M.G. Leonard, Clutch (The Twitchers #3), Walker Books, April 2023, 320 pp., RRP $16.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781529506105
Clutch is the third book in the award-winning Twitchers series by M.G. Leonard, which starts with Twitch and continues with Spark. It is about the adventures of a bird watching enthusiast named Twitch and his gang of mystery solving friends, known as The Twitchers.
When Twitch and his best friend, Jack, hear the terrible news that eggs have been stolen from the nest of a rare peregrine falcon, they decide to act. Together with the other Twitchers, they set about tracking down the criminal egg collector operating in their village of Briddvale.
Initially the story is focussed on developing the characters of The Twitcher friends and their relationships, identifying suspects from amongst some colourful and eccentric adults, and setting the scene of the picturesque town of Briddvale and its surrounding woods. The action picks up when Twitch is framed, and the friends must work fast to prove Twitch’s innocence and prevent more egg thefts. Can their elaborate plan to trap the ruthless egg thief succeed?
Reading this book reminded me of my childhood enjoyment of Enid Blyton mysteries. As is typical of a well-written detective story, it had me guessing and wondering about the outcome of the mystery. I also enjoyed the interesting characters – both the adventurous and daring children and the eccentric adults suspected of egg thieving. The complexities of the children’s friendships and the different competencies that they bring to the mystery solving collaboration is interesting and relatable. There’s also humour and interesting facts about ornithology and animal preservation woven into the story.
Although Clutch is part of a series, it reads well as a stand-alone novel.
The target audience is upper primary age (about 9-12 years old). I recommend it for this age group who enjoy stories of friendship, adventure, and mystery.
Reviewed by Barbara Swartz