Looking for Emily

Lily is not impressed by Edge, her new home town. Tiny and scruffy, the seaside town has little to offer and less to excite until she discovers a hidden museum- The Museum of Emily- which leads her into a mystery. Determined to find out who Emily was, what has happened to her and why she has a museum, Lily enlists the help of new friends, Sam and Jay, to solve this intriguing puzzle.

Alternating between Lily in the present and Emily in the past, ‘Looking for Emily’ is a well paced, enticing mystery with plenty of twists along the way. Although Lily is not impressed by Edge initially, its winding streets, shadowy caves and ruined lighthouse offer the perfect backdrop to the mystery and Fiona Longmuir effortlessly captures the setting and atmosphere of a seaside town.

Initially friendless, the bond Lily forms with Sam and Jay is delightful. Each is a strong individual with very different personalities, yet they come together to form the perfect team, working through problems and supporting one another. Sam’s chaotic family is a complete delight and no adventuring group of children is complete without a faithful canine companion- in this case, Sam’s dog, Costello.

For me, this was a one-sitting read as I felt compelled to find out more about Emily, uncover the identity of the sinister stranger and know whether the lost treasure existed. With its themes of friendship and family, there is so much here for KS2 children to enjoy as they solve the mystery alongside Lily and her friends. I really enjoyed it!

Looking for Emily Fiona Longmuir

Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1839942754