Hattie, Bea (Phoebe) and Plum arrive at their Grandaddy’s home with their mum and little brother Dore (Theodore). They’re excited to be
visiting Grandaddy at Misty Cove, instead of the other way around for a change. They’re looking forward to the next three weeks’ stay. When they realise Grandaddy has his own beach and three islands reachable at low tide, they can’t believe it!
Mum reminds them on arrival of the main reason for their visit. Grandaddy may be a little different. He might forget things, or repeat things. They are to treat him as they always have, as no matter what, he is still their loving Grandaddy. They are also not to bicker among themselves.
Hattie is the oldest, and although she tries, it is hard not to argue with her sisters – especially Bea. Hattie and youngest sister Plum get on well with their shared love of fantasy, talk of fairy rings and witches, but Bea refuses to believe in such things.
Bea’s dream is to be a botanist. She collects plant samples and carries her special backpack everywhere. Named ‘Misdirection’, it contains every useful item she can think of. A gift from her parents, it also contains things that are special to only her. She takes it everywhere she goes.
Plum is the exact opposite, always dressed in a costume Mum has made from thrift store clothing. She cartwheels or forward rolls wherever she can, which has caused problems between the sisters in the past.
They soon figure between them, that the best way to help Grandaddy, is to move to Misty Cove to be with him. But Mum would have to lose her theatre and job. How will they be able to afford to move?
Meanwhile, Grandaddy has taken them out for dinner, and they’ve visited the town themselves. Most people are friendly, but there are those who are not. Why? they wonder. They shortly learn of their great great grandmother, who was deemed a witch by the town. Talk of treasure soon follows and the real story of Lucy Juniper.
Treasure? Could it still be buried on one of the islands?
The adventure that follows changes Bea’s view on fantastical things, excites Hattie’s love of money, and allows Plum to experience an adventure along with her older sisters.
A wonderful adventure tale mixed in with mystery, secrets, and something altogether magical. Worry for oncoming dementia in a loved one underpins both the visit to a small coastal town, and the adventure itself.
Three sisters Hattie, Bea and Plum, squabble as siblings do, but also work together when it matters most. I enjoyed the resolution of the novel as it isn’t a ‘find the treasure and everything’s sorted’ kind of plot.
There are many entertaining threads to the novel including Grandaddy’s baking, local octopus life and an element of fantasy which is both unnerving and exciting at the same time.
Author – Heather Fawcett
Age – 8+
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Publisher – Penguin Random House
Set – Fictional Coastal Town / Misty Cove / Present
Viewpoint – 3rd person
Violence – No
Real Life – Yes
Fantasy – Yes / Magic
Blend – Real Life / Magic
(2025, Penguin Random House, Adventure, Family, Fantasy, Love, Magic, Mystery, Sibling Rivalry, Secret, Science, Sisters, Treasure, Islands, Dementia, Grandfather, Grandparent, Summer Holiday)