Product reviews for The Five Clues (Don’t Doubt the Rainbow 1)

We all found this book an easy read – the evolving mystery is engaging and there is a clear progression throughout as clues are solved. Similarly, more information is revealed about the characters, especially characters such as Zero, as the plot progresses, so it is good to feel a build-up of depth of understanding as well, as the plot twists and turns. There are lots of murder mystery novels and dramas, but this is the first one I have read which has a child as the lead role and it is interesting to read the story from a child’s perspective. Also, it is distinctive that there are very few reliable, straightforward adults in the story so it’s clear that children can’t just trust people because they are adults! For example, when Dr Martial warns Edie not to interfere like her mother, it is clear that the doctor isn’t just her father’s colleague but is a complex character. 

The ‘How it all started’ section at the front works well to set the scene of everyday, ordinary life and the experience of an average child. The first-person style here makes a good introduction before the third-person narration begins in Chapter 1. This has the effect of suggesting to young adults reading the book that ‘this could happen to you.’ 

The title of Chapter 1 (from beyond the grave) sets the tone and by the end of the first chapter, the key theme of the book is set – Edie’s mum may have been murdered. The three principles are interesting and add some continuity for Edie to be using something her mum was interested in. By the end of Chapter 2, the style of writing with direct speech and commentary makes the reader feel as though they are in on a secret with Edie. Other chapter titles such as ‘David and Goliath’ provide intriguing clues about what is coming (some sort of battle between smaller and larger forces?). The map inside the covers is good to place the settings in context. 

Edie is a likeable character and the reader feels pleased for her when things go well, such as when she finds the note from her mum saying, ‘Well done, Sweetie’. Empathy is drawn when Zero is positive about Edie’s mum too.

The Creation Pharmaceuticals and Flu-Away storyline is topical and gets adult readers thinking. It makes readers wonder how ruthless medical companies actually are but also shows how medical advances are happening all the time. There are plenty of opportunities to consider COVID-19 with the Public Health storyline. Impressive to see Jonathan Van-Tam mentioned at the end of the book! 

There are dark points in the book which may not be suitable for some younger readers, with language such as ‘s–tless’ and ‘ba–rd’ in Chapter 9, plus a knife fight. The flashback of the IED and suicide bomber may upset some children too, although for us it offers an opportunity to discuss the issues with our family. Breaking into the control room at the underground station isn’t something to be encouraged either but in the context of the plot, showed Edie’s determination. Tension builds up with words such as ‘Outside, in the shadows, a man with a scar lurked.’ Kidnapping, burglary and death threats add to the drama and made our children realise how much they appreciate a calm, safe life!

We found this a great book to read and discuss as a family. We appreciated the note from the author at the end about his own mother. There are lots of ideas we discussed such as how everyone’s lives are less straightforward than people realise and that persistence pays off. Our children found the book captivating and exciting. As an adult reader, I had a maternal concern about what would have happened if she hadn’t solved the clues, and wasn’t Edie being put at risk at several points in the plot? But thankfully there was a settled ending. We all enjoyed reading this book as there are many aspects to it such as experiencing grief and solving a murder mystery. It appealed to both males and females in our household and we are looking forward to reading the sequel which is introduced by the very last sentence of this book!