The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good

Fran is not excited about staying at her Aunt Liz and Uncle Pete’s house, mainly because her cousin, Imogen, is so unfriendly and bossy. However, when Fran arrives, her aunt and uncle act as though they have never heard of Imogen. Even stranger, the kind neighbor, Ms Cecily, who stops to drop off produce from her garden, turns mean as a snake when she sees Fran. Fran does some digging, starting in Imogen’s room, and notices that Bex, a local girl about to move, is featured in some of the pictures on the walls. While Bex doesn’t exactly remember Imogen, diary entries and unfocused memories lead them to a garden with 12 statues, and one of them looks suspiciously like Imogen. It will take some skillful dodging, quick thinking, and unbreakable courage if she is going to save her stinky cousin.

This fabulous, thrilling tale is great for fans of Mary Downing Hahn and Dan Poblocki who may enjoy a dark turn on The Secret Garden. Short, alternating chapters introduce both the sorrowful legend behind the statues and the story as it unfolds by the cousins. Creative, original, well done.