Children's bookclub choice: Knightley and Son by Rohan Gavin

RachelMumsnet · 2014-01-02T17:59:08+00:00

Our final book club choice for January is the rather wonderful Knighley and Son by Rohan Gavin. Alan Knightley was London's top private detective until he went into a coma four years ago. Now he's woken up to discover his son has inherited the family talent - and their services are urgently needed. [[http://www.mumsnet.com/books/childrens-bookclub/2014/knightley-and-son-rohan-gavin-giveaway Read an extract]] and find out what author Rohan Gavin says about the book. If you know a reader who you think would enjoy this hilarious but thrilling tale of crime and family relationships then [[http://www.mumsnet.com/books/childrens-bookclub/2014/knightley-and-son-rohan-gavin-giveaway apply for a free copy]]. We'll let you know on Tuesday 7 Jan if you've been selected to read and review.

Picturesinthefirelight · 03/01/2014 20:42

My son read & reviewed this book a couple if months ago. He loved it despite it bring very different to his usual Wimpy Kid, Captain Underpants, David Walliams books

MNHQ

AliceMumsnet · 07/01/2014 15:26

This giveaway is now closed. We will notify those who have been selected via email and they will receive a free copy of the book.

MrsShrek3 · 08/01/2014 17:59

Yay we've been picked!
Book marking thread for when it arrives and bookworm boy gets into it.

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 16/01/2014 11:02

Ours arrived and DD has snaffled it and taken into the Black Hole we laughingly call her room... should it resurface I shall read it too, the couple of pages I glanced at before she got hold of it were intriguing enough to make me want to finish it and she must be enjoying it to have actually carried it off with her.
I'll do a proper review when we've finished.

MNHQ

AliceMumsnet · 17/01/2014 11:19

We hope you have all received your copy of the book by now? We would love it if you could provide some feedback or a mini review to tell us what you or you DC thought . Happy Reading!

sallyc06 · 17/01/2014 12:52

My grandson Jake aged 12 loved this book, he just couldn't put it down, what an exciting new plot.

kateandme · 18/01/2014 02:33

we loved this book.it got me intrugued from the blurb on the back and we were itching to read it.all of us.
id say adult and younger ones would enjoy this.
its fun.its original and really quirky.
great book i shall look for more

MrsShrek3 · 18/01/2014 08:52

ours has just arrived. ds2 has grinned from ear to ear and disappeared it into his room.

MummyBtothree · 18/01/2014 18:09

Fab book....thank you so much :)

UniS · 18/01/2014 19:17

I got this today- have started and am about 10 pages in already, its romping along at a nice fast pace. I'm enjoying it. will be passing it to the year 6 book shelf. Full review to come once finished.

shewhomustbeEbayed · 19/01/2014 19:02

My DD aged 10 is really enjoying it, though quirky it's quick to read and is really keeping her gripped.

lorka · 20/01/2014 10:23

We got ours on Saturday and my son has started reading. Enjoying it so far. Thank you for the book.

CarolLesley · 20/01/2014 13:34

Thank you so much for the copy of Knightley & Son, which arrived just in time for the weekend. DD, a reluctant reader, is really enjoying it and almost finished. I'm impressed by the way it is holding her attention.

UniS · 20/01/2014 19:05

Darkus Knightley is an unusually named, unusual teenager. He finds him self in an unusual adventure, desperate to help his dad and make his dad recognise that he is not a little child any more.
I enjoyed this novel, its aimed at a teen or slightly pre teen reader, but at around 300 pages it also makes a nice light who - dunnit read for an adult with a taste for short book. I expect this book will appeal more to boys than girls. There is a teenaged girl character and it may be that in future books ( this is apparently book 1 of a series) Tilly will play a larger role,but in this book she seemed to be rather a bit player.

Carriecakes · 22/01/2014 09:19

FINALLY!!! A book worthy of my his Lordship! (My son!)

My lad isn't like me,
he doesn't really read many books,
but when I told him that I'd won a copy
he thought that he might take a look!
He actually enjoyed what he read!
About Darkus and his intelligent mind,
He works so well with his detective dad
This book is truly one of a kind!
I now think my sons' caught the bug
thanks to Darkus and his uber cool dad.
The mission they take on, I won't ruin for you
but this was perfect for my 11 yr old lad!
Just know that it grabs your attention,
from the beginning right to the end
Darkus was the character my son loved the most,
I think he'd like him as a friend!

MNHQ

RachelMumsnet · 22/01/2014 09:26

@Carriecakes

FINALLY!!! A book worthy of my his Lordship! (My son!)

My lad isn't like me,
he doesn't really read many books,
but when I told him that I'd won a copy
he thought that he might take a look!
He actually enjoyed what he read!
About Darkus and his intelligent mind,
He works so well with his detective dad
This book is truly one of a kind!
I now think my sons' caught the bug
thanks to Darkus and his uber cool dad.
The mission they take on, I won't ruin for you
but this was perfect for my 11 yr old lad!
Just know that it grabs your attention,
from the beginning right to the end
Darkus was the character my son loved the most,
I think he'd like him as a friend!

Wow - that's brilliant. Please let your son know that we'll pass this on to the publisher.

OP posts:

katb1973 · 22/01/2014 12:43

My son was overjoyed to receive a free copy, thanks Mumsnet, and had this to say:

I enjoyed Knightley and son, particularly the main character Darkus. Darkus is a very intelligent boy who wants to follow in his father's footsteps and become a detective. A slight problem is that his father is in a coma. Darkus memorises his father's files and miraculously, his father awakes from the coma. What follows next is a great paced, twisty plot where Darkus and his father investigate the strange powers a best selling book is exerting on people. Darkus tries everything to impress his father and make him see that he is worthy to work alongside him. Does he manage? Read the book and find out!

leanneth · 25/01/2014 14:13

This book kept my 10 year old girl quiet for a few days (they were school days so she didn't have a lot of time each day to read)... she really enjoyed it overall and said she would recommend it to others. She is a very competent reader but said there were a few words she had to look up. (Which isn't a bad thing!) Here's what she said:

"The book was amazing. It was tense and exciting. It was mysterious. My favourite part of the story was where Tilly and Darkus climbed through the vent and searched the abandoned train station. I like all the detail in it to describe the settings and characters. It is one of my favourite books because I was able to make a film in my head of what was happening. I would definitely recommend this book to people who like detective stories and mysteries."

Thanks, Mumsnet!

MrsShrek3 · 25/01/2014 23:25

ds2 is 10 and is mid- read. I have just had a superb conversation about it with him (and I now want to read it, but he says he has to finish it before handing it over!) The vocab is "good, not simple and boring" - he likes words which challenge his human dictionary status, and he's even checked a couple with me - a good thing for an able reader to need to do.

He compared the storyline to "dr who mixed with sherlock holmes", when telling his elder brother about the plot. He is enjoying and identifying with the main character, Darkus, but is amused at a few of the character's quirks, and that other children poke fun at his name. He is finding the whole journey adventure an exciting one, and is very eager to read more. He likes that the main character has to think quickly and make decisions, and is accompanied by his dad. the vanishing villains and car chase are points of great excitement I've been told about in detail - so they must be good! He describes it very much as if he is watching a film and says that this is how he feels when he's reading the book - it's on a giant screen inside his mind.

It may even entice reluctant reader ds1 (13) to read it, which would be nothing short of astounding....particularly if ds2 continues to discuss the story with such enthusiasm.
It appears very well written, and fast paced to keep the reader's interest. I'd love to post again if I can actually get my hands on the book before the thread closes

missorinoco · 27/01/2014 21:27

This is a great read, and I can see its appeal.
I will look out for this author.

BroodyMe · 28/01/2014 19:45

I was asked if I’d like to review Knightley and Son by Rohan Gavin, it’s been quite strange for me to read a book aimed at nine to twelve year olds but surprisingly pleasant.
Knightley and Son is a crime novel about a father who’s a detective with a son called Darkus who wants to be just like his dad by being a detective too. This book is fairly slow paced at the start but gets much more exciting towards the end. I found the book really funny in places with its references to a sinister criminal group called The Combination.
My seven year old daughter is now reading Knightley and Son, she’s about half way through and she’s really enjoying it, she particularly likes Tilly the character that is Darkus’ step-sister. Darkus and Tilly are both thirteen years old but couldn’t be more different, Darkus has the dress sense and demeanour of a middle aged man and Tilly is a rebel that’s always changing the colour of her hair.
I think Knightley and Son is a great book for both girls and boys that would like to read about mysterious crimes being solved.

Yasmin1 · 05/02/2014 16:41

My son loved this book, he found the storyline good, mysterious with twists and turns. He found the characters similar to Sherlock Holmes, but with twist and he particularly enjoyed the character Darkus. This is not my son's usual book he would read, but nonetheless enjoyed the book and the story. Good book for young able readers.

nwstokes · 15/02/2014 22:10

Knightley & son A good read for able 9-11 year olds. Story keeps them interested yet some words will be a challenge. An author well worth recomending