Description
A hilarious, fast-paced tale about a boy, a necklace, his crush and how the booby traps set by his maniacal neighbour save the day. The perfect book for fans of David Walliams and L. Pinchon's Tom Gates series, who are moving onto the next readership level.
Oscar’s life has become a mystery. He has no idea why his grandfather bequeathed him a necklace – of all things! He could give it to Tiffany Crandle, if she actually knew he existed! The only one who does notice him is his neighbour Basil York, who apparently wants him dead – at least that’s what the weird-and-definitely-not-wonderful daily booby traps he sets for him seem to imply! Things get even stranger when his grandfather’s shop is burgled, and suddenly Oscar, his friend Maddie are in danger. Who knew that an old necklace would turn out to be such bait for bad guys?
Oscar has more going on a kid in Year 7 should have to deal with … and Basil York might just turn out to be the biggest mystery of all.
Review
Oscar Mattick has no idea why his neighbour, Mr York, seems to be out to get him. He torments Oscar at every possible chance but only his family believe him. The policeman Errol Devenish won’t take it seriously, neither will his best friend, Micah, who just happens to be Mr York’s grandson!
But this isn’t the only strange thing going on in Oscar’s life right now. Oscar was very close to his grandpa who recently passed away. His grandpa ran an antiques shop and left him a very unusual gift – a necklace. Oscar is not sure why - it seems like a very strange thing to leave to him and not his sisters, but Oscar decides that he may as well give it to his crush, Tiffany. Surely she will notice him then?
But after his Grandpa’s old shop is burgled, a chain of events starts that means danger, not just for Oscar, but for anyone who has come into contact with that necklace, including his friends Maddie and Tiffany! There are even detectives from Canberra in town trying to solve this mystery. Can Oscar get out of the mess that he seems to have made?
This is a great story that will thoroughly appeal to all students in upper primary and lower secondary. Oscar is a character who many will relate to, as he navigates the world of high school, girls, bullies, family dynamics and friendships, not to mention a mystery that will see him fighting for his own survival, in more ways than one!
