Friday Barnes is the social skills champion of her immediate family. We already knew this, although if you haven’t seen Friday interact with any of her family before (other than Uncle Bernie), you may find this hard to believe. Now we get more Barnes family conversations than I think I’ve ever been a part of as we spend time with a couple of her siblings and her mother.

‘Just when you thought this family couldn’t get any odder.’

But first we have to escape Paris and lose Ian. Oh, and witness Friday being tortured by makeover.

But eventually we make it to Switzerland, where Friday participates in … a team sport? Wait. That can’t be right. There’s even cardio in this book and now I’m questioning whether this is a Friday Barnes book at all.

Okay, Melanie has just woken up from a nap and explained it all to me. Melanie is in fine form this book, staying awake for entire scenes at a time and reminding us she’s a human lie detector. Every time she calls someone out for lying, she makes me think of Saga’s Lying Cat.

Friday and Melanie’s friendship is just perfect, and is perfectly summed up for us here:

“They had formed a symbiotic relationship. They were like algae and fungus combining to make lichen. They thrived together, but it was hard for either one of them to cope alone.”

I had intended on acting with restraint where this book was concerned. I was going to wait for my library reservation to come in and it was going to be okay because I’d beaten all of the kids to it so I was the first one in the queue.

Then the book was released and my plan two months in the making fell apart. I caved and bought my own copy. You’re welcome, next person in the library queue.

‘Do you still play girl detective?’

Why, yes she does. For starters, there’s the Mystery of the Missing Manuscript, the Problem with the Passport, the Cleaning Conundrum, a Blackboard Brainteaser and some Toothbrush Trouble. We also learn about the benefits of babysitting and the joy of jail, and generate zeal for zip ties.

“‘When did our lives get so complicated?’ asked Friday.
‘For me, it was the day I met you,’ said Melanie.”

I am so ready for the complications of the next book. I have been (im)patiently waiting for my invitation to Binky’s wedding. I’m not sure if I’m going to need to get all dressed up for the next book or not but the end of this one tells me I’m going to be on the lookout for him at the very least. I can’t wait! I adore Binky!

Have fun dressing up as Friday Barnes in disguise this Book Week, kids!