Rita's Revenge; Lian Tanner, illustrated by Cheryl Orsini

At the pond in Little Dismal there is a strict list of approved duck activities - chasing cows and pigs, mockery, rude songs, piracy, bullying, revenge, warfare and general thuggery - and a good duck would never step a webbed-foot outside of these lines. When scruffy and no-good chicken Clara starts spreading terrible lies about the ducks, something must be done to put a stop to her. With wanna-be poet Rita disgracing herself at the talent show and besmirching the good name of ducks she takes up the challenge to get revenge on Clara, restore her own reputation and be welcomed into the flock again.

Rita finds help in her quest for vengeance after befriending Tracy, a local school girl. But revenge isn’t the only thing going on in Little Dismal and when a plot to chook-nap Clara is uncovered, chook, duck and girl must join forces to unravel a mystery and save the day…

Plenty of feathers in a flap and bird-brained fun galore in this comedy crime caper as a quest for revenge takes one duck far from the pond she calls home as she finds much more than she bargained for and must uncover a mystery and stop some criminals behaving very badly. With a little help from her newly formed ‘army’, aka Tracy and the her younger twin brothers, some hastily thought up dark and mysterious plans and the skilled art of unarmed combat, Rita finds herself on the adventure of a lifetime. But will brave and heroic acts, a generous serving of duck poetry and an unlikely friendship be enough to save Clara? And will saving Clara instead of seeking revenge be enough for Rita to redeem herself in the eyes of the other ducks?

This is a quacking mystery with two engaging character voices that narrate the plot and keep readers abreast of what is going on in their own unique style. The story is told from the view points of both Clara and Tracy in alternating diary entries. Rita’s diary is hilarious and as she cannot tell the time and is uncertain on the days of the week she comes up with her own descriptions. Tracy’s story is expressed through letters that she writes to her friend Jubilee who has left town. Although none of the letters actually get sent as Tracy has no idea where Jubilee actually is.

With messages around being true to yourself, not judging others and finding your flock, Rita’s Revenge is a delight. And if you can’t get enough of Rita and friends then I point you in the direction of A Clue for Clara which is another fun mystery from Lian Tanner that will delight animal lovers. You’d be ‘quackers’ to miss out on all this feathered fun!

With huge thanks to Allen & Unwin for the copy I received in exchange for an honest review.

Recommended for 8+.