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The Tunnels of Tarcoola
A spooky old house, a historical mystery, an underground mine, and a rising tide—the stage is set for an exciting adventure in the tradition of Enid Blyton and Arthur Ransome
"Come round here!" called David. "We've found something."
"I'm showing them." Andrea pushed him aside. "It's my cave!" She lowered herself into the hole. Her head disappeared, and a moment later they heard her voice, faint and slightly hollow. "Come on!"
When Martin goes exploring under the cliffs with his friends David and Andrea and his sister Kitty, they find every kid's dream: a network of tunnels running under the park, with a secret exit under a mysterious ruined house. It's a great place for adventures, as long as their parents don't find out and forbid them to go there. As Kitty learns more about the old house, she begins to suspect that it is hiding something else, something very important to the ancient lady who once lived there—but as usual no one will listen to her. Martin wants to play out the fantasy adventure games he loves, David wants to forget about growing up for a while, and Andrea—well, Andrea will do anything as long as she doesn’t have to obey the rules. But David also wants to help his mother and grandfather in their fight to save the "Haunted House" from demolition, and it seems that the old lady's secret just might be the key. Are they imagining things, or are they being watched by someone who wants to see just what they are going to find in the old house?
"Come round here!" called David. "We've found something."
"I'm showing them." Andrea pushed him aside. "It's my cave!" She lowered herself into the hole. Her head disappeared, and a moment later they heard her voice, faint and slightly hollow. "Come on!"
When Martin goes exploring under the cliffs with his friends David and Andrea and his sister Kitty, they find every kid's dream: a network of tunnels running under the park, with a secret exit under a mysterious ruined house. It's a great place for adventures, as long as their parents don't find out and forbid them to go there. As Kitty learns more about the old house, she begins to suspect that it is hiding something else, something very important to the ancient lady who once lived there—but as usual no one will listen to her. Martin wants to play out the fantasy adventure games he loves, David wants to forget about growing up for a while, and Andrea—well, Andrea will do anything as long as she doesn’t have to obey the rules. But David also wants to help his mother and grandfather in their fight to save the "Haunted House" from demolition, and it seems that the old lady's secret just might be the key. Are they imagining things, or are they being watched by someone who wants to see just what they are going to find in the old house?
222 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
4 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Walsh
17 books2 followersAlso publishes under Jennifer Spence and Jenny Spence.
I worked for a long time in IT as an author of computer manuals and help systems. Now I am a full-time author, writing children's books under this name and adult books under another name.
I worked for a long time in IT as an author of computer manuals and help systems. Now I am a full-time author, writing children's books under this name and adult books under another name.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 3, 2013
I this book is about 4 teenagers who go exploring in this mansion and have to find the treasure before its to late and they cant resolve the mystery. I decided to read this book because the title and the blog on the back of the book looked and sounded extremely interesting. The category that this book fits into is a Book written in 2012 or 2013. I think category is good because it keeps you adapted with the modern writers. I found Martin interesting because he thinks he knows everything and wants to be cool all the time. He is adventurist and likes to discover things. My favourite quote in the book is "kitty, a minute ago he was going to lock us up-. I know, I Know, but we've got to help him." I like this quote because kitty will still save peoples lives' even if they tired to kill you. She will still do what's right. I like that.
I learned that you should definitely write your will before you die. Write it early just in case.
I learned that you should definitely write your will before you die. Write it early just in case.
August 16, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this book. It kept me hooked and I wanted to know more with each turn of the page. I liked the characters, especially Andrea, but I would have liked a little more description about them.
May 18, 2015
Spoilers below......
As four friends are playing on a beach at a strange low tide, they discover a set of tunnels in the cliffs. They soon figure they are beneath a run down mansion the local kids call the haunted house.
Back at school, Kitty is given a school project about local history. She interviews a local woman called Clarrisa Gordon at the old folks home. She speaks in riddles and tells kitty she was the mistress of Tarcoola. Tarcoola is the name of the ‘haunted house’ and as they investigate the tunnels and Miss Gordon further, the friends find out about the history of the house and its occupants. Miss Gordon has hidden something of value in the tunnels and a local developer is after it before he can bulldoze Tarcoola for his own gain.
