The bird singers by Eve Wersocki Morris

Ren and her daughters are living in London following the funeral of her Polish mother - Layla and Izzy’s grandmother. Babcia was a scholar of folklore and much loved, so the girls never remove her gifts of amber amulets. Ren packs them up and heads back to live in a ramshackle cottage in Lowesdale, where Ren grew up. In the first half of the novel, Ren’s childhood experiences form the back story, published as italicised mini-chapters.

In Lowesdale, dreams and visions of a whistling, old white-haired woman intensify. Ren, Layla and Izzy are increasingly spooked by noises, intruders and incidents such as strategically placed dead birds. After a lot of sleuthing, Layla learns who or what has lured her mother back. So many adventures alone, together or with neighbourly James, entailing bike rides, bus rides, scooter rides, and boat rides to interview, or research or generally investigate criminal, historic and supernatural events will win over mystery fans.

As the pieces of the puzzle are gathered, Layla has no idea whether the sisters inherited their mother's Polish genes that gift them powers of a Vilsestra. But the mishaps and suspicious characters keep coming. After Ren is taken in dramatic fashion, Seb/(Dad), Henry the sleezy landlord, his son James, the suspicious Mor Hemlock and Mr Speckleback the museum curator, all help lead the girls to Mesula, a powerful Vilsestra. Will their combined, untested powers be enough to defeat her? To stimulate curious minds add an epilogue, map, a few graphics and a concise glossary of Polish folklore.

If you like mysteries and stormy, spectral battles between the forces of good and evil, don’t leave this one on the shelf.

Themes: Supernatural, Mystery.

Deborah Robins