Author: R.A. Spratt
Publisher/Year: Puffin/2018
Publisher Blurb
Three squabbling siblings. One all too perfect next-door neighbour. A missing mum, a bumbling dad, a kooky cockroach mystery and an eccentric country town. What could possibly go wrong?
Life is hard enough without having to spend time with your siblings. But there is no other way for Joe, Fin and April Peski to solve the mystery of the cockroach catastrophes that is rocking their new home town of Currawong.
Along with Loretta, their stunningly beautiful yet sociopathic next-door neighbour, and Pumpkin, the world’s worst trained dog, they set out to catch the culprit. Together they are The Peski Kids.
Reviewer: Onyx Webb
The Mystery of The Squashed Cockroach is a strong opener to RA Spratt’s ‘The Peski Kids’ series.
When a scream from next door gets the attention of newcomers Joe, Fin and April Peski, they are ready to investigate – after all, investigating’s in their genes.
They make their way next door to find their neighbour, Loretta, horrified – her cockroach has been murdered.
The cockroach murder provides them something to focus on besides their sudden move to a new town with their estranged father, and the worry that comes with their mother’s imprisonment after being caught as a spy.
Following in their mother’s footsteps, the Peski kids are determined to find out what happened to the cockroach, and who is responsible – what possible motive could the killer have for murdering a cockroach?
In order to solve this one, they will need to take a closer look at the cockroach-obsessed community in their new home of Currawong to figure out who is on the suspect list, and who they can rule out.
During their investigation, the Peski kids find themselves under suspicion from the kids at school when another cockroach is found murdered. To clear their names, and show they are innocent, they have to catch the culprit.
The dynamics between the characters is great with peaceful Joe, funny Fin, and April sometimes finding it hard to keep her temper under control.
This is a book for fans of insects and mystery. You will want to keep reading to find out who killed the cockroaches, and why. I related to April the most, who had to cope with her brother, Fin, sometimes annoying her.
The story was told in a fast paced, exciting way that takes the reader along on the journey and will change your perspective on cockroaches.