As four friends are playing on a beach at a strange low tide, they discover a set of tunnels in the cliffs. They soon figure they are beneath a run down mansion the local kids call the haunted house.
Back at school, Kitty is given a school project about local history. She interviews a local woman called Clarrisa Gordon at the old folks home. She speaks in riddles and tells kitty she was the mistress of Tarcoola. Tarcoola is the name of the ‘haunted house’ and as they investigate the tunnels and Miss Gordon further, the friends find out about the history of the house and its occupants. Miss Gordon has hidden something of value in the tunnels and a local developer is after it before he can bulldoze Tarcoola for his own gain.
April 9, 2013
A student recommended this book and now I see the appeal. A really good mystery adventure story, in Enid blyton famous five vein but with an Australian twist. Firmly set in Sydney, strong setting with historical details that help solve the puzzle. A very enjoyable, engaging read with a strong Australian presence.
December 22, 2021
The tunnels which the children explore in the book are based on real mine shafts and tunnels existing under Balmain in the city of Sydney. There really is a coal mine existing and some of the tunnels extend under the harbour.
I really enjoyed this middle grade mystery book. It reads very much in the vein of Enid Blyton and the Famous Five/Secret Seven series, but with better writing! I inhaled these Enid Blyton series as a child as well as Nancy Drew and so really enjoyed this book. The writing though was engaging enough to be enjoyed by an adult and the subject matter was a little more advanced and sinister than your average Enid Blyton. It just had that exciting feel of children solving a mystery, despite the adults mainly either getting in the way or having no clue what is really going on!
I really enjoyed this middle grade mystery book. It reads very much in the vein of Enid Blyton and the Famous Five/Secret Seven series, but with better writing! I inhaled these Enid Blyton series as a child as well as Nancy Drew and so really enjoyed this book. The writing though was engaging enough to be enjoyed by an adult and the subject matter was a little more advanced and sinister than your average Enid Blyton. It just had that exciting feel of children solving a mystery, despite the adults mainly either getting in the way or having no clue what is really going on!
May 12, 2019
This very much reminded me of a Enid Blyton book, secret tunnels and everything. But it was actually more realistic. The kids' adventures were possible. You could definitely see kids deciding to explore tunnels on their own. That is a temptation for any adventurous kid. They also didn't foil international weapon dealers or spies. An evil real estate developer is something I could believe they could take done.
The kids had to do real research, even though the librarians were less than helpful. Luckily they had some luck and unexpected resources. I enjoyed the historical information about the submarines in Sydney Harbor; it grounds the book in Australia.
It was great to read an updated and original Enid Blyton-like book.
The kids had to do real research, even though the librarians were less than helpful. Luckily they had some luck and unexpected resources. I enjoyed the historical information about the submarines in Sydney Harbor; it grounds the book in Australia.
It was great to read an updated and original Enid Blyton-like book.
September 2, 2017
Great mystery adventure for upper primary lower secondary students. Fabulous plot, although I think the bad guys are a little too unrealistically bad. Keeps you guessing along the way.
April 4, 2018
The librarians in this book were bloody useless.
December 3, 2021
Loved this book. A modern children's adventure set in Balmain.
January 11, 2013
I was drawn to this book when I saw it on display at the library, and I’m very, very glad I was. It’s a children’s book (suitable from around 8 years and above) set in Sydney, combining mystery, history and adventure in one big Famous Five-esque story. It’s about 4 children, including a brother and sister, who were probably closer friends some time before the story started, but still get together every now and then to hang out. One day, a change in tidal conditions leads them to a cave, and beyond that a network of tunnels beneath the old ‘ghost house’. Only, the secret they’ve uncovered may not be as secret as they hoped, as strange men begin to watch what they are doing.
There’s a lot to like about this book. I came to it in a funny mood, too caught up in something else I was reading, so the simpler language and ‘jump straight into the story’ approach jolted me at first. It took me a little while to appreciate the beauty of that, the way the characters – David, Andrea, Martin and Kitty – are ‘unpeeled’ as the story progresses. There’s something very real about the difference among the children – for example, David goes to a selective school; Andrea and Martin are at the same school, but Andrea struggles while Martin thrives; Kitty is younger than the others and still at a primary school, thinking about the possibility of a selective school for the future. There’s no pretending that the friends are all alike, or that their interests necessarily overlap. What does overlap is a shared path and an interest in the ghost house and the tunnels beneath it.
The mystery part of the story is well done too. There’s a real atmosphere created in the tunnels, and the history around them is based on actual history – so another piece of ‘our’ story is being told. It’s acknowledged that different cultures came together to create the community that the children live in, but also that things could be very difficult for some of the residents. The only thing that bothered the teacher/parent in me, was that the children didn’t go to an adult for help when they were being attacked by adults who were strangers – it didn’t ring quite true considering the amount of effort being put into teaching children about safety these days.
This is a book which would make a great read-aloud in an older classroom. It demonstrates the mystery genre really well, and I’d encourage teachers and teacher librarians to book talk and share it. Depending on the age of the children reading it, they might want to explore some Famous Five books or look towards a book like A Whole Nother Story (which is hilarious) or Lemony Snicket. A slightly older reader might even enjoy Trixie Belden (which they keep re-releasing) or they could try the awesome Mosquito Advertising books (which are set in Brisbane so are double awesome).
This review originally appeared at Adventures of a Subversive Reader
There’s a lot to like about this book. I came to it in a funny mood, too caught up in something else I was reading, so the simpler language and ‘jump straight into the story’ approach jolted me at first. It took me a little while to appreciate the beauty of that, the way the characters – David, Andrea, Martin and Kitty – are ‘unpeeled’ as the story progresses. There’s something very real about the difference among the children – for example, David goes to a selective school; Andrea and Martin are at the same school, but Andrea struggles while Martin thrives; Kitty is younger than the others and still at a primary school, thinking about the possibility of a selective school for the future. There’s no pretending that the friends are all alike, or that their interests necessarily overlap. What does overlap is a shared path and an interest in the ghost house and the tunnels beneath it.
The mystery part of the story is well done too. There’s a real atmosphere created in the tunnels, and the history around them is based on actual history – so another piece of ‘our’ story is being told. It’s acknowledged that different cultures came together to create the community that the children live in, but also that things could be very difficult for some of the residents. The only thing that bothered the teacher/parent in me, was that the children didn’t go to an adult for help when they were being attacked by adults who were strangers – it didn’t ring quite true considering the amount of effort being put into teaching children about safety these days.
This is a book which would make a great read-aloud in an older classroom. It demonstrates the mystery genre really well, and I’d encourage teachers and teacher librarians to book talk and share it. Depending on the age of the children reading it, they might want to explore some Famous Five books or look towards a book like A Whole Nother Story (which is hilarious) or Lemony Snicket. A slightly older reader might even enjoy Trixie Belden (which they keep re-releasing) or they could try the awesome Mosquito Advertising books (which are set in Brisbane so are double awesome).
This review originally appeared at Adventures of a Subversive Reader
March 19, 2012
This story began as an old-fashioned children's adventure and developed into quite an interesting historical-mystery. Initially, the narrative style makes it feel like it's set in the past, but later introductions of iPhones and laptops makes you realise it's present day.
Four children (possibly between 10 and 12) are exploring around their neighbourhood (do kids still do that?) when they discover a series of tunnels that surface underneath the local 'haunted house'. Separately, one of the girls meets an old lady in a nursing home as part of a school project, and it turns out this lady was once mistress of the haunted house, Tarcoola, and snippets of her conversation reveals that there is some mystery around why the house was left deserted. The plot thickens when a pushy new developer is battling council to have the house demolished to make way for a new housing development.
The language is not polished and contains a good dose of Australian (and New Zealand) slang, but still comes across as quaint and child-like. As the children piece together the puzzle about the house, they (and we) learn interesting snippets about World War II and its impact on the way of life for people of different classes in this part of Sydney, as well as their countries of origin.
