Rereading: THE NEST OF THE SCARECROW by M. E. Atkinson

Cover and illustrations by Stuart Tresilian

The ninth book in Atkinson’s Lockett series finds the three Locketts, Oliver, Jane, and Bill, involved in an elaborate contrived adventure that, as usual, goes wrong and puts them on their own.

The children are introduced by an aunt to two older cousins, Mervyn and Gillian, young adults with their own car, also staying with Aunt Margaret, the one who “helps” them with the books about their adventures. A letter comes from three Dwight children who are fans of those books, asking if the Locketts could join them on a walking tour toward the south coast that will take several days. It’s very short notice, and the Locketts have to decline, but Mervyn and Gillian come up with a plan to surprise the Dwights by taking the Locketts to meet them on their tour and give them an adventure. Mervyn won’t tell them what that adventure is, or that their frenemy Fenella is involved, but Oliver, Jane, and Bill are all for it anyway.

The first part of the plan works well, with Oliver disguised as a gypsy, meeting Humphrey, Doris, and Julian Dwight on the road and giving them an ominous fortune about a scarecrow. But then Mervyn and Gillian must leave the Locketts on their own while going to help Gillian’s boyfriend, who has been in a railroad accident, but the Locketts have no idea what the rest of the plan is, so must make it up themselves. A strong storm blowing in from the ocean complicates things, and the Locketts are not prepared for it. When they reach a lonely coast cottage named The Scarecrow’s Nest, things get really complicated.

I felt this one was trying too hard, but it does have its moments, and is still a fun read. Recommended.

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