My Review: Applebaum’s tightly written stories are always a joy. This is a magical story about disappearing friends, love and loss. Despite having a fairy-tale narrative that weaves throughout this contemporary fantasy mystery it’s a fast-paced and compulsive read and has the feel of a classic. Secret gardens are always fun in a story and this one has bonus curious statues in it too.

Suggested For: Fans of mysterious stories with modern settings that involve a touch of magic

If You Like This You Might Enjoy: The Ice Children by M.G. Leonard, The Haunting of Fortune Farm by Sophie Kirtley, Twice Upon A Time by Michelle Harrison, The Stickleback Catchers by Lisette Auton, The Lost Girl King by Catherine Doyle

Blurb: A hidden garden. An ancient tale. A missing child. This is an addictive mystery with crossing narratives that’s impossible to put down.

Fran doesn’t want to stay with her aunt and uncle and her annoying cousin, Imogen. Imogen is rude and unfriendly and, it turns out, missing… But her parents don’t seem to know who Fran means – don’t be silly, we don’t have a daughter, you know that. So it’s up to Fran, and Imogen’s best friend, Bex, to find out what’s happened to her. Except Bex doesn’t know who Imogen is either. All Fran knows is that it’s got something to do with the hidden garden at Stillness Hall and the twelve statues that belong there. Could a mysterious old tale, a story of enchantment and death, hold the answers?

Thanks to Nosy Crow for the review copy.