Children's Author
Helen Laycock
My 12yo son loves reading, so I bought this for him for Christmas, after I’d enjoyed one of Helen Laycock’s books for adults (“The Darkening”, which is also excellent).
He stayed up late both Christmas Day and Boxing Day to read it, and was absolutely enthralled. In fact, he got out of bed at about midnight on Boxing Day to tell me "It's REALLY good!" and "it was like a cool combination of the best bits of Enid Blyton and Helen Moss (the Adventure Island series)". He said “I’d give it five stars!”
Most importantly of all, he said "Can you ask the author if she would write a follow up please?". That’s a real mark of his enjoyment.
So... any chance of a follow up? ;-)
Having recently read and reviewed another of Helen Laycock's books, "Mandrake's Plot," I can once again assert that this is another gem amidst the many children's books. Children up to the age of 12 or perhaps slightly older will indeed enjoy this adventurous tale.
Salt guesthouse was situated in Pirates' Cove. Even the name of the place is suggestive of an adventure about to unfold. The author is very precise in setting the scene and providing rich descriptions of places and people - not overdone at all -just enough to enable the reader to visualise. The characters are very believable and realistic as is the dialogue. Vivid imagery and nicely flowing prose add to the strengths of the narrative.
The plot is well thought out and as the adventure begins, the story unfolds, coming to a swift resolution by the end. It is exciting and once again I am reminded of the work of Enid Blyton. Helen Laycock's books are most definitely recommended for the younger readers who I am certain will find them most enjoyable.
Strange happenings after dark, secret tunnels, a new friendship with a mysterious girl, what else would any kid want from a summer vacation in a seaside village. How about getting the chance to solve a baffling mystery? The main character, Toby, gets it all, and so will the reader.
Salt is one of those stories that pulls the reader into the action. Just the right amount of detail combines with realistic dialogue allowing you to get lost in the village of Pirate's Cove. And how can you not like Toby?
But don't think you'll be safely spying through the telescope from the attic of Salt Guesthouse for long. Your heart will be beating as you go along with Toby and his new friend Hattie as they piece together clues and encounter dangerous obstacles. Neither Pirate's Cove nor Toby will ever be the same.
Both girls and boys will be attracted to this high-adventure story that moves quickly but still manages to paint a vivid picture of a place that everyone would love to visit.
I'm reluctant to give five stars to anything, but Salt really nails my number one criteria, keep me interested and engaged. There was no doubt about it, and I think kids in the middle grade sweet spot of 9 years old to 12 years old will agree.
Salt is not what I expected, but it was so wonderfully well written that the characters truly came alive. It was an interesting adventure with many twists and turns. As with Glass Dreams, Ms. Laycock ties everything up in the end. Toby escapes his annoying brother when he goes on holiday with his Great Aunt Winifred. He is left to explore the seaside town on his own after Aunt Win suffers a sprained ankle. Toby makes fast friends with Hattie and unravels a mystery at Pirate's Cove. What could be better than reclaiming a man from the dead, cursed booty and outwitting many a menacing foe? For an enchanting read ~ check out Salt.