Review: A Hole in Juan

Amanda Pepper's latest investigation gets off to a slow start. There is something odd about some members of the senior class that she can't quite put her finger on. Perhaps the trials of a new staff member are colouring her imagination and there's nothing really wrong at all. A violent accident - perhaps a crime? - shakes her attempt to convince herself that there is nothing real behind the amorphous fears and whispers.

As usual, Gillian Roberts provides a smoothly professional portrayal of Amanda and her family, co-workers and friends. Current political and social issues provide part of the plot in the most natural way.

Roberts' extremely realistic descriptions of the narrow blinkered life of a school, exacerbated by the inexperience of the adolescent participants, are exceptionally well-done in this book. The nasty 'pranks', their effects on their targets and perpetrators, the very creation and unquestioned acceptance of a 'Mischief Night' combines with the fevered conviction that the senior high school year is absolutely crucial in the students' entire life to produce an unpleasant but entirely credible view of a certain segment of American youth. I might have expected Amanda herself to know that life will continue for almost all high school seniors regardless of what references they get and what marks they receive, and that the pressure is self-imposed - although none the less real for all that. But of course, she is part of the system herself. In the end, she does spot the reality behind her amorphous suspicions.

'Hole in Juan' has a slight plot which would have been short- circuited at quite an early stage if certain students had broken away from their narrow peer group long enough to tell someone what was going on - but that adolescents often refuse to do exactly that is well-known. The book is still very enjoyable for its portrayal of a microcosm of American society today, and is sure to please Amanda Pepper's many fans.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Cheryl - RAM

Book Review: A Hole in Juan