Review: Smart by Kim Slater

Title: Smart
Author: Kim Slater
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Books
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

I found Jean’s friend dead in the river. His name was Colin Kirk. He was a homeless man, but he still wanted to live.

There’s been a murder, but the police don’t care. It was only a homeless old man after all.

Kieran cares. He’s made a promise, and when you say something out loud, that means you’re going to do it, for real. He’s going to find out what really happened. To Colin. And to his grandma, who just stopped coming round one day. It’s a good job Kieran’s a master of observation, and knows all the detective tricks of the trade.

But being a detective is difficult when you’re Kieran Woods. When you’re amazing at drawing but terrible at fitting in. And when there are dangerous secrets everywhere, not just outside, but under your own roof.

(From Goodreads)

Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book whatsoever; it's my true opinion only.  

I received an e-book of this from Macmillan Childrens Books via NetGalley. Thank you to the publisher for giving me a chance to read and review this.

I actually enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. I haven't read many contemporary crime fiction novels, but this one worked well. It was just so interesting in so many ways.

I just want to begin by saying the cover design to the book is fantastic. It is so creative and animated; it really draws you in. 
The book reflects the cover with the characters and story.

Kieran is just one of those main protagonists that you fall in love with.
Although he doesn't outright say that he has autism - and when Kieran says he's special and has a teaching assistant helping him that no one else does - it's what we assume as a reader.
I think this is what makes the book special.

An old man called Colin is killed and as the police assume he was just drunk and "fell in", Kieran feels it in him to find the truth.

Along the way, Kieran makes friends and discovers enemies.
He is a fantastic artist and draws everything he remembers and sees into his pictures to store.

I feel this novel will go far and people will fall in love with Kieran.

The characters Tony and Ryan annoyed me to no end. I really wanted to reach into the book and strangle them.

The writing is just so cleverly done and everything is planned out well.  
The novel is also written in first person, which is great as we get to see the thoughts and feelings of Kieran and how he will work things out.

Family, mystery and friendship packed in a novel that reminds me of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time". 

The beginning of the story had me hooked and I was satisfied with the ending. 

In the end I gave this book four and a half stars. I recommend this book for all ages to read. 
It is a definite must-read!

I hope you have enjoyed this review.

 

Happy reading =) 

~Katie~