Publisher: Penguin Random House Children's UK

This is a mystery with so many different components; it features the same characters as Sharna Jackson’s previously published High Rise Mystery book.11-year-old Wesley and his friends, Margot and Josie, help Wesley’s mum to throw a surprise 40th birthday party for their neighbour, Rachel, which includes an invitation to four friends whom Margot has located from Rachel’s Facebook. The party is a strange event, full of contradictions and bizarre conversations.

The following morning, Wesley finds Rachel dead. The party attendees follow Rachel’s cultural traditions and throw a Caribbean Nine Night Celebration, intended to guide her spirit to the next world. But the children’s suspicions are raised as to the nature of Rachel’s death and they determine to investigate it, using some quite underhanded methods.

The plot is quite complex and moves very quickly; the dead-end clues throw your thoughts off in various wrong directions! In addition to Rachel’s mysterious death, other related puzzles are woven into the storyline. Characters are well-constructed and encompass a good range of different family types, including an estranged father and sisters, as well as introducing a mix of cultures, beliefs and values. The teenage dialogue is engaging and funny – you can almost hear the three friends talking. They are very self-possessed and, although taking on tasks that would best be left to adults, they are extremely resilient and have strong values and bonds of friendship.