The Peacock Detectives

Approaches tender topics with unflinching courage and aplomb.

The adults in Cassie’s world avoid discussing sensitive topics, leaving Cassie’s power of observation and writing as her only form of agency.  While the unresolved and unexplained story lines might frustrate readers who seek closure, others will recognize the feeling of being deemed “too young” to understand. 

The lost peacocks are secondary; friendship and family come first, making this detective story a good choice for any realistic fiction fan, mystery lover or not.

"Eleven-turning-twelve years old" Cassie narrates this story, set in small-town Australia. Her father, an English teacher who always wanted to be a writer, teaches Cassie many writing tips ("be good at details," include an "Inciting Incident") that she shares in the text. He also named the observant girl a "Peacock Detective" when noting details helped her to track down the neighbor's escaped peacocks, William Shakespeare and Virginia. Cassie plans for her story to be about the latest peacock escape, but then her dad begins having more "Those Days"—depressive episodes—something Cassie understands because she sometimes has them, too. Though Cassie tries to avoid seeing the problems facing her family, she employs her observational prowess when her mother moves out, mean girl Rhea keeps telling Cassie her dad is "crazy," and a secret about her beloved grandfather is revealed. This quietly powerful journey deals honestly with the impact of depression and such social issues as gun violence in the U.S. Debut author Nugent sensitively portrays Cassie's struggles with family and friends as she grows to see that true bonds can be both hard won and well worth the effort. Ages 8-12. (Jan.)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 3-6--Eleven-year-old Cassie is an expert when it comes to tracking down her neighbors' peacocks, which go missing frequently. She's less confident, however, when it comes to dealing with changes in her family. Her older sister is making choices that Cassie doesn't understand, her beloved grandfather is ill, her father is sinking into depression, and her mother seems to be separating herself from the family. Even her best friend Jonas is acting strange and moody. Can Cassie unravel the mysteries she's facing in life, or will they prove to be too much for her detective skills? This Australian import has plenty of quirky charm. Though the mystery element is slight, there's plenty of character development, and the book touches on many family and friendship situations with which readers will empathize. Fans of Sheila Turnage and Susan Patron are a natural audience for this story. VERDICT Purchase where there's a need for realistic fiction dealing with family issues.--Misti Tidman, Mansfield/Richland County Public Library, OH

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"The Peacock Detectives comes to life with charming simplicity, careful symbolism and delightful imagery. Debut novelist Carly Nugent has added a tender touch to the serious life topics of family breakdown and change, grief and mental illness and gives hope in the form of friendship, self-discovery and acceptance."—Magpies Magazine