More secrets in sequel

The Riddle of the Stones 
by Stephen Barker

This book follows on from The Secret of Spirits Bay [see the earlier review, "Dramatic events in story", 04/30/2014] by the same Author. To begin with the story is about the same place, the same family, and the main character Tom and his friends, though by now Tom’s mother and sister have arrived in New Zealand from England. But it seems there are still secrets because, when their house is broken into, Tom tells a lie to the Police.
  As it did in the earlier book, the narration switches between chapters. Tom’s side of the story alternates with another one from thousands of years ago, in the Middle East, told from the point of view of Hayfa, priestess and servant to a powerful Queen. She is an ancient figure but she can watch happenings in the present time by means of a mystic stone.
    What links the two stories and the characters is the object found by Tom at Spirits Bay, the powerful Staff of Solomon, that is at the centre of the action as several people try to find and own it.
    As well as moving between times, the location of the story around Tom moves between New Zealand and England. First Ana and then Tom, travel there and help unravel the mystery.
    This story will be most appreciated by teenagers between 14 and 16.

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Review by C.R.
C.R. is an intermediate school student

The Riddle of The Stones
by Stephen Barker
Publisher:  Scripta
Paperback 9781477531051; eBook 9780473218522
Available: via Amazon, Wheelers NZ, other online retailers and some local bookshops.
Or from Scripta Ltd directly via www.stephenbarker.co.nz; or email Stephen at [email protected]