posted on 27 May 2019

The Jesse Tree by Linda Hurcombe

I do love a good cosy crime whodunit so was delighted to see that this new YA story had one at its heart. It even had a map of the area included, which is guaranteed to entice me to read further.  Add to the mix a country manor house in a sleepy rural backwater and the character Summer Locke, a Roma Gypsy girl who dresses like a boy who seems to be at the heart of the mystery, and I settled down to enjoy.

The murder of blind Mr Brockton Wheatley at Pucklethorpe Manor has only just been discovered by the police when Robin Swallow arrives from a busy city to live in nearby cottage in the heart of the Borderland countryside with her mother and older brother. She is excited about what her new life might offer and even her first evening promises adventure when she sees a face looking through her bedroom window. This turns out to be Summer who is keen to be friends and to confide secrets about her close relationship with Mr Wheatley. It seems that he had regarded her as something of a protégée and she had also proved to be an invaluable companion as she had helped him with his historical research into the origins of the beautiful painting of a Jesse Tree on the ceiling of his cellar. As the girls spend more time getting to know one another and investigating the history of the painting, they realise that the journal kept by Mr Wheatley shows that he was fascinated with the story of Camelot and possible connections with the Arthurian legend to Pucklethorpe Manor .

At first I was rather taken with the romance of the well described countryside and what seemed to be an idyllic lifestyle as Robin’s American mother, Indeedy gets underway with her new home baking business. She seems very easy going and generous and welcomes Summer to stay with them at their cottage, as she had previously been living at Pucklethorpe Manor.  Robin also has the opportunity to learn much more about Summer’s Roma heritage when she meets and spends time with her fortune - telling Aunt Esmeralda who lives in a traditional varda caravan.

Early on in the story we meet Mrs Kiss, the mobile librarian who welcomes Robin to the area and several other kind, friendly people come forward. But, apart from the on-going murder mystery, there is darkness not far beneath the surface of this community, especially the nasty Meat Loaf and his biker gang who hurl racist abuse at Summer and soon wreak havoc at Robin’s birthday party.  This mixture of light and shade continues and provides interesting texture to the story. In line with all the best fictional amateur detectives, the two girls choose to forge ahead with little regard for danger. There are so many questions to answer. Was it really Lady Charlotte Bulwar-Lytton who had killed her ex- husband? Why won’t Summer tell the police what she saw when she was hiding in the house when she witnessed the murder?

The author’s note at the end of the book explains that the story is based on a real unsolved murder. It also provides interesting background to the legend of the Tree of Jesse and a glossary of Romany words. I was intrigued with this story that is packed with fascinating information about Roma traditions and stories throughout. Summer and Robin develop a deep friendship with mutual benefits that help them to cope with starting together at a new school in the autumn term and preparing them for other big changes in their lives. The final courtroom scenes where Lady Charlotte is on trial kept me hooked and I’m not going to spoil the final denouement by revealing what happens. I recommend that you try reading this unusual and complex story for yourself. 

 Karen Argent

May 2019