Uncategorized

A Little Nancy in Sarah Martin.

The Secret of the Old Clock. That was the name of the first mystery novel I ever read. Being easily bored and thus rabidly mouthy, I am sure my mother thought best to send me in down the dark paths of the mystery genre in order to appease my inquisitive (and annoying) mind.
Something about a young woman sleuth made me feel invincible. Something about a young woman sleuth made me feel invincible. Nancy had it all: brains, beauty and youth.

Today, unfortunately, we are bombarded with muscles and phallic weapons of war. And instead of intellectuals using reason to solve problems, we just blow things up. However, thanks to Caroline Rennie Pattison, my Nancy Drew days are, like stirrup pants, back!

The Sarah Martin series features the sleuthing skills of grade 9 student Sarah Martin. In the first book, The Whole, Entire, Complete Truth, Sarah moves to a new town and is quickly involved with a mysterious secret about an old stable. In the highly anticipated second book, The Law of Three, Rennie Patison has Sarah involved with a family that practices Wicca. The young detective attempts to get to the bottom of the nasty rumors surrounding the family but along the way she is wrapped up in an old murder case.

I am thankful for writers like Renie Pattison and the stories she creates. It’s not often we think about the power that authors wield, especially YA authors. However, when I finished those Nancy Drew books I felt empowered and every time I close the cover for the final time, I knew exactly what I wanted to do; I wanted to solve crimes.

Ok, so I don’t solve crimes. (Heck, I barely commit crimes) But what those books taught me has lived with me forever: constantly challenge yourself and everything around in order to become the best person you can possibly be.

 To read a feature on Caroline Rennie Pattison click here

To read about Super Sleuths including Sarah Martin click here

© 2008 Defining Canada.