Outside Chance (Don't Doubt the Rainbow 2)

One evening Edie is babysitting for a neighbour, Donna, who has repeatedly caught sight of an estranged friend from overseas. What is troubling Donna, however, is that it seems she's been in the same place at the same time as this friend on a number of occasions over the past few days. At Donna's request, Edie looks into these apparent coincidences, using a combination of investigative work and conversations with her rabbi (who is tutoring Edie in preparation for her bat mitzvah) about the nature of fatalism and determinism. Meanwhile, Edie's school friend Harry Coranger is suspicious of his stepfather, who has become involved with ultra-radical anti-capitalists who, furious at the state of the planet and its greed-fuelled decline, are plotting an audacious double atrocity: a bombing and a hijacking. When Harry bizarrely disappears, Edie becomes embroiled in trying to find him and, ultimately, foil the terrorists' plans. Utilising her brave instincts and skills as a supersleuth for hire, Edie sets about resolving and averting the mysteries and crises that she is confronted with as she comes to realise that things often happen outside of chance, and outside of our understanding and control. Outside Chance is the second instalment in Anthony Kessel's four-book Don't Doubt the Rainbow series a new contemporary middle-grade detective series with a difference. To solve each mystery, 13-year-old Edie Marble must harness the Three Principles, a new approach to understanding how the mind works that is currently proving invaluable in improving mental health and well-being in children internationally. Reading age 11+.

Set after the events of The Five Clues, Edie is trying to keep a lot of plates spinning. Her detective business is ever growing with many people asking her to follow up various mysteries: first there is the case of the missing dogs, then there is the bizarre behaviour of one of her school friends' dad, and then there is her neighbour who also needs a helping hand and her best friend also seems to throw a spanner in the works. Edie is also preparing for her Bar Mitzvah as well as balancing her schoolwork and judo... How much can one girl cope with?Edie is a strong and complicated character who has very real teen struggles, but she has an old head on young shoulders which make her mature and thoughtful (but also prone to the many pitfalls of trying to do too much all at once). She has grown up a little since the last book and we, the readers, are treated to her changes and development as a detective, a student and also as a daughter. Kessel seamlessly weaves in some quite complex themes into this book: the environment and climate change, the Principles of Mind, Jewish theology and the ideas of fatalism and determinism. Kessel makes these themes accessible to all and will want to make readers explore these issues and thoughts more deeply (just as Edie does). I really loved this second instalment in the Don't Doubt the Rainbow series as I can guarantee that, 1. you won't put it down until you finish it and 2. that you get sucked straight into a world of mysteries (that are believable and so well thought-out). This brings a mystery story to the next level - and, with the promise of two more books to follow in the near future, you can bet anything that I will be recommending this book to everyone!, Supersleuth Edie Marble is on the case again, or more specifically four cases. First there is the case of the missing dogs on Hampstead Heath and in North London. Secondly the serendipity of Donna seeing a long-lost friend from university, everywhere. Thirdly Richard's case: his brother Martin has failed his first-year exams at medical school. Fourthly, finally, Harry's case: his stepdad's change in behaviour and the new friends he has found is worrying him. Like any other teenager Edie must also juggle school, homework and friendship issues when her detective work makes her less attentive towards best friend, Lizzie as well as family commitments. This seems to be culminating for her at home as she prepares for her Bat Mitzvah, a year later than normal after her mother's murder. Outside Chance, however, wouldn't be the second book in Anthony Kessel's incredible Don't Doubt the Rainbow series unless there was great personal risk to Edie, her family or her most loved guinea pig, Gunther. All the clues - Anthony cleverly includes a number of apparently missed clues that Edie does not immediately follow up - lead Edie to a terrifying possibility of an act of terrorism, but she does not know when or where. It is now just a question of when Edie will call the Police., A brilliant book! I loved Edie and the adventures she gets into - fantastically described by Antony Kessel. Overall, a whirlwind of mystery, excitement and suspense.This was an amazing book that I loved! Even though I hadn't read the first one (I definitely will after reading this one) from the very start I was hooked and needed to read on. The characters, plot and style of writing were brