was gripping.
There were some sad moments when I couldn't help but tear up a little but there was happiness too.
Kieran is one smart, talented kid.
Kim Slater created a wonderful mystery in about two hundred pages.
I went into it not knowing much and am glad I enjoyed it.
February 28, 2018
"Розумник" Кім Слейтер — наче рідне дитя знаменитого "Дивного випадку із собакою вночі". І хоча книжка симпатична, через цю надмірну подібність видається дещо вторинною. Якщо обирати між Слейтер і Геддоном, я раджу Геддона. А ще я вважаю, що ця книга для дорослих.
November 10, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. It is a bit like "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time" by Mark Haddon because although it is not explicitly stated, the narrator is somewhere on the autistic spectrum. It is a gripping story, but it is also very interesting about the way people think, and how to think differently to solve a problem.
January 5, 2016
This book was like a splitting image of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time!
Nonetheless, I really enjoyed reading it!
Review to follow.
Nonetheless, I really enjoyed reading it!
Review to follow.
October 12, 2019
کتاب جذابی بود ... پیرنگ اصلی ماجرای یه پسر بچه 8-9 ساله است که جنازه یه کارتون خواب رو تو روخونه کنار خونهشون میبینه و درگیر حل کردن راز این قتل و پیدا کردن قاتل میشه ...
چفت و بست داستان خوبه و شخصیت بچه رو هم خوب در اورده فقط گاهی به نظرم کند میشه ولی آزاردهنده نیست ...
چفت و بست داستان خوبه و شخصیت بچه رو هم خوب در اورده فقط گاهی به نظرم کند میشه ولی آزاردهنده نیست ...
May 27, 2019
All I can say about this book is it bored me. The plot was that of a misfit teen with a troubled home life, your generic plot. Except that was the best part of this novel.
It was supposedly focused around him being a detective and solving this murder however it drifted off far too often to his home life or him speaking with Jean.
This book could have potential to be a ok book however I found it boring with a repetitive plot and wouldn’t recommend this to people who are looking for an easy read due to the boredom, and the lack of plot means it wouldn’t appeal to those looking for an intriguing read. Look elsewhere if your looking for a detective novel
It was supposedly focused around him being a detective and solving this murder however it drifted off far too often to his home life or him speaking with Jean.
This book could have potential to be a ok book however I found it boring with a repetitive plot and wouldn’t recommend this to people who are looking for an easy read due to the boredom, and the lack of plot means it wouldn’t appeal to those looking for an intriguing read. Look elsewhere if your looking for a detective novel
May 26, 2017
I really enjoyed the interesting and exciting plot. I would definitely recommend this detective book to others of all ages.
March 24, 2024
これの直前に読んだAll My Rageと、扱っている問題は結構共通点があったな
キーランの奮闘、かっこよかった！
キーランの奮闘、かっこよかった！
November 8, 2018
A little difficult to get into however at the end I was completely immersed in the story. The story is fun and shows real problems in the modern day. It’s not too hard to read and I would recommend.
September 13, 2024
موضوع کتاب برام تکراری بود. نحوهی روایتش هم چیز خاصی نداشت. اواسط کتاب به این فکر میکردم که بهش دو ستاره بدم، چون با شخصیتاصلی هم نتونسته بودم ارتباطی بگیرم. یهمقدار کلا شخصیتپردازیها ضعیف بود. ولی بخاطر چندتا جملهی آخر کتاب و لبخند گندهای که روی لبم نشست بهش سه ستاره میدم.
May 6, 2014
Firstly, please can we just appreciate the pure beauty of this cover!
The cover was the first thing that caught my attention and as I read the blurb I realised that this was the kind of book I’ve always had a soft spot for and a book that I couldn’t wait to read. The lovely Jessica from Pan sent a copy my way and I started reading as soon as I had it in my hands!
Smart tells the story of a boy, Kieran, who is an outcast – someone who isn’t with the ‘in’ crowd and prefers to spend his time drawing and hanging out by the canal with his two homeless friends Jean and Colin. When Colin is found dead in the canal, the police are quick to close the case – convinced it was a drunken accident and Colin accidently fell into the water. But Kieran isn’t sure – he thinks it was murder. Can a young boy whose skills lie in observation and drawing really help to solve a police investigation?
