KEY POINTS:
A small beachside Christchurch community is rocked by the discovery of the body of Lucy Asher, an attractive 17-year-old, who had been strangled and thrown into the sea.
A group of 15-year-old boys become amateur sleuths. They interview people, collect newspaper clippings and study forensics in their desire to find the murderer.
The boys' clumsy investigation has a wry Famous Five feel to it, and even 20 years after the event they are still discussing Lucy and following leads.
Carl Nixon has skilfully recreated provincial 1980s New Zealand. Just when the story was beginning to lose impetus, the Springbok Tour shatters the claustrophobia. The protesters marching down the main street, the slogans and endless back-and-forth arguments have been perfectly captured.
Rocking Horse Road started life as a short story. I hope Nixon writes many more novels.
*Random House, $27.99
- Detours, HoS
