The Deadly Camera

The Ballygandon gang are back in this their eighth book and once again Gordon Snell has given us a rattling good read that proceeds at neck-breaking speed from one page-turning incident to another.

The Ballygandon gang are back in this their eighth book and once again Gordon Snell has given us a rattling good read that proceeds at neck-breaking speed from one page-turning incident to another.

The story can perhaps at best be described as a mixture of the time honoured formula of the gang of youngsters versus the world of nasty, stereo-typed adult criminals. In this case the criminals have been snatched from the headlines as corrupt politicians meet rogue developers and their henchmen in a scheme of double-crossing that involves stolen diamonds, a luxury yacht , in part financed by taxpayers money, and a spin-lady called Lavinia. who is as reliable as a snowflake in the Sahara.

To their great annoyance and fear, Brendan of the Ballygandon Gang uses his 'deadly' camera to photograph a bribe being paid and from then on the chase is, literally, on by land and by sea.

Characters from the previous books also contribute to the action. There is Grandfather Locky, the nasty Mrs O'Rourke and the ghost of Princess Ethna, who appears at crucial moments to help the gang members to solve problems.

The age group that this refreshingly, uncomplicated tale is aimed at will certainly enjoy the directness of the style and the fact that everything is so clear cut. The good are good. The bad are bad and have no saving graces whatsoever. Great fun for all.

The Deadly Camera by Gordon Snell from Poolbeg.  €6.50. Ages 9-12

Tony Hickey