It is never clearly stated whether Kieran has autism or is on the autistic spectrum but from his behaviour and the way he narrates this novel, we can deduce that he probably has some kind of autistic nature.
Kieran is the narrator of this book and because of his age, we are able to see events through such simplistic and innocent eyes and so when Kieran discusses behaviour of family or those around him, we can, with our own knowledge, infer that they are drug dealers or domestic abuse is happening without it needed to be explicitly detailed. Kieran was a brilliant protagonist and whilst the narration was simple, it was also very endearing and I felt a need to step into the pages and protect him from everything going on around him. It was a strange sense of responsibility that overcame me as I read.
As you may have gathered, this book touches on a multitude of different subjects including drugs and domestic violence which I found interesting in a children’s book. I did wonder if a younger reader would be able to pick up on the insinuations. Slater has tried to squeeze such a lot into such a small book but I think she’s managed this well. There weren’t many points where I wished there could have been more in terms of plot but there were a few times when I would have loved a little more character development – especially from Kieran’s mum and teacher. They both seemed to be huge figures in Kieran’s life but weren’t explored much. However, I do have to remind myself that this book was told through Kieran’s eyes so he is unlikely to know much about his teacher apart from what she tells him in school.
The pacing of this book was fabulous and the plot wasn’t immediately predictable which is brilliant for a children’s book! Normally I can predict them before I have started reading. I did start to draw parallels between this book and others along similar lines such as The Curious Incident of The Dog In The Night-time and Wonder – books where the protagonist doesn’t fit in and becomes a star in their own right. I like the message that these types of books send out.
Smart isn’t overly long. It’s only about 250 pages so it’s not taxing in the slightest and can be read in one sitting.
Overall I would definitely recommend this book but I would be wary of giving it to children – perhaps it is more suitable for 14+? I guess it is all dependent on the maturity of the child though! I was on the edge of giving this book four stars but I decided to go with five, mainly because of the beautiful cover and for Kieran as a character – he alone is worth five stars!
An interesting novel that is a must read for fans of The Curious Incident of The Dog In The Night-time.
The cover was the first thing that caught my attention and as I read the blurb I realised that this was the kind of book I’ve always had a soft spot for and a book that I couldn’t wait to read. The lovely Jessica from Pan sent a copy my way and I started reading as soon as I had it in my hands!
Smart tells the story of a boy, Kieran, who is an outcast – someone who isn’t with the ‘in’ crowd and prefers to spend his time drawing and hanging out by the canal with his two homeless friends Jean and Colin. When Colin is found dead in the canal, the police are quick to close the case – convinced it was a drunken accident and Colin accidently fell into the water. But Kieran isn’t sure – he thinks it was murder. Can a young boy whose skills lie in observation and drawing really help to solve a police investigation?
It is never clearly stated whether Kieran has autism or is on the autistic spectrum but from his behaviour and the way he narrates this novel, we can deduce that he probably has some kind of autistic nature.
Kieran is the narrator of this book and because of his age, we are able to see events through such simplistic and innocent eyes and so when Kieran discusses behaviour of family or those around him, we can, with our own knowledge, infer that they are drug dealers or domestic abuse is happening without it needed to be explicitly detailed. Kieran was a brilliant protagonist and whilst the narration was simple, it was also very endearing and I felt a need to step into the pages and protect him from everything going on around him. It was a strange sense of responsibility that overcame me as I read.
As you may have gathered, this book touches on a multitude of different subjects including drugs and domestic violence which I found interesting in a children’s book. I did wonder if a younger reader would be able to pick up on the insinuations. Slater has tried to squeeze such a lot into such a small book but I think she’s managed this well. There weren’t many points where I wished there could have been more in terms of plot but there were a few times when I would have loved a little more character development – especially from Kieran’s mum and teacher. They both seemed to be huge figures in Kieran’s life but weren’t explored much. However, I do have to remind myself that this book was told through Kieran’s eyes so he is unlikely to know much about his teacher apart from what she tells him in school.
