Read Time: 2 Minutes
I picked up The Peacock Detectives because my youngest is reading it for school, and it sounded like the sort of story we could share. It’s outside my usual listening bracket, aimed at younger readers, but that comes with the territory of being a dad. And honestly? I’m glad I joined in.
Cassie Anderson is eleven, nearly twelve, and keeps a Notebook for Noticing where she records all the important things that happen in her small country town of Bloomsbury. She’s clever, curious, and sees the world in her own unique way.
Sometimes with a bright enthusiasm, sometimes through the kind of fog that settles over you on what she calls her “those days.” It’s a thoughtful way to show what mild depression can feel like without ever spelling it out too bluntly.
The story starts as a mystery about two runaway peacocks, William Shakespeare and Virginia, but it soon becomes something much quieter and more heartfelt. The search for the birds weaves in and out while Cassie tries to make sense of everything else going on around her: her parents’ struggling marriage, her grandad’s declining health, and her sister’s teenage drift toward new beliefs and independence. It’s less about solving the case and more about growing up enough to understand the people you love.
Candice Moll’s narration fits beautifully. Voicing an eleven-year-old without tipping into caricature is tough, but she pulls it off with warmth and energy. Her delivery brings Cassie’s quick-thinking curiosity and occasional uncertainty to life, and she handles the adult voices with subtle distinction. The production itself is smooth, clean, and easy to listen to.
It’s a gentle, observant story that never rushes and never talks down to its audience. It handles heavier themes with a soft touch and plenty of empathy. Perfect for young listeners who like stories about real families, small-town life, and figuring out where they fit in the world.
My youngest loved the story and I have played parts of the audiobook for her which also went down well. We’ll certainly be keeping it on rotation for long drives, and proof that sometimes the school reading list gets it exactly right.
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