"This book has all the ingredients: mystery, suspense, fairy-tale magic, and characters you care about."
Kirsty Applebaum’s The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good is a magical, mysterious story that feels like a classic fairy tale with a modern twist. It starts with Fran being dropped off at her aunt and uncle’s house when her mum suddenly has to go away. Fran isn’t happy about it—mainly because it means spending time with her cousin Imogen, who she really doesn’t get on with. But when she arrives, things take a very strange turn: Imogen isn’t there, and even stranger, nobody else seems to remember she ever existed.
Only Fran can see the signs that Imogen was real—her bedroom, her belongings, the little reminders of her friendships and life. But everyone else, even Imogen’s best friend Bex, insists they’ve never heard of her. As Fran tries to work out what’s going on, she’s drawn to the creepy Stillness Hall, its tangled garden, and the unfriendly Miss Quincy, who seems determined to keep her away. Fran has just one week to prove Imogen is real and bring her back before she’s forgotten forever.
Running alongside Fran’s adventure is the “Storyteller’s Tale,” a haunting story of old magic and sadness that might just hold the key to Imogen’s disappearance. The way the two stories weave together makes the mystery even more gripping.
Applebaum, who also wrote The Middler, has a real gift for creating stories that are both exciting and thoughtful. This book has all the ingredients: mystery, suspense, fairy-tale magic, and characters you care about. The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good is exciting, spooky, and beautifully told—a story that keeps you guessing and stays with you long after you finish it.
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I couldn't put it down! The story stayed with me for a long time.
I loved the book! It was my first “big book” and I was a bit worried that I might not cope, but when I started reading, I could not put it down! The story starts with two friends, Imogen and Bex, going into a mystery garden. Then we meet Fran. Fran has to stay with her aunt and uncle and their daughter Imogen in the countryside. Fran is not looking forward to it as she remembers that Imogen can be very bossy, so it probably won’t be fun to be around her.
But when Fran arrives, Imogen is not there and no one seem to even know that she ever existed!... Read Full Review
This book was eye-opening and thought provoking in all the best ways possible.
This book was amazing. As I read more of it, it definitely got better. My favourite part is when Imogen comes back from the garden and her Mum and Dad remember her again, and Fran gets really confused about everything that is going on. My favourite character is Imogen. This is because she is so organised, neat and so like me in ways I can't explain, but her character is just so satisfying to me, especially with all of her sassy comebacks. However, I didn't like how much of a bad friend she was to Bex.... Read Full Review
A hidden garden. An ancient tale. A missing child. This is an addictive mystery with crossing narratives that's impossible to put down.
Fran doesn't want to stay with her aunt and uncle and her annoying cousin, Imogen. Imogen is rude and unfriendly and, it turns out, missing... But her parents don't seem to know who Fran means - don't be silly, we don't have a daughter, you know that. So it's up to Fran, and Imogen's best friend, Bex, to find out what's happened to her.
Except Bex doesn't know who Imogen is either. All Fran knows is that it's got something to do with the hidden garden at Stillness Hall and the twelve statues that belong there. Could a mysterious old tale, a story of enchantment and death, hold the answers?
A truly original story, perfect for fans of Frances Hardinge and Jennifer Killick.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Books of the Month, Books Reviewed by our Reader Review Panels, Recommendations, Star Books, Adventure Stories, Crime & Mystery, Stories about Family and Friends, Fantasy / Magical, Thrillers, Children’s / Teenage fiction: General, modern and contemporary fiction, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Magical realism / Magical fantasy, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good is available in Paperback
The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good was written by Kirsty Applebaum and published by Nosy Crow
The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good has 252 pages
£7.19
