by Scarlett Li
with illustrations by Sian James
A Storymix collaboration
Location: sleepy Leighton-on-Sea.
The Mystery: Optimus (a money plant) is toppled over in Lucky House, the town’s only source for Chinese food, threatening widespread misfortune and calamity. Burried in the debris is an ancient coin, one which leads straight to a legend involving a 19th century Chinese diplomat and a secret treasure box…
The Detectives: Lucky House’s Felix and best pal, Isaac, “brothers from other mothers, as well as true partners in crime-solving”.
First in a new, cosy crime, middle grade series by Lui Sit (writing as Scarlett Li) which positions a British-Chinese immigrant family at its heart and then surrounds them with a full cast of lively secondary characters, such as Bennie who decompresses from his paramedic work by knitting especially itchy clothes to Know-It-All Nina Ding's poised parents who take ‘Keeping face’ to the next level. Even the people who make up Lucky House’s queue of customers are perfectly individuated. With unforgettable names like Sweet and Sour Granny, No Peppers and Only Chips Please, they each have small and perfectly formed back stories.
Of course, centre stage are Felix and Isaac, so very different in character but bonded in their love of mystery and by their love for each other. The push and pull of their friendship is written with both lightness and subtlety. We’re given a keen insight into the tensions they negotiate as Felix’s single-minded, impulsive, spirit comes up against ‘brainiac’ Isaac’s more cautious approach. Likewise we sense that Felix’s outrage, as Isaac brings nemesis Nina into their detective circle, is tinged with jealousy. We observe them as they unknot some of those more difficult feelings and as they, always, come back together. As delivery boy, Ed, observes “You kids are intense. And complex”.
It is quite something that we’ve got so far in to this review without mentioning the food. All of the action occurs against a dizzying tummyfilling, background platter of dumplings, buns, sticky rice and every imaginable width of noodle. The author says she was inspired by hanging out in the kitchens of Western Australia’s Chinese restaurants, introduced by Chinese immigrants who arrived after Australia ended its White Australia Policy (1901-1970s).
Other things of note: wonderful scatterings of Cantonese phrases and sayings; Isaac (who is of Jamaican heritage) manages heightened allergies; Isaac is raised by his dad following the death of his mother 3 years previously. Age 7-11, Paperback 170pp