The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good - Kirsty Applebaum

When Fran's mum needs to join her dad on a business trip, Fran is bundled off to her aunt and uncle's for the week. She really isn't looking forward to it as she doesn't enjoy spending time with her cousin Imogen; however, when she gets there, she quickly discovers that something is very wrong, for her aunt and uncle insist that they don't have a daughter, despite her room and things being there.  So Fran sets out to discover what is going on, enlisting the help of Bex who lives a few doors away.  But there's more to this than she first imagines, something involving the nearby Stillness Hall.  Can Imogen discover exactly what's going on before her mum returns in only five days? 

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.