The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good
- John Bolton
- Sep 1
- 5 min read
Wr. Kirsty Applebaum
Ill. Margarita Kukhtina
Pub. Nosy Crow
Age Range - 8+
A hidden garden. An ancient tale. A missing child. This is an addictive mystery with crossing narratives that's impossible to put down. Fran doesn't want to stay with her aunt and uncle and her annoying cousin, Imogen.
Imogen is rude and unfriendly and, it turns out, missing...
"...storytelling is powerful, too. ... we kept those tales alive. We told them in the streets, around the fires, at the dinner tables. We told truths and we told lies and we mixed them up so that no one – not even us, sometimes – could tell the difference.” — unknown, p.153
Do you have any idea how long I've waited to write Kirsty Applebaum at the top of a review? Anyone who knows me will know how much I love her work, with Troofriend still my favourite children's book (reigning champion 5 years in a row). So, imagine my excitement when I found out she had a new title in the pipeline! And The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good doesn't disappoint. It has all the darkness we've come to expect from her - a sort of Black Mirror Lite - with the added dimension of a dual narrative. A dual narrative! It's a bit like getting two new Kirsty books in one package!
The story is told primarily in the 1st person, which allows the reader to experience the story intimately through each character’s eyes. It's a Kirsty staple, of course: Troofriend was written in Ivy's POV, The Middler in Maggie's, and Lonny Quicke in Lonny's. In Imogen Good, the POV shifts from Fran to Imogen, and when that narrative shifts, you really do feel like another character is taking over the storytelling. The chapters written in the 3rd person are the ones which detail the origins of The Twelve Statues of Stillness Hall, which serve as the other half of the dual narrative I mentioned before.
The book is a masterclass, and will enthrall Year 5 and 6 readers with its dark, magical realism, where the uncanny quietly exists within an otherwise familiar, recognisable world. It's a complex read, with The Twelve Statues of Stillness Hall portions weaving through the book as a story-within-a-story, adding a folkloric mythos to the plot whilst existing as a tale in its own right. But for all its complexity, it has relatable characters young readers will instantly identify with, and short chapters make it a good option for a class read. And, of course, we have the themes we come to expect from Kirsty's writing - friendship, betrayal, forgiveness, and courage. Highly recommended.
try this if you liked...
Sophie Anderson's The House with Chicken Legs (explores memory, destiny, and the tension between tradition and freedom)
Sophie Anderson's The Girl Who Speaks Bear (follows Yanka, who discovers her magical heritage and embarks on a journey through an enchanted forest)
Sophie Cleverly's The Lost Twin (a boarding school mystery where one twin has disappeared and the other must uncover secrets whilst pretending to be her)
Ross MacKenzie's The Nowhere Emporium (a magical shop that appears and disappears, filled with rooms made from people's imaginations. Themes of memory, loss, and wonder)
Lucy Strange's The Secret of Nightingale Wood (this story features a girl uncovering secrets in a mysterious house. It’s grounded in realism but tinged with magical elements and emotional depth)
A.M. Howell's The Garden of Lost Secrets (set during WWI, this unfolds in a walled garden with secrets buried in time. Echoes Imogen Good’s layered storytelling)
Sophie Kirtley's The Wild Way Home (a time-slip adventure where a boy finds himself in the Stone Age. It explores themes of courage, belonging, and healing).
themes in the novel
These are some of the themes I was drawn to (SPOILERS!):
Memory and Forgetting
At the heart of the story is the mysterious enchantment that causes people to forget those who have been turned to stone. This theme raises questions about how memory shapes identity and relationships, and what it means to be truly remembered or forgotten.
"Is there anything worse than being completely forgotten?" (Fran, p.60)
Isolation
It's easy to overlook this as the story motors forwards, but let's not forget that Imogen was frozen as a statue for 11 long months, and her description of that experience is pretty harrowing.
"She remembers the feel of every creature that scurried over her heavy, stone feet. She remembers the scream of every barn owl that haunted the night. She remembers the bitter bite of March and the welcome warmth of May. She remembers each one of Ms Quincey’s daily visits, and all the things she said." (Imogen, pp. 175-6)
Friendship and Loyalty
The evolving relationship between Fran, Imogen, and Bex is central to the story. Fran’s journey from resentment to empathy, and Imogen’s reckoning with her past treatment of Bex, highlight the complexities of friendship, the pain of betrayal, and the courage it takes to make amends.
"“You have to help me find her,” I say. “It’s the right thing to do. You can’t abandon your friend.”" (Fran, p.91)
Bullying & Peer Pressure
Imogen’s treatment of Bex, driven by her desire to fit in with Tanya and crew, shows the power of peer pressure. Fran also reflects on her own unkindness, showing growth and accountability.
"She doesn’t much care what Tanya and crew will say. She knows they whisper behind her back already. Nothing new there. But the thought of losing Imogen - the girl from a few doors down who became her friend before either of them even knew what a friend was – makes her feel like all the happiness is being scooped right out of her." (Bex, p.3)
Magic & Enchantment
The magical rules of the garden and the statues are revealed gradually through the embedded tale The Twelve Statues of Stillness Hall. Magic is used as a metaphor for trauma, isolation, and transformation.
The Twelve Statues of Stillness Hall also adds a folkloric dimension, emphasizing the importance of stories in shaping belief. It blurs the line between myth and reality.
"Venture in and you’ll be turned to stone!” Uncle Pete puts on one of those voices you use when you tell spooky stories with a torch shining under your chin." Uncle Pete, p.18 (I love foreshadowing!)
Identity & Growth
Characters wrestle with who they are, who they want to be, and how others see them. Fran and Imogen both undergo significant personal growth, learning to act with courage and compassion.
"“We’ve been friends for years,” she says. “But you were right – recently I treated her very badly.”" (Imogen, p.218)
in the classroom
Here are some ways for the book to be used in the classroom, with some ideas for discussions...
Class Discussions (based on the themes outlined above)
Memory & Forgetting
Discuss how memory shapes identity. Why do some characters forget and others remember?
Isolation
Discuss what it means to be alone, and the enduring impact that experience had on Imogen.
Friendship & Loyalty
Explore how friendships change and what makes a good friend.
Bullying & Peer Pressure
Reflect on Imogen’s treatment of Bex and how peer pressure influences behaviour.
Magic & Enchantment
Think about the rules of the enchantment. How does magic affect the characters’ choices?
Identity & Growth
Discuss the ways in which characters change throughout the story - and, indeed, how our perception of them changes. What helps people grow and become better?
Classroom Activities:
Create a memory timeline for Imogen, Fran, and Bex.
Write a poem or short story titled "What if everyone forgot me?"
Explore symbolism: What does the pink geode represent?
Friendship role-play: resolving conflict between Imogen and Bex.
Create a "Friendship Charter" for the class.
Diary entry from Bex’s POV after the dare.
Write a letter from Imogen to her past self.
Map the magical rules from The Twelve Statues of Stillness Hall.
Design your own enchanted object and write its backstory.
Debate: Is the enchantment fair?
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