Cryptosight

by Nean McKenzie

Rafferty Kaminski is a 13-year-old who believes in facts. Not like his Cryptozoologist father, who searches for creatures not proven to exist.
When their father disappears in the Flinders Ranges, strange things start happening to Raff and his younger sister Zara. They learn their father belongs to a secret organisation and they are suddenly being pursued by Bunyip hunters.
Raff is drawn into the weird world of cryptozoology as he and Zara follow ‘sightings’ of creatures around country Victoria. Will they find their father? And what is the ancient voice that only Raff can hear, as they approach the Wombat State Forest?

224 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2019

About the author

Nean McKenzie is a children's writer and optometrist who lives in western Melbourne. Originally from Bendigo, Nean lived in New Zealand, Europe and North East Africa before returning to Victoria.
Nean has a Diploma in Professional Writing and Editing from RMIT. In 2016 she was awarded a Maurice Saxby Mentorship for Cryptosight, which is her first published novel. In 2023 she was awarded a fellowship at the KSP writers centre in Perth.

Reviews

[Michael Earp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great fun romp around Victoria in the search of those ever illusive cryptids.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a cracking adventure/mystery for 8-12 year olds then look no further. I had the pleasure of reading Cryptosight recently, and it transported me back to being a 10 year old again, when I was obsessed with movies like The Goonies and books like The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. I would have LOVED reading Cryptosight back then, and I loved reading it now. Cryptosight is a story full of secret organizations, magic, bad guys with cool nicknames, special powers, mythical creatures, danger, mystery, adventure, and a story which is guaranteed to generate a sense of wonder in young readers.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our whole family enjoyed this book set in rural Australia. You follow an engaging 13 year old protagonist and his lively younger sister on adventures as they’re pursued by shadowy bad guys somehow linked to their missing dad. Mythical and fanciful elements are intertwined in a believable world but sometimes you forget to slow down and enjoy those parts because you’re desperate to find out what happens next! Fantastic Christmas present for the middle reader in your life.

[Kesta Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Loved the 'Australian-ness' of it. Having the opening set in the Flinders Ranges brought back lots of memories of hiking and camping there in my teens and early 20s. Cryptosight is a well written Australian adventure story. Well worth the read.

[Sharlene Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Years ago I was addicted to a show called Supernatural and before that it was the X-Files. I loved reading Cryptosight. Just like watching the old tv shows, I felt like I was being allowed in to a movie length viewing of some secret world of the unknown, strange and precious. Thanks for a great read Nean McKenzie!

[Jeremy Hallogen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book followed an exceptional story-line that demonstrated a true masterclass in writing. I was taken on a journey in the mind of a young teenage boy who slowly came around to the idea of cryptozoology. Cryptosight is a really well written young novel that I found myself encapsulated in the world of cryptozoology!

[Ian Boyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the idea of this story, and many of the concepts going on through it. The main protagonist and his little sister were a great combo, caught between two completely different parents. But I felt as though there were too many ideas going on at times, and some of them didn't quite tie together. But I would definitely read a sequel just to see how it develops.