The Catsitter Mystery

A sensitive and put-upon child is befriended by the eccentric and elderly couple next door. She minds their cat whilst they're on holiday --- and senses a mystery and danger about the house. The plot is uncomplicated, yet the twist at the end of the book is a surprise. I'm now more conscious than I was of how a 'mystery' story can be the first 'challenging read for seven to elevens. The early chapters here are eerie, unsettling of our expectations: the third year juniors I read this with tuned into the writer's ideas about empty rooms and private places. Atmospheric written by a writer from whom I'd like to hear more.