by Eva Frantz
Translated by A.A. Prime
Cover Design by Jo Walker
Published by Pushkin Children's
Pushkin Press
The Mystery of Raspberry Hill was originally published in Swedish as Hallonbacken by Schildts & Söderströms in Helsinki.
*Although set in Finland, this book was actually inspired by a visit to Hampton Court Palace in London, which is said to be haunted by many ghosts*
Stina has never had an easy life - growing up in Sjömansgatan, in a family of six children, without her dad.
As this story opens, we learn Stina is ill & is being sent to a sanitorium where fresh, countryside air, good food & doctors with advanced techniques might improve her condition.
Her mum, Märta has knitted a cardigan. It's an oddball kind of cardigan - made by unravelling wool from various outgrown garments - with several different colours where one ball of wool ended & the next began. It's very special because everything else Stina ever had was handed down from her sister or sometimes even her brother Olle.
They didn't have much so Olle was very protective of his most beloved & treasured possession - a copy of Robinson Crusoe - but he very kindly gave it to Stina to take to the sanitorium.
With just her doll, Rosa, to spend time with as she lays in bed, days might be long & boring for Stina. She's the only patient on Ward 14 but she meets Ruben & things change. He's on Ward 23. Stina doesn't know how far away it is - but she's curious & worried about Ruben.
As her days in the sanitorium melt together, Stina starts to wonder about Ruben & the mysterious woman she'd seen during the first few days there. There's definitely something strange going on, but who can Stina trust?
Usually, Stina would follow rules but with Ruben there to show her the grounds, the chance to leave her empty, silent ward proves irresistible.
He's her only friend & is a great source of information. Ruben seems to know a lot about everything & everyone there.
There's an icy lake, some curious accidents & a darker angle to this story but you'll have to read it to solve the mystery.
*Thank goodness for Ruben*
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