Digging up dirt by Pamela Hart

Poppy McGowan, a researcher for ABC Kids, is renovating her historic cottage when her builder finds bones under the floor. She knows that she must find out if the bones are human or animal. Dr Julieanne Weaver, an archaeologist, believes that the bones are from a rare breed of fat-tailed sheep from colonial times, and puts a heritage order on the cottage, delaying all renovations. When Julieanne’s body is found in Poppy’s house, Poppy and Julieanne’s attractive boyfriend, archaeologist, Tol, are under the spotlight as suspects and Poppy must use all her investigative powers to find the killer.

Fans of cosy mysteries will be thrilled to find an easy-to-read mystery set in Sydney and with a main character who works in the ABC. Poppy is an intelligent young woman and uses all her media contacts to research Julienne’s background, finding links to the conservative Australian Family Party and the Radiant Joy Church, as well as to the New South Wales Museum where she was employed. And did she have a secret lover?

With many suspects, some red herrings thrown in to divert attention and some subtle social commentary, readers are sure to enjoy Digging up dirt and go on to read the next in the series, An A-List for Death or historical fiction by Hart like The Charleston scandal or A letter from Italy. They may also enjoy books by Kerry Greenwood.

Themes: Mystery, Archaeology, Murder, House renovations, Sydney.

Pat Pledger