The plot may become a little scary for young readers when it involves threatening and a brief kidnapping, but everything is resolved and there is not too much tension. There is one difficult theme which is central to the plot about the original owner of Tarcoola, a Jewish man who had migrated from Czechoslovakia to escape the war. His paranoia of being caught - as a Jew who was previously always on the run - leads to his unhappy suicide, an overreaction to the near presence of Japanese submarines in Sydney harbour. After his death he is accused of bigamy, an assertion that is clarified later in the story when it is discovered that he was not as bad as was presumed. There is also a few minor instances of rough language, and one parent who barely features is described as an alcoholic.
It is a hands-on mystery in which the children lead the way in piecing together history, talking to older neighbours and exploring for themselves, eventually uncovering the truth which the adults had no hope of discovering. The history is interesting, the mystery exciting, and though fairly brief, the story is a worthwhile investment for readers between 12-14 (and younger mature readers as well). www.GoodReadingGuide.com
Four children (possibly between 10 and 12) are exploring around their neighbourhood (do kids still do that?) when they discover a series of tunnels that surface underneath the local 'haunted house'. Separately, one of the girls meets an old lady in a nursing home as part of a school project, and it turns out this lady was once mistress of the haunted house, Tarcoola, and snippets of her conversation reveals that there is some mystery around why the house was left deserted. The plot thickens when a pushy new developer is battling council to have the house demolished to make way for a new housing development.
The language is not polished and contains a good dose of Australian (and New Zealand) slang, but still comes across as quaint and child-like. As the children piece together the puzzle about the house, they (and we) learn interesting snippets about World War II and its impact on the way of life for people of different classes in this part of Sydney, as well as their countries of origin.
The plot may become a little scary for young readers when it involves threatening and a brief kidnapping, but everything is resolved and there is not too much tension. There is one difficult theme which is central to the plot about the original owner of Tarcoola, a Jewish man who had migrated from Czechoslovakia to escape the war. His paranoia of being caught - as a Jew who was previously always on the run - leads to his unhappy suicide, an overreaction to the near presence of Japanese submarines in Sydney harbour. After his death he is accused of bigamy, an assertion that is clarified later in the story when it is discovered that he was not as bad as was presumed. There is also a few minor instances of rough language, and one parent who barely features is described as an alcoholic.
It is a hands-on mystery in which the children lead the way in piecing together history, talking to older neighbours and exploring for themselves, eventually uncovering the truth which the adults had no hope of discovering. The history is interesting, the mystery exciting, and though fairly brief, the story is a worthwhile investment for readers between 12-14 (and younger mature readers as well). www.GoodReadingGuide.com
December 25, 2023
Representation: N/A
Trigger warnings: Suicide
Score: Six points out of ten.
This was an underwhelming Australian young adult crime novel and I'm surprised that my library still has this book considering that it's a decade old now and how obscure it is and I think it never managed to take off in popularity and become well known. The four main characters weren't that impressive to me since they were very barebones and I couldn't connect to them due to them having only one characteristic apiece. Martin was quite closed off and annoying, Kitty was a good writer, Andrea was a good runner and David was a good swimmer and that's it so they were more archetypes than actual characters. The mystery by itself seemed intriguing but the execution ultimately left me feeling that the author could've definitely improved on it by cutting out some filler from the book. The book revolved around the mysterious story of Mr. Woolf who apparently was a bigamist and killed himself but later that was revealed to be only half true. The kids just lived their lives while simultaneously looking for evidence online, in the library and inside the old Tarcoola house before the cartoonish over the top greedy antagonist planned to knock it down and build new apartments in its place which by the looks of it doesn't make the antagonist that evil but it does hamper the progress of the children-led investigation so I suppose that makes him malicious I guess. In the end they just solve the mystery, the house was prevented from being demolished and that was it, a very underwhelming ending to a trainwreck of a book. If you like easy crime novels this one is for you but there are better ones out there like The Inheritance Games series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes that you can read.
Trigger warnings: Suicide
Score: Six points out of ten.
