Rereading: THE THIRTEENTH ADVENTURE by M. E. Atkinson

Cover and illustrations by Charlotte Hough

The second to last adventure of the Lockett family and friends continues on from the end of the previous book: “The House on the Moor.” But just when it seemed Oliver, Jane, and Bill Lockett might be able to enjoy the return of their parents from India for an extended stay, Oliver comes down with diphtheria. The other two must go into quarantine with their Aunt Lavinia at her seaside cottage miles to the east, and with them is the grumpy boy Caspar, who was also exposed to Oliver’s diphtheria. No one is happy about this.

Once they get to Aunt Lavinia’s, though, everyone begins to find ways to work together except for Bill and Caspar. A chance meeting with the Lockett’s old “frenemy” Fenella, who goes to school nearby, gets Bill and her involved in a plot to fool Caspar, but then other actual events like a burglary and talk of smugglers get the boys in more trouble. Bill and Jane have found part of an old floating dock, and decide to make it a raft. Then late one night Caspar takes it out, and can’t get back, he’s drifting out to sea, with only two neighbor girls as witnesses. Worst of all, he can’t swim, and fog is rolling in.

This one started a bit slow, but accelerates into all kinds of mystery and suspense, a real page turner and recommended.

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