Matthew might only be 11 but he’s been a fan of journalism since very young. When the sirens sound in his town called Treachery, early one morning, Matthew is on his bike with his cheap camera and a nose for news. He captures the police on the beach and a shape under a tarp. The sight of a foot, grey blue and still, shocks him, but he gets the pictures he needs.

Before the Treachery Chronicle Newspaper is even open, Matthew is waiting for its head reporter – Stuart Dryden. Matthew has written for the paper before, but this is his way to get his name beyond the Letters to the Editor page.

Stuart Dryden is an alcoholic, and perfectly happy writing stories about giant potholes or graffitied park benches, as long as he can get to the pub for lunch, a drink and then maybe another one. But Matthew is his wake up call. The town of Treachery suddenly has a newsworthy story and an 11 yr old is showing him up.

The body found on the beach is a teacher at Matthew’s school, and was married to an influential businessman in the area. She is also his father’s ex – and fingers are quickly pointed at his dad. Matthew’s mum died when he was tiny, and he’s grown up with his drunken father and Pop who now has dementia. Saying Matthew is self sufficient is an understatement, but there is love in this all male household.

Matthew’s desire to be a newsman, clear his father’s name and avoid the incessant bullying he now faces, teams him up with journo Stuart Dryden and a new kid at school – who just happens to be a bikie’s son. All the wrong people to be linking up with, but all the right people to get him through the mystery of his teacher’s murder.

Switching points of view between these hugely contrasting characters kept things interesting, and me turning pages.
This murder changes many lives, for worse and for better as Matthew learns much more than how to write great news stories, Dryden finds a new lease of life and direction, and after many red herrings and mis-directions for the reader – the murderer is finally revealed.

I laughed out loud at Dryden’s humour – which was his fail safe way of dealing with tension, and loved the coming of age of young Matthew as the world of journalism, drugs, and crime swirled around him.

Journo Crime that reminded me of Chris Hammer’s Martin Scarsden series, and Trent Dalton’s masterpiece – Boy Swallows Universe

Author – Mitch Jennings

Age – 16+

(2024, Harper Collins, Crime, Murder, Beach community, Drugs, Money, Sleuthing, Investigating, Reporting, Young reporter, Alcoholic reporter, Family, Father, Secrets, Mystery, All male household, Teacher, Small Town Australia, Dementia, Bullying, Intimidation, Violence, Action, Conflict, Growing up, School)