The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good

When Fran is reluctantly taken to stay with Uncle Pete and Aunty Liz for almost a week, while Mum goes to help Dad at a conference, she expects to have to spend time with her cousin Imogen, although they really didn’t get on very well, but she is very surprised when her Aunt and Uncle deny all knowledge of a daughter called Imogen, even though her bedroom door is clearly labelled. Fran had met Bex, delivering newspapers in a sequinned dress, on her way into the house, and although she heartily disapproves of her outfit, she feels that Bex may be able to help solve the mystery of Imogen’s disappearance, and we know from the first chapter that she is right. A seemingly nice lady called Cecily Quincey, owner of Stillness Hall, calls to deliver produce from her estate, but on seeing Fran, she instantly becomes very rude and tells her to keep well away from the Hall – no children are allowed. Fran is baffled, and, although she has been told that ‘Imogen’s Room’ is full of junk, at night she creeps in to check, and finds exactly what she expected to find: a girl’s room, with photographs – and a diary…

Interspersed with the chapters describing Fran’s experience, in a different font, we gradually learn the story of Stillness Hall, the twelve stone statues in the garden, and why children disappear and are forgotten by those who knew and loved them. Fran and Bex investigate, and when Imogen reappears but Bex disappears, Fran and Imogen join forces and devise a daring plan to rescue Bex.

This is a clever plot and makes for a very exciting and enjoyable story. The ups and downs of girls’ friendships are important, and realistically described: Kirsty Applebaum is good at relationships, as your reviewer found in her first book, The Middler, and the resolution at the end of the book is very satisfactory.