Three friends J, Dar and Will live in what would be called a dead-end town full of secrets. As a result of a dam built earlier the old town was submerged. But recently the dam has sprung a leak and as a result the old town is emerging. In particular, one old house is drawing our three protagonists towards it.
Will lives with his mother after his father, who was the local police sergeant, disappeared in mysterious circumstances along with several others. Meanwhile J and Dar, who are brother and sister, live with their father who has an obvious drinking problem, while their mum has moved out.
The action revolves around the discovery in the emerging house by the three of a large sum of money and a skeleton, which Will believes might be his father. From here we find out that those who placed money in the old house want it back and what ensues is a chase by the baddies to get the money back.
This book has all the makings of a really engaging novel. Unfortunately, it didn’t totally jell for me. I found the climax a bit anti-climactic, which is a shame as this could have been a great read.
This is still a good read but, for a reluctant reader, it is not as engaging as it could be.
Reviewed by Anthony Llewellyn-Evans
Age Guide 12+
Read an interview with Tristan Bancks about Scar Town
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ristan Bancks tells stories for the page and screen. His latest book is suspense-thriller, Scar Town, for age 10+. His other books for kids and teens include Two Wolves, The Fall, Detention, Cop & Robber, Ginger Meggs and the ‘Tom Weekly‘series. His books have won and been shortlisted for many awards, including a Children’s Book Council of Australia Honour Book, the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards, and the YABBA children’s choice book awards.
Tristan is an author-advocate for literacy non-profit Room to Read. He is currently working with producers to develop a number of his books for the screen. He’s excited by the future of storytelling and inspiring others to create.
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