The pacing of this book was fabulous and the plot wasn’t immediately predictable which is brilliant for a children’s book! Normally I can predict them before I have started reading. I did start to draw parallels between this book and others along similar lines such as The Curious Incident of The Dog In The Night-time and Wonder – books where the protagonist doesn’t fit in and becomes a star in their own right. I like the message that these types of books send out.
Smart isn’t overly long. It’s only about 250 pages so it’s not taxing in the slightest and can be read in one sitting.
Overall I would definitely recommend this book but I would be wary of giving it to children – perhaps it is more suitable for 14+? I guess it is all dependent on the maturity of the child though! I was on the edge of giving this book four stars but I decided to go with five, mainly because of the beautiful cover and for Kieran as a character – he alone is worth five stars!
An interesting novel that is a must read for fans of The Curious Incident of The Dog In The Night-time.
June 4, 2014
4.5 stars
There's been a lot of fiction lately jumping on the autistic (and other disorders) bandwagon, some more successfully than others. Personally, I enjoy this kind of narrator, it's why I love fiction so much - climbing into the shoes and views of someone different to me.
And I can enjoy it if it's well done which this is. There are similarities to The Curious Incident in the Night-time, as the narrator seems to be autistic (though he is never outright called this) and also because the plot involves a murder and investigation.
I would say slightly younger readers could access this, maybe 12+. Kieran is about that age. His mother has moved in with Tony, unemployed and violent, and Tony's lazy teenage son Ryan, happy to follow his father's example and bully Kieran. The book begins when Kieran and his homeless friend Jean discover the drowned body of another homeless man, Colin. The police aren't very interested so Kieran decides he will investigate. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the CSI TV programme, and an uncanny ability to draw and paint, so draws Jean's description of the last man she saw with Colin.
It's a quite moving story. Seeing through Kieran's eyes, his home life is upsetting. He quite innocently describes his mother working two jobs and giving the money to Tony, the shady visitors and money, the dog locked in the shed on wobbly legs... And without him explaining, we work out a lot about him for ourselves when we works with Mrs Crane on social skills at school, and wonders why he doesn't see his grandma anymore.
He's not a pushover though. This is a boy determined to find out what happened to Colin. This drives the plot, and Kieran shows just how smart a young person can be as he tries to solve the mystery, uncovering other secrets along the way.
I was glad that Jean and Colin were both given a backstory though I'd have liked a little moreX especially of Jean as she was quite a likeable character who didn't get as much time to shine as I would have liked. Tony is pretty vile and real, though Ryan is mostly two-dimensional, glued to his computer games. Kieran's mum gets very little time, is quite grating really - she sees her son beaten, is beaten herself and meekly submits to it. Got angry with her
But Kieran is adorable - resourceful, brave and smart. I liked his voice, and his story.
The solution to the mystery comes all of a sudden but it's the other plots coming together that works well, and I hope this leads young readers to appreciate that everyone has their strengths as well as problems and deserves to be taken seriously.
Review of a Netgalley advance copy.
There's been a lot of fiction lately jumping on the autistic (and other disorders) bandwagon, some more successfully than others. Personally, I enjoy this kind of narrator, it's why I love fiction so much - climbing into the shoes and views of someone different to me.
And I can enjoy it if it's well done which this is. There are similarities to The Curious Incident in the Night-time, as the narrator seems to be autistic (though he is never outright called this) and also because the plot involves a murder and investigation.
I would say slightly younger readers could access this, maybe 12+. Kieran is about that age. His mother has moved in with Tony, unemployed and violent, and Tony's lazy teenage son Ryan, happy to follow his father's example and bully Kieran. The book begins when Kieran and his homeless friend Jean discover the drowned body of another homeless man, Colin. The police aren't very interested so Kieran decides he will investigate. He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the CSI TV programme, and an uncanny ability to draw and paint, so draws Jean's description of the last man she saw with Colin.
