The attic of Miro’s new home is filled with boxes and dusty piles of old junk. But Miro knows the difference between 
junk and treasure as he selects something to sell. First stop is the town Antiques store, and then his final destination – the bookstore that holds rare editions of collectible books. His collection is growing.
Excited with his new purchase, Miro heads for the ferry to take him home. At the pier, he runs into Zia, a girl from school. Like Miro’s passion is books, Zia’s is photography, and she inadvertedly takes a photo of something incredibly strange.
What’s even stranger is the Mayor’s reaction to them being on the pier. Miro might love reading classic adventures, but when Zia later suggests an adventure of their own, he’s not keen. Zia’s determined though, wanting to know why the Mayor is suddenly so interested in them.
Following Zia into a private warehouse is just the beginning of a mystery that involves the Mayor, a secret order of fisherman, and the wealthiest woman in town. Miro is suddenly in trouble because of books. Not just the ones he has been collecting at home, but another that everyone seems incredibly interested in. It tells a strange story… and why are the local fish following them….?
The Inkberg Enigma was a little bit Lovecraft fantasy, a foray into a fishing town’s history, and a discovery of a special book written in even more special ink. The tension builds slowly culminating in a shocking conclusion.
NZ settings and history were wrapped up in the narrative but this adventure / mystery could be set in any coastal town around the world. Excellent kiwi graphic novel fiction.
Young mystery fans will love this graphic novel. It has all the ingredients of a gripping read:
- Two everyday inquisitive kids
- Something weird happening in town
- The elusive owner of a local castle
- A Maniacal Mayor with a terrible secret
- Tons of action
- …and maybe even a strange creature looking for something..
Author / Illustrator – John King
Age – 7+
(NZ, Kiwi, Adventure, Mystery, Action, Crime, Greed, Historical, Secret, Graphic Novel, Multicultural family, NZ History)