This was an underwhelming Australian young adult crime novel and I'm surprised that my library still has this book considering that it's a decade old now and how obscure it is and I think it never managed to take off in popularity and become well known. The four main characters weren't that impressive to me since they were very barebones and I couldn't connect to them due to them having only one characteristic apiece. Martin was quite closed off and annoying, Kitty was a good writer, Andrea was a good runner and David was a good swimmer and that's it so they were more archetypes than actual characters. The mystery by itself seemed intriguing but the execution ultimately left me feeling that the author could've definitely improved on it by cutting out some filler from the book. The book revolved around the mysterious story of Mr. Woolf who apparently was a bigamist and killed himself but later that was revealed to be only half true. The kids just lived their lives while simultaneously looking for evidence online, in the library and inside the old Tarcoola house before the cartoonish over the top greedy antagonist planned to knock it down and build new apartments in its place which by the looks of it doesn't make the antagonist that evil but it does hamper the progress of the children-led investigation so I suppose that makes him malicious I guess. In the end they just solve the mystery, the house was prevented from being demolished and that was it, a very underwhelming ending to a trainwreck of a book. If you like easy crime novels this one is for you but there are better ones out there like The Inheritance Games series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes that you can read.
March 22, 2012
(3.5 Stars)
This book is touted by the publisher as an Enid Blyton-style adventure for children and young adults, complete with tunnels, an abandoned mansion and a cast of evil doers. First impressions are that the book also shares some of the flaws attributed to Blyton – rather sexist and traditional character roles, formulaic in approach and slightly stilted in style. The old-fashioned teenagers' names and lack of apparent technology adds to this impression, as does the excessive sighing, gasping, breathing, imploring and grumbling rather than just saying. However, once the plot picks up pace and layers, and the colorful secondary characters begin to add depth, the story becomes quite riveting. The sense of the present immersed in the past is compelling; possibly the author has a better feel for history than for young adults. Certainly, the personal histories and portrayals of the older adults in the story are refreshingly interesting, particularly the mansion ‘ghost’. Ultimately, the story wraps up with a very satisfying, all-plots-tied up, feel-good ending. Perhaps the Enid Blyton tag is misleading – broader themes covered in the book include war and its tragic effects. In general, however, the book presents the predictable, harmless, rollicking adventure of a classic Blyton. Recommended.
This book is touted by the publisher as an Enid Blyton-style adventure for children and young adults, complete with tunnels, an abandoned mansion and a cast of evil doers. First impressions are that the book also shares some of the flaws attributed to Blyton – rather sexist and traditional character roles, formulaic in approach and slightly stilted in style. The old-fashioned teenagers' names and lack of apparent technology adds to this impression, as does the excessive sighing, gasping, breathing, imploring and grumbling rather than just saying. However, once the plot picks up pace and layers, and the colorful secondary characters begin to add depth, the story becomes quite riveting. The sense of the present immersed in the past is compelling; possibly the author has a better feel for history than for young adults. Certainly, the personal histories and portrayals of the older adults in the story are refreshingly interesting, particularly the mansion ‘ghost’. Ultimately, the story wraps up with a very satisfying, all-plots-tied up, feel-good ending. Perhaps the Enid Blyton tag is misleading – broader themes covered in the book include war and its tragic effects. In general, however, the book presents the predictable, harmless, rollicking adventure of a classic Blyton. Recommended.
June 8, 2013
Young Adult mystery told from several viewpoints and based partly underground in a maze of secret tunnels.
The characters are likable with authentic teenage flaws and the multi-view narrative worked well.
A page-turning adventure that 10-14 year olds should enjoy.
The characters are likable with authentic teenage flaws and the multi-view narrative worked well.
A page-turning adventure that 10-14 year olds should enjoy.
June 12, 2014
I enjoyed this adventure story set in Australia. It felt like a more modern and exciting "Famous Five" story. I think that both boys and girls would enjoy this book.
May 12, 2015
Read for Readers' Cup - good, fast paced adventure set in modern day Sydney. Only quibble I had was the children finding a newspaper from 2005 and there was no explanation why.
October 22, 2023
Enjoyed the idea behind the story
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews