I didn’t realise this was a children’s book when I first started reading, but that didn’t diminish my enjoyment at all.

Fran isn’t thrilled about staying with her Aunt and Uncle while her parents are away—especially because it means putting up with her bossy cousin, Imogen. But when she arrives, her Aunt and Uncle claim they’ve never even heard of Imogen. Determined to solve the mystery, Fran takes it upon herself to find out what’s really going on.

The story weaves together Fran’s modern-day adventure with a fairytale-like legend, gradually revealing the truth behind Imogen’s disappearance. I particularly admired how the author managed to infuse what is essentially a children’s tale with a genuine sense of peril—it never felt patronising or watered down. This is exactly the sort of book I would have devoured in primary school.

The ending did feel a little abrupt; I found myself wishing for an extra twist or a stronger tie between the legend and the contemporary storyline. That said, for the intended age group, the resolution makes sense and avoids overcomplicating the plot.

One of the things I most appreciated was the subtle handling of themes like standing up to bullies and staying true to yourself. These ideas were present throughout, but never heavy-handed.

Overall, this is a solid and engaging read that blends mystery, folklore, and a relatable protagonist. It’s made me think I should dip into more children’s fiction—sometimes it captures magic that adult books don’t.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fran is no fan of her cousin Imogen. Nor is she happy to be staying with her aunt and uncle's family.

But even she is worried when it seems that she is the only one who remembers her less-than-inviting cousin after lmogen mysteriously disappears. But how is it even possible that Imogen's parents and best friend could just forget about her?

And what is Fran to do when this apparently leaves the responsibility to do something firmly on her plate?

This is a mysterious and somewhat magical tale with echoes of classic stories from the past. It will appeal to a wide range of readers.

The chapters are split between the current-day narrative, in which Fran must solve the mystery of her cousin Imogen's disappearance, and an older narrative that tells the history of a strange and sinister garden on the Estate Imogen lives in. This was such a wonderful book. From the very beginning, the story is beautifully paced and manages to introduce the various characters' problems with friendship/growing pains with a fast-moving and enchanting plot. The historical narrative that looks at the magic that brought about the current situation is also full of poignant reflections on the nature of storytelling itself, beautifully encouraging younger readers to reflect upon this in the midst of this heady and fast-moving book. A lovely treat.

This was a really enjoyable read! The strange disappearance of Imogen Good is book that follows our main character Fran who is on a mission to save her cousin Imogen who everyone seems to have forgotten.

To start, Fran is a really likeable main character for children to follow. She is determined and resilient in her mission to save Imogen despite originally not wanting to spend any time with her. I think this is a great dynamic for children to read because you may not like a person and still want them to be safe. This book has a running theme of friendships/ family and the people who are directly involved in your life. I also think Bex was a great character, imagine if you were a kid and your neighbours niece came to stay and started talking about a girl she swore you knew. (Bex “let me go ask my mum”) I think Fran’s whole reaction felt very realistic to how a kid would react.

The chapters of this book are short and alternate between chapters in Fran’s POV to a tale about the 12 statues. I think the alternating is a great way to build up suspense and readers are left questioning how the tale relates to the statues until the reveal. In a few instances however the change in storylines feels a bit abrupt and frustrating because Fran or the storytellers POV are getting interesting. This wasn’t a majority of the time and could just be a personal issue. (Side note the storyteller’s story reminded me of a picture book that got read to us at school where one child was turned to stone and needed to be turned back. Reading this book made me feel nostalgic because it’s a similar story just a bit aged up.)

When you think the mission is complete it’s revealed more work needs to be done, at this point Imogen is back and has her own POV which I think is a good contrast to Fran’s perspective. The whole lesson of Bex being picked on is seamlessly integrated into the story which I think makes for a productive conversation with kids about being kinder to others without being overly preaching or taking over the mystery. At the end I think an epilogue would have been nice to neatly tie up the story but it’s still a satisfying ending with the mystery and our characters next steps explained to the reader. Again, a really enjoyable read that I think will have young readers hooked!

A perfect mix of magic and mystery, this is my favourite book I have read this year. I loved the interweaving of past and present, the clever resolution and the exciting narrative. I devoured this brilliant tale and can’t wait to recommend it as a pick for my School Book Group!

This is an incredibly readble book, great writing, rounde characters, just enough peril for the age group

Two points that won't leave my brain though, I'm sure I know the 'in the past' story, but I can't place it... If anyone knows please tell me! I remember a less fleshed-out version, or I'm getting super strong deja vu!

Secondly, it ends really abruptly. I don't think there's enough remaining story for a sequel, and as an adult, I could imagine 2-3 things that would resolve it, but if you're reading this with a kid, or a kid is reading it themselves, you might want to have some answers ready for the "what next" questions that I think will arise.

Overall it's a strong recommend

I received an advance copy for free from NetGalley, on the expectation that I would provide an honest review.

An unsettling fantasy mystery ideal for upper primary age students.

Fran is dismayed at being abandoned to stay with relatives for a few days. She doesn't mind her aunt and uncle that much but she is dreading having to spend time with her cousin, Awful Imogen. But on arrival at their house she discovers that Imogen is missing. What's worse, no one even seems to realise as they have no recollection of an Imogen Good. Fran might not like Imogen very much but she is determined to find her.

I thought the main premise of the book was very good. It plays well on the fear of being forgotten by loved ones and shows how much we rely on those relationships. Fran tries so hard to provide evidence and convince others of Imogen's existence but it is explained away each time in a chillingly plausible way.

Interwoven with the chapters following Fran and Imogen we discover the story of the origin of problems at Stillness Hall. On the whole this works quite well as it drip feeds information to the reader and allows them to come up with their own theories rather than having everything revealed at once. The Stillness Hall chapters read more as fairytale than a historical record and add to the fantasy aspect of the book. However there were a few anachronisms that took me out of the story. While technically possible, they would have been highly unusual and were things that could have been picked up in the edit and altered to something more likely.

The story deals with bullying and learning to accept who you are rather than changing for others. It also encourages empathy and taking the time to get to know others in order to understand them better.

I was disappointed by the ending which lacked a proper resolution. But I can see that doing so might have required writing a much longer story, which could put off some readers, or writing a fairytale ending where everything is magically fine to get around the potential problems such resolution would bring.

An enjoyable read, definitely chilling in places, and ideal for upper primary age readers.

Written with a cleverly crafted dual-narrative of an old story and the experiences of a modern girl, The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good is a completely captivating mystery. Hints of the unknown from the very first page will pull readers into this gripping story of folklore, threat and enchantment. This is a brilliantly unique take on the folklore-mystery genre that fans of the Aveline Jones series by Phil Hickes will adore.

Imogen and Bex have been friends for a long time but recently Imogen’s new, cool friends have been causing trouble. Always mocking and teasing Bex in her sparkly clothes and younger ways, they set up a dare to try to scare her: to sneak into the hidden garden of Stillness Hall.

Almost a year later, Fran is sent to stay with her aunt, uncle and cousin Imogen in their home on the Stillness Estate. Stillness Hall is creepy, Imogen is bossy and the cottage is tiny – it’s the last thing Fran wants to do. When she arrives, Imogen is missing yet her parents don’t even seem to know who she is. They insist they have no daughter and no one in the village knows her either. Fran is faced with a complex mystery of deadly enchantments where the wishes of the past curse the future. As the only one who remembers Imogen, it’s up to her to discover the truth.

Led into the garden at Stillness Hall, Fran uncovers the horrific story of Lord and Lady Stillness that, over the years, has transformed into folklore: The Twelve Statues of Stillness Hall. Missing children, a mysterious garden and a magic that has ideas all its own put Fran in danger. Through careful investigation and help from Bex, she unravels the most intriguing story of love, loss, hope and heartbreak.

The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good will be the perfect book to read with Upper Key Stage 2 classes this autumn. With so much to discover, children will be completely captivated by each twist and turn. The inclusion of the story of Lord and Lady Stillness provides clues to the modern mystery which students will love piecing together. This gripping story is sure to result in gasps of surprise, “aha” moments and a real reading buzz in the classroom.

A truly enchanting, poignant and captivating mystery. The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good is a gorgeous adventure about family, friendship, loss and the consequences of a heartbreaking wish. I love Fran, Imogen and Bex as well as the way the answers start to come to light, it’s complex and the ending made me hopeful for a sequel. Five stars. Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC.

a great read. a mysterious garden full of statues. missing children that only people from outside the village remember.

fran is dreading visiting her cousin Imogen for the week, but on arriving discovers that her cousin doesn't actually seem to exist. no one seems to remember her at all. part of her is pleased, she couldn't stand Imogen, and is glad not to have to deal with her. but when she finds Imogen's room just as it was...and rumours of a strange garden...Fran decides to do some digging.

this was a fantastic story full of intrigue, clever ideas and a little bit of sadness.
I had a great time reading it and a hard time putting it down. I just wish it had been a tad longer. there were a few parts that I felt were hinted at but never happened. or they did, but it was so subtle that maybe younger readers wouldn't really get it (this happens right at the end, so I don't want to say much). it doesn't seem enough for a sequel, but I'd have liked just a few more chapters to wrap things up a bit better.

Fran doesn’t want to stay with her aunt and uncle and her annoying cousin, Imogen. Imogen is rude and unfriendly and, it turns out, she’s missing.

Stranger still, no one seems to know where Imogen is, or even remember that she existed. Not even her own parents. It’s up to Fran to convince Imogen’s best friend, Bex, to help her find out what happened to the girl nobody, including Bex, can remember.

All Fran knows is that it’s got something to do with the hidden garden at Stillness Hall and the twelve statues that belong there...

I really enjoyed this book. It's not a genre I would usually read. I tend to stick more to realistic mysteries when it comes to middle grade books, but the dissappearance elements made me give it a shot anyways. I'm really glad it did. There was something quite magical about reading this book. At times I struggled a bit with the shifting POVs, but I'm glad they were included. I feel like the story wouldn't be half as great without them. I also really enjoyed the storyteller's chapters. It really made the whole book feel like a fairy tale

4.5 Stars
One Liner: Love it!

Fran doesn’t want to stay with her uncle and aunt or their daughter, her annoying cousin Imogen. Doesn’t matter if it is only for a week. However, even Fran doesn’t expect what she sees. Imogen has disappeared, and no one remembers her, not even her parents or her best friend, Bex!
Fran is not willing to let it go. She will find out where Imogen is. But first, Fran has to determine what the hidden garden on the Stillness Estate has to do with it.
The story comes in the first-person POV of Fran, the third-person POV of Imogen and Bex, and the third-person POV of another character.

My Thoughts:
Nosy Crow is fast becoming a favorite middle-grade publisher. Their books are short, quick, and entertaining! This one is no different.
It has short chapters, 2-3 pages each, and maintains a wonderful tempo. I finished the entire book in a single sitting. Also, the cover is apt for the book.
The storytelling stands out here. We get the story in different POVs and a dual timeline narrative. That ensures that we can know what has happened and see how it affects the present. This also prevents the need for an info dump at a later stage and keeps the reader hooked.
Though Fran is the protagonist, she is not the only main character. Imogen and Bex also play major roles. I like that Imogen gets a third-person POV while Fran has the first-person (since her narration is a bit more). Kids will not be confused about whose story they are reading.
Moreover, the three girls are distinct from each other. They are layered while still being kids. Neither of them is perfect. They learn, they change, and they grow – all without making the story preachy or boring.
The actual mystery surrounding the disappearance is really intriguing. I wish we had more details about the thing, but kids will enjoy the plot as it is. There’s adventure, suspense, and danger.
The ending feels a bit abrupt, but I can see why it ended that way. It’s perfect for the plot.
After asking for illustrations, I did get one in this book. The first page of each chapter has the illustration of an element from the cover. I won’t mind more, though!

To summarize, The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good is a wonderful blend of fantasy, mystery, a bit of adventure, danger, and kids who learn to look beyond appearances.
Thank you, NetGalley and Nosy Crow, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

A well told multi-narrative with interesting characters and a gripping premise.

I liked how Kirsty Applebaum tied in the story of the statues in alternating chapters before switching to the two characters' dual-narrative - it really painted the background of Stillness' enchantment.

The ending was well thought out with plenty of room for a sequel, which I would definitely read!

A fabulous book. One that I'll be recommending to my kids at work.
Creepy and gripping.

This is the perfect horror story for UKS2 students. It is eerie enough to keep you going, yet not so scary that it will stop you from continue reading it. At the core of the story is a beautiful friendship that proves to be stronger than magic, or maybe friendship itself carries magic with it? The characters sound real and relatable.

A gripping and beautifully crafted middle‑grade mystery that enchants and unsettles

From the very first page, I was utterly hooked. Kirsty Applebaum weaves together two parallel narratives with such finesse that the eerie atmosphere and mounting tension feel irresistible. The story of Fran, her mysterious cousin Imogen, and Imogen’s forgotten best friend Bex unfolds in layers, with each chapter deepening the mystery and the magic.

The setting of Stillness Hall and its hidden garden, complete with twelve enigmatic statues, is both haunting and atmospheric. Applebaum’s prose is subtle yet powerful, creating a sense of wonder and unease in equal measure. I simply couldn’t put the book down – by the halfway point I was desperate for more, and by the end I was already yearning for a sequel.

What I loved most was the emotional core of the story. Beneath the twists and turns lies a beautiful message about the power of friendship – a reminder that it’s never too late to be a true friend. The characters feel deeply human and their relationships evolve in subtle, meaningful ways that stay with you long after you finish reading.

This is a superb read for ages nine and up – and for adults too – offering chills, wonder and heartfelt emotion. If you love a smart, eerie mystery that keeps you thinking long after the last page, this book delivers. Five stars without hesitation!