Fran is clearly unhappy about being dumped at her aunt and uncle's and really doesn't want to spend time with her cousin, but all that changes very quickly. She's a fiercely determined character who will stop at nothing to get to the truth; however, she also learns a few things about herself along the way which would make for interesting discussions. There is a really eerie quality to the plot, both in the idea of Imogen having disappeared and nobody remembering her, and in the parallel narrative that runs through the book which tells the story of The Twelve Statues of Stillness Hall.
The entire story is set in and around the grounds of Stillness Hall. Even just the name conjures up an eerie feel, but there's also Ms Quincey and the gardens which all combine to create an atmosphere that will send shivers down readers' spines. Add in the idea that a girl has gone missing and her parents seem to have simply forgotten she existed and it all makes for a rather chilling plot, despite its summer setting.
The mystery is drip fed throughout the book with the story being told from different perspectives (Fran's, Imogen's and the story of The Twelve Statues of Stillness Hall) that along with the short chapters absolutely guarantees that readers are gripped and won't be able to put the book down.
At its heart, this book is a captivating read about friendship and what it means to be a good friend. It's wonderfully written with relatable characters that readers will find themselves drawn to.
Publishing on the 11th September, The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good is the perfect read for September days would make a brilliant first whole class read of the year.