It's a quite moving story. Seeing through Kieran's eyes, his home life is upsetting. He quite innocently describes his mother working two jobs and giving the money to Tony, the shady visitors and money, the dog locked in the shed on wobbly legs... And without him explaining, we work out a lot about him for ourselves when we works with Mrs Crane on social skills at school, and wonders why he doesn't see his grandma anymore.
He's not a pushover though. This is a boy determined to find out what happened to Colin. This drives the plot, and Kieran shows just how smart a young person can be as he tries to solve the mystery, uncovering other secrets along the way.
I was glad that Jean and Colin were both given a backstory though I'd have liked a little moreX especially of Jean as she was quite a likeable character who didn't get as much time to shine as I would have liked. Tony is pretty vile and real, though Ryan is mostly two-dimensional, glued to his computer games. Kieran's mum gets very little time, is quite grating really - she sees her son beaten, is beaten herself and meekly submits to it. Got angry with her
But Kieran is adorable - resourceful, brave and smart. I liked his voice, and his story.
The solution to the mystery comes all of a sudden but it's the other plots coming together that works well, and I hope this leads young readers to appreciate that everyone has their strengths as well as problems and deserves to be taken seriously.
Review of a Netgalley advance copy.
July 4, 2017
*Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
DNF
This was one of my most anticipated reads when I first heard about it, and then it was on NetGalley and I clicked the request button so quickly. I was so excited to read a new murder mystery for Young Adults, but I didn't finish it. I just could not. I got to one hundred pages and could read no more. This was initially a cover love, so detailed and intricate this beautiful cover highlights the mystery behind this novel.
Kieren is a young boy living with his mother and evil step-father and step-brother. He has no-one to go talk to now his grandmother stepped out of his life, however he has Jean. But when Jean's friend Colin is found washed up in the river, Kieran's detective skills soon come into play and he finds himself at the centre of a mystery. Will Kieran find out?
Kieren was a peculiar character, I could never figure him out; I could not connect with him in any way. I felt the plot was sadly bland, I was not at all engaged in the novel at any stage and I had no drive to continue reading as nothing, in my eyes, was happening.
Sadly I had to put Smart down at one hundred pages as I was unable to connect with the character and I was not able to become engaged with the plot. I may try and reread this someday.
DNF
This was one of my most anticipated reads when I first heard about it, and then it was on NetGalley and I clicked the request button so quickly. I was so excited to read a new murder mystery for Young Adults, but I didn't finish it. I just could not. I got to one hundred pages and could read no more. This was initially a cover love, so detailed and intricate this beautiful cover highlights the mystery behind this novel.
Kieren is a young boy living with his mother and evil step-father and step-brother. He has no-one to go talk to now his grandmother stepped out of his life, however he has Jean. But when Jean's friend Colin is found washed up in the river, Kieran's detective skills soon come into play and he finds himself at the centre of a mystery. Will Kieran find out?
Kieren was a peculiar character, I could never figure him out; I could not connect with him in any way. I felt the plot was sadly bland, I was not at all engaged in the novel at any stage and I had no drive to continue reading as nothing, in my eyes, was happening.
Sadly I had to put Smart down at one hundred pages as I was unable to connect with the character and I was not able to become engaged with the plot. I may try and reread this someday.
January 13, 2015
A convincing view of an anxiety-ridden world from the inside of an autistic, and artistic, boys head. The precision of his thinking and note-taking is in severe contrast to the chaotic society in which he lives. The authenticity of the voice and of the vision never falters, indeed every detail adds to our understanding of a world which we can instinctively understand, but which Kieran, the narrator, struggles to comprehend. It is no surprise then that he should befriend two people who, like him, are rejected by the unforgiving or care-worn people among whom they live. Sensitivity must be kept hidden or camouflaged if one is to maintain any status in this brutal environment and a particular instance of the mask falling away is very nicely conveyed. The ending is well thought-out too, neither sentimental nor pat; indeed hardly an ending at all, leaving us as it does with the feeling that much remains to be resolved .
January 5, 2015
Such a lovely book. You can't help but cheer for the main character Kieran as he tries to solve the many mysteries in life. Kieran must be somewhere on the autistic spectrum, his thought process evolves throughout the book as he sees what's right and wrong. He has a very logical mind as he problem solves the mysteries and I love how he relates everything to CSI - it taught him well. This book deals with issues of domestic abuse, bullying and homelessness, it's very well paced with lots of action.
