Review: A Girl Called Justice (Justice Jones, #1)
Gaby Meares
I am a huge fan of Elly Griffiths’ adult crime series featuring Dr Ruth Galloway, so I couldn’t resist reading her first book for children. And what a treat it is.
A Girl Called Justice is set in 1936 and Justice Jones is sent to Highbury House: School for the Daughters of Gentlefolk. ‘As soon as she saw the school, Justice Jones knew that it had potential for murder.’
Up to this point, Justice has been home schooled by her mother. But after her mother’s death, her father, a famous QC, thinks it best for Justice to learn with children her own age.
Justice is delightful company. She’s determined to find and solve crime, particularly murder and it’s not long before her wish is granted. She experiences the usual boarding school problems: bullies; terrible food; inadequate heating and overbearing teachers. But she also quickly makes firm friends and allies and together they work to discover who is responsible for a series of unexplained deaths at the school.
Elly Griffiths has created a feisty and appealing character in Justice Jones; one that young readers will be able to identify with easily. She’s missing her mother terribly, but is also a typical 12 year old girl, looking to make friends and solve crime.
I’m looking forward to reading more of Justice Jones’ adventures.
(And the wonderfully detailed floor-plans of the school at the start of the book are a delightful bonus!)
Highly recommended for readers aged 8+.