Swept Away: Ruth Mornay and the Unwanted Clues
Eleven-year-old Ruth’s friend and neighbor, Bea, has just died — an accidental drowning. Or so they say.
Ruth’s not so sure. Bea was sixty-four and knew the area better than anyone. She was much too careful to get swept away by the flooded Teeswater River. And now Bea’s godson, Saul, says his godmother had premonitions that she would be murdered. She even left behind a box of clues to help Ruth figure out what happened.
Accident or murder? That’s the case Ruth, Saul, and Ruth’s wayward pet chicken, Dorcas, have to crack.
Awards:
2023/24 Silver Birch Fiction, Honour Book
2023/24 Ruth & Sylvia Schwartz Book Award, Shortlist
2023/24 Violet Downey Book Award, Shortlist
Reviews
“There are many elements of this fast paced read to enjoy, including an easy-to-read writing style, subtle humour, clever observations and identifiable, relatable child characters. Saul and Ruth are a good partnership, each having nicely drawn down-to-earth personalities. Similarly, personalities of local residents, some of whom are suspects, are captured deftly. Overall, however, Swept Away is an entertaining read with Ruth’s chicken, Dorcas, or Portia the pig bringing some light relief, frequently coming to Ruth’s rescue at critical times.”
CM Magazine – Highly Recommended
“A mystery is always an alluring story but add to it a child with six older brothers and no access to computers, a delinquent but clever hen, a wandering pig, townspeople like the town snoop Mrs. Gorgonzola and Ruth’s tedious non-best friend Emily Parsons, and you get a whodunit with twists and turns but also laughter. Natalie Hyde always slips in some subtle humour to add a layer of fun.”
CanLit for LittleCanadians
“Ruth’s different way of thinking and her love of reading will make her relatable while using her perception to add humor to the story. With a great basis to draw children into the plot, Natalie Hyde delivers a story that blends murder mystery, sleuthing, friendship, quirky humor, and loss.”
Readers’ Favorite