February 14, 2023
Trigger warning--BULLY,DEATH,ABUSE
3.5 stars
A wonderful read to wrap up my 2021 reading journey. Kieran,the young protagonist remind me so many lessons about life that I was about to forget stop applying in life. The writing seems childish at first but later it finds it's depth. Though I think some side characters needed more characterization(like Kieran's mom) still their action somehow made sense. Overall,a pretty decent read with some practical wisdom given by a teen about life.
3.5 stars
A wonderful read to wrap up my 2021 reading journey. Kieran,the young protagonist remind me so many lessons about life that I was about to forget stop applying in life. The writing seems childish at first but later it finds it's depth. Though I think some side characters needed more characterization(like Kieran's mom) still their action somehow made sense. Overall,a pretty decent read with some practical wisdom given by a teen about life.
February 17, 2015
The joy of this book is not just in working out whodunit (though it's a well-plotted and well-resolved mystery) but in watching Kieran grow as a character and as a detective as the mystery he discovers moves closer and closer to home. Offbeat and unexpectedly touching, this is a great (and very different) crime read.
October 2, 2014
I didnt really like this book a couple of pages in I got bored and the character Kieran annoyed me.
March 13, 2024
Had to read for bookclub
Quite clever, although sometimes I was annoyed by Kieran’s mindset. All in all, it was okay- maybe even “good” .. idk
September 14, 2021
I can't attest to how well certain depictions are done but for what I do know, they were pretty well done.
This is a sad book,
The mystery itself and Kieran's part in it was interesting and well written. I wish the book was bigger because there is quite a few different threads included outside the mystery. A lot happens that is almost skipped past at quite a rate because there just isn't time to dwell.
This is a sad book,
The mystery itself and Kieran's part in it was interesting and well written. I wish the book was bigger because there is quite a few different threads included outside the mystery. A lot happens that is almost skipped past at quite a rate because there just isn't time to dwell.
May 28, 2021
Simple read. Ideally for kids. Picked it up randomly but it's not a total disappointment. Very good book if you are beginners and wants something very simply and also good one for kids.
It's about a Boy who found a homeless man dead near the river, he suspected it a murder while nobody else cared as he was homeless. Book has the story of his family where step dad and step bother abuses his mother and him and also the memories of living with his grandmother. It's a warm read. This kid being very sharp wanted to become a detective one day, starts collecting the evidences of homeless man's murden and succeeds in the case.
Pick this up if you want something really simple and relaxing read. Has only around 220 pages
It's about a Boy who found a homeless man dead near the river, he suspected it a murder while nobody else cared as he was homeless. Book has the story of his family where step dad and step bother abuses his mother and him and also the memories of living with his grandmother. It's a warm read. This kid being very sharp wanted to become a detective one day, starts collecting the evidences of homeless man's murden and succeeds in the case.
Pick this up if you want something really simple and relaxing read. Has only around 220 pages
April 1, 2022
This book surprised me actually. It dealt with some very gritty and dark themes, which I hadn't anticipated given it is rated as a KS2 read - it's certainly more complex than a straightforward murder mystery - in fact, I think that the murder mystery plot is really just a framework to explore Kieran's troubled home life. The author portrays the grim reality of Kieran's life incredibly well and he is a likeable and fragile, yet brave and tough character. Growing up in nearby Derbyshire, I was also able to appreciate the joy of a Blackcurrant cream tart from the local bakery (called Gents in the book, but my bet is that it's Birds Bakery in real life!)
September 13, 2017
Similar in plot to the curious incident of the dog in the night time. It doesn't say why is wrong with Kerian but i assume it was something simple to autism. I liked how he solved the murder because he was basically just a nosey kid. I also liked that he spoke to all different types of people and knew about their pasts even if they were homeless. A brilliant book and I really felt sorry for the boy. I liked that it was set in Nottingham as I lived there for three years and knew where it was set so that's always a nice surprise
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