STAGS 3: FOXES

By Author / Illustrator

M A Bennett

Genre

Suspense & Thrillers

Age range(s)

11+

Publisher

Hot Key Books

ISBN

9781471408595

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

06-08-2020

Synopsis

Greer has just recovered from her terrifying experience during the STAGS play. Was she really put on trial by the sinister Dark Order of the Grand Stag? Or was it purely her overheated imagination? The imprint of an 'M' for murderer that has appeared on her thumb, though, is puzzling but incomplete evidence... Meanwhile Ty is staying on at Longcross Manor and Greer, Nel and Shafeen are increasingly worried for her safety. When Ty sends a cryptic message directing them to Cumberland Place, the de Warlencourts' palatial home in London, they decide to risk a visit. There they meet Henry's grieving parents, Rollo and Caro. Rollo is arrogant, entitled and not overly grieving. Caro, however, while superficially charming, is clearly pushed to the brink of madness by Henry's death, insisting that Henry is still alive. Which is clearly impossible . . . but Greer has her own troubling doubts about Henry's death which make it hard to dismiss Caro completely . . . Can Greer, Shafeen and Nel work out what Rollo de Warlencourt is planning for his deadly Boxing Day Hunt at Longcross in time to save Ty - who has now gone silent? Or will history horribly repeat itself? A thrilling, richly complex instalment in the STAGS series

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Reviews

Greer MacDonald is once again reeling from events connected to the Order of the Stag, but this time no one can quite believe what she has seen, causing her to doubt her own mind. Drawn very quickly to the de Warlencourts' London home, Greer and her friends discover further secrets and secretive characters whilst mixing with the highest echelons of society. Worried about their friend Ty and unsure if Henry de Warlencourt is alive after all, they struggle to unravel the mystery and clues surrounding The Order of the Stag.

Reading FOXES, the third book in the S.T.A.G.S series, so quickly after the second I was pleasantly surprised to find that the author had toned down the film references to a minimal level that worked very well. This book introduces a whole new level of privilege and excess and sets the scene brilliantly with new characters introduced who are on the whole interesting, if somewhat stereotypical. Written recently, it has many relateable events and comments made about today's society.

The plot, as it develops, is engaging and mysterious, leaving the reader clamouring through the book for the answers. The author has used historical context to introduce a subplot and although I guessed where it was heading, it did not detract from my enjoyment of the book. I found myself researching facts after reading, something that doesn't happen often and that I see as the sign of a book that has really engaged my interest.

This series as a whole has been very readable and compelling with this book of the three my favourite. The books are thrilling, mysterious, clever and highly recommended for school libraries.

416 pages / Ages 12+ / Reviewed by Lorrain Ansell, school librarian