Have you ever wondered if the people who live in a funeral home were scared or eldritchly?
Ash Harrier’s “The Deadly Daylight” will clear up all of your misconceptions as she introduces you to Alice England, a precocious twelve-year-old girl, who lives with her father in a funeral home, and her unwonted clique. Though the unlikely threesome of Alice, Violet Devenish, and Calvin Lee seem harmless enough, the Zombie Queen, Ultraviolet, and Cal’s friendship manifests under the haze of a mystery.
Nothing interesting happens in Damocles Cove. Ever. Until the untimely death of Violet’s uncle George. But is his death really a mystery? Alice believes there is more to his death. But why?
Harrier’s witty writing of Alice’s attitude to her temporary guests normalizes being surrounded by death and sadness daily while she works with her father in the funeral home. Alice never knew life without dead people whom she always treated with respect. Alice finds solace in working alongside her father and finds she can connect with the temporary house guests. These strong intuitions propel Alice to investigate Violet’s uncle’s death. Unwillingly Violet tags along with Alice in her search for the truth which later becomes an obsession. Would the obsession destroy the new friendship? Was George’s death really related to his health? Was it an accident? Murder? Everyone is a suspect, including his niece Violet, maybe even Cal.
The chapter book is an easy read. Comical interactions between Alice, Violet, and Cal keep you entertained as they hang out at school, the funeral home, and some unseemly gatherings at the pier and wharves on the Australian coastline. Alice’s over-the-top vocabulary and keen investigation skills make the mystery fun. But how can it be fun with a rare genetic allergy, illegal exotic animals, and a funeral home all part of the plot?
Well, you have to read the book to find out!
I would recommend the book for kids ages 13 and older. And grab a thesaurus when you read the book!
