Tan is the youngest of four very different girls: bossy Emerald, girly Amber, Goth-in-the-making Rose and, finally, Tan, who loves adventure, new words and making the most out of being a kid. The girls are united when the family move to the countryside with their menagerie of temperamental pets, including Doodad the poohuahua and Queen Victoria the tortoise.

An early encounter with a ghostly presence puts any fears that the countryside might be boring right out of their heads. Tan’s keen detective skills are also put to the test, and the group work together to solve the mystery.

This is a thoroughly modern, funny and Australian version of Enid Blyton’s Secret Seven. The plot has enough flesh on it for the upper end of the age group, a dash of peril to keep them on the edge of their seats and even a dog called Awesome.

Great fun for ages 8 to 12.

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[missing asset] Emily Gale is a Children’s & YA Specialist at Readings Carlton, and a Children’s & YA writer the rest of the time. Her other title is ‘Mum’, or more accurately ‘Muuuuuuuuum!’