C.A. Martin

Before writing ‘Star City Mystery’, I was aware of a lack of books for young but able readers.

Historically books with a 'young teens' reading age, contain themes suited to young teens. This makes sense for most children. But for the young but able reader, with developed comprehension skills, there is a lack of choice. It is not uncommon for a child of eight to have a reading age of fourteen. 'Star City Mystery' bridges the gap. It makes use of a rich vocabulary and complex plots and appeals to young but able readers.

Narratively, ‘Star City Mystery’ explores the symbiotic connection between our own world and the fictional world of Ya Lamrish. In the story the stars are cats, whose eyes sparkle in the sky. Our heroein, Iris, is thirteen years old and studies astronomy. So when the neighbourhood cats begin to disappear and the stars begin to ‘go out’, Iris concludes there must be a connection. This is buddy-story, with a road trip and mystery thrown-in.