Fourteen-year-old Aleister Lister Smith is sailing through a peaceful existence at a respectable public school in Shropshire. Perhaps too peaceful, even a bit boring at times. The only adventures in his life are the ones he reads about in books like The Count of Monte Cristo.
But all that changes one day when the mysterious brother-in-law of his schoolmaster shows up. What are these troubles that the brother-in-law is undergoing, and why does he want Aleister to help him with them?
Before he knows what's happening Aleister finds himself on the way to Manchester, ostensibly to work as a clerk in an insurance office, but really to try to find out the identity of a blackmailer.
Complicating his life once he gets there is a young girl named Kate who quotes Paradise Lost and seems alarmingly lively. Then there is Jack, his co-worker, who sneaks out during work to smoke. It all seems quite a different world from peaceful Shropshire.
And then on Guy Fawkes night, there's a murder.
********
Remember, Remember was shortlisted for the Canadian Arthur Ellis Award for juvenile crime writing. Here is what the reviewers said when it appeared in print form:
“... an intriguingly entertaining mix of blackmail, murder, and youthful romance, shot through with large dollops of tension and suspense.
-- M. Wayne Cunninham, Books in Canada
“… packs a compelling mystery and pair of likeable teenaged protagonists … Adults should consider it as well.”
--Debra Hamel, bookblog.com
“It’s a good read, full of Dickensian characters, red herrings, and a hint of a love interest.”
--Diana Dakers, Victoria Times Colonist
“Should you want something to tempt your 11-year-old, try Remember, Remember.”
--Grumpy Old Bookman
But all that changes one day when the mysterious brother-in-law of his schoolmaster shows up. What are these troubles that the brother-in-law is undergoing, and why does he want Aleister to help him with them?
Before he knows what's happening Aleister finds himself on the way to Manchester, ostensibly to work as a clerk in an insurance office, but really to try to find out the identity of a blackmailer.
Complicating his life once he gets there is a young girl named Kate who quotes Paradise Lost and seems alarmingly lively. Then there is Jack, his co-worker, who sneaks out during work to smoke. It all seems quite a different world from peaceful Shropshire.
And then on Guy Fawkes night, there's a murder.
********
Remember, Remember was shortlisted for the Canadian Arthur Ellis Award for juvenile crime writing. Here is what the reviewers said when it appeared in print form:
“... an intriguingly entertaining mix of blackmail, murder, and youthful romance, shot through with large dollops of tension and suspense.
-- M. Wayne Cunninham, Books in Canada
“… packs a compelling mystery and pair of likeable teenaged protagonists … Adults should consider it as well.”
--Debra Hamel, bookblog.com
“It’s a good read, full of Dickensian characters, red herrings, and a hint of a love interest.”
--Diana Dakers, Victoria Times Colonist
“Should you want something to tempt your 11-year-old, try Remember, Remember.”
--Grumpy Old Bookman
