Description
What do you hope for when there is no hope? In search of this answer, award-winning Australian author Sue Whiting delivers a confronting mystery for younger readers.
Mackenzie da Luca’s mother is missing – she’s vanished without a trace in the jungles of Panama. Now, 116 days later, Mackenzie and her dad are in those same jungles. Her dad is desperate to find out what’s happened to his wife. And Mackenzie is desperate to make sure he doesn’t ...
Review
This is an intense mystery based around 16-year-old Mackenzie Da Luca’s and the disappearance of her mother Maggie, a renowned wildlife photographer. When Maggie doesn’t return from her trip to the jungle of Panama on time Mackenzie and her Dad weren’t too worried. But as the days ticked by, they started to fear the worst.
Eventually her Dad, who by now is a total mess, suddenly packs Mackenzie and very little else off to Panama to find Maggie. When Mackenzie’s dad becomes sick, this daunting task falls on Mackenzie’s shoulders, with the help of a local boy called Carlo.
I found it intriguing to see Mackenzie compartmentalize the problem to seek an answer that her mind would understand. It is amazing how people react in difficult circumstances, but more so how a person’s true gift can be discovered in trying times.
I will not divulge any more of the plot, for fear of spoiling the experience, but I assure you that ‘Missing’ is a book worth reading. With 38,000 people reported missing each year I can understand why Sue felt that is was a story worth writing.
This is a fantastic story, that is ideal for readers 12 and up.
Reviewed by Rob
