Reviewed by Wendy Lipke
This book, which is the final in a series, is the creation of Reece Carter, a high-profile Australian nutritionist who has also written two non-fiction books for adults. He has appeared on many of Australia’s major television networks and his written work has featured in The Australian Women’s Weekly and GQ as well as on countless blogs. He grew up in rural Western Australia and now lives in Sydney.
The Lost Notes of the Soul Spinners is the final instalment in the ‘Elston-Fright Tales’ series, which is about a village in disrepair which draws mythical creatures who have decided to stay in the area. Some, who choose to chase power for themselves, resort to using their special skills over others, making this village an unsafe place to be. To gain this power they need to find two sets of documents, the Lost Notes of the Soul Spinners which have the power to grant a single wish and the Magical Maledictions.
For readers who are familiar with the earlier books of this series, The Girl, The Ghost and the Lost Name, published in 2022, A Girl Called Corpse (2024) and The Lonely Lighthouse of Elston Fright (2024), they will already be aware of the wide cast of most unusual characters. This story includes werecreatures from the sea, wraiths, ghosts, sprites and soul spinners as well as a large huntsman spider.
The names of the various characters in this story would really grab the attention of young readers especially young boys who are usually not drawn to reading. There is Scraggleknee, Gorflunk, Girl, Corpse, Faye de Corail, Mr McKraken to name just a few. This is a story filled with whimsy, magic and weirdness.
The chapters change narrators, but two young female ghosts, Girl and Corpse, are the main speakers. As well as progressing the story, these characters share personal thoughts with the reader. They want to save the town and in trying to do so, they learn information about their past, something that was not available to them when they became ghosts.
Black and write illustrations can be found throughout this book including a sketch of the area around Elston-Fright. On two sides of this map are scribbled the words WITCHES many times.
These pictures are done by Simon Howe, who is an illustrator and author of children’s literature, animation, storytelling and design. He has worked with several notable Australian authors on books for children and has designed and directed animation for advertising and television. His long-time collaboration with ARIA award-winning children’s band, Teeny Tiny Stevies, has seen him produce more than a dozen animated music videos.
The use of primary colours on the cover showing a cartoon of key characters from the story is sure to draw the attention of young readers. This series has lots to attract and maintain this audience. I found this latest book, The Lost Notes of the Soul Spinners, an interesting read even without having read the previous books in the series.
The Lost Notes of the Soul Spinners
(2025)
by Reece Carter
Illustrated by Simon Howe
Allen & Unwin
ISBN:978-1-76106-680-1
$18.99; 352pp