Alasdair Beckett-King (text) and Claire Powell (illustrator), Death at the Lighthouse (Montgomery Bonbon #2), Walker Books, October 2023, 301 pp., RRP $16.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781529505818
It was supposed to be a holiday from solving crime but, when Bonnie Montgomery and Grampa set off on a vacation on Odde Island, Bonnie’s alter ego, the renowned detective Montgomery Bonbon, will yet again find himself at the forefront of a murder mystery. It will be a baffling case for the detective right up to the very last moment however, Bonnie (aka Detective Bonbon) is never alone on her harrowing quests to solve crime—this time, a double murder. Thankfully, Grampa Banks is at her side as well as an unexpected, trusted assistant in her friend Dana Hornville, the only person apart from Grampa who knows the real identity of Detective Montgomery Bonbon.
Back in Bonnie Montgomery’s hometown of Widdlington, the people of Odde Island are known as Oddities, a terminology that becomes evident from the moment of entry to the Island when exciseman Iain Percival stops them to ensure they are not carrying any onions. Onions are forbidden on the Island ‘by order of the Golden Fleece’.
This is the second Montgomery Bonbon detective novel, and it is just as action-packed as the first, Montgomery Bonbon: Murder at the Museum. The detective certainly has similarities to the beloved Inspector Poirot of Agatha Christie fame, sporting a smart beret and displaying a magnificent (fake) moustache as well as a rather charming accent to disguise his real identity so the visualisation of the character and delightful prose come easily to the reader.
Beckett-King is a multi-award-winning comedian and author, who delights in a little absurdity and lots of clever problem-solving. There are twists and turns in this mystery murder adventure to keep readers guessing right up until the very last chapter—or so was the case for me. The characters are delightfully quirky. Iain Percival is the pedantic exciseman and newspaper editor, Lady Wallop of Miserley is more than eccentric, the ever-unpredictable Miss Bunch is a sweet-faced teacher with a spot of treachery beneath her smile and all the other Oddities bring colour and chaos to the job of solving crime.
Montgomery Bonbon: Death at the Lighthouse is a puzzle of amusing twists and turns at the forefront of every situation. The language is page-turning— its sharp wit and lively pace adding to the humour so cleverly injected throughout the story. Of course, it is the special relationship between Bonnie and her Grampa that brings moments of tenderness amidst the crime-fighting detective work that touches the heart and gives a quiet reprieve from the mayhem.
Congratulations also to well-known illustrator Claire Powell for her brilliant and imaginative drawings which are a perfect rendition of the characters in this series of junior fiction novels by Beckett-King. Powell certainly has a talent for portraying out-of-the-ordinary characters in skilful style, giving us time to pause and consider the curiousness of each and every aspect of the storyline.
Montgomery Bonbon: Death at the Lighthouse is a great murder mystery for junior readers as well as a good read-aloud book for bedtime. It is an enjoyable well-paced fun mystery which will keep its audience guessing right up until the very last chapter.
Reviewed by Jennifer Mors
