The Ambrose Deception, by Emily Ecton; The Westing Game, by Ellen Raskin; Origin, by Dan Brown

A while ago I heard about The Westing Game, by Ellen Raskin and requested my library to order it in, they said it was too old, so I had to buy it myself. That went on the back burner for a while, but I finally got around to ordering it and reading it over the summer holidays.

Also over summer, I happened to pick up Emily Ecton’s The Ambrose Deception from the library shelf and tossed it into the haul as it seemed interesting. I thought my 8-year old might give it a try (though he almost never takes my recommendations).

Also I recently found out that a Dan Brown book had published without my notice, back in 2017. I have read all his other novels, and I know some people consider them to be trashy, overhyped and not real literature, but I really like them. I love the history, religion, art, conspiracy themes and it’s fun to try ‘solve’ the book before the ending gives it away.

It was really interesting to read these three books within the same month. I feel like they all give the reader a similar experience, they are just aimed at different audiences. One for kids, one for teenagers and one for adults.

The Ambrose Deception starts with 3 children from different middle schools being selected to ‘compete’ for a lucrative scholarship. At a designated time they are given curious instructions and clues to solve. They are given a phone, a driver and money to use as they want. It’s clear to the reader that something is not right, but it takes the 3 children a few days to really get wise, get together and get to the bottom of things.

Though it is set in Chicago, readers don’t need a knowledge of that city to become involved in solving the clues and bigger mysteries. It is easy and entertaining reading for independent readers in Grade 4 and up.

The Westing Game, though older (published in 1979 and winning the Newberry Medal) it still holds its own among mystery novels for teenagers. Sixteen occupants of Sunset Towers have been named as heirs in the will of wealthy businessman Samuel Westing. In order to inherit, they must work with a partner to solve the clues assigned to them. The heirs vary in age and personality, from 13-year old, wanna-be sharemarket trader ‘Turtle’ Wexler, to high school track sensation Doug Woo, to State Supreme Court Judge J.J. Ford. It seems like each heir has secrets and connections that make them suspicious. It is almost like a whodunnit but instead of finding a killer we a looking for an heir.

Origin is the 5th book from Dan Brown based on the Robert Langdon character. For those not familiar, in previous books Robert Langdon, an expert in symbology and an all-round know-it-all, has had dangerous and heroic episodes in various cities and historic locations where his specific expertise and bravery has ‘saved the day’.

This newest instalment focuses on the growing reliance society has on technology and the receding influence of religion and spiritual knowledge. Robert Langdon’s long-time friend, showman, billionaire scientist and atheist, Edmond Kirsch, has made a ground breaking discovery about the origins of life and wants to reveal it to the world. Things go wrong and Langdon is put in a risky situation to try to honour his friend’s wishes.

Just as with Dan Brown’s other books, readers are always second-guessing the motives and actions of all characters. What are their secrets? Who will survive? How will it all end?

These three books are not the typical mystery/detective books, where the police are called to investigate a murder, suspects are identified and we, the reader, are in a race to solve the crime before the authorities. Instead, there are layers to the mystery, there are clues and secrets to guess at and uncover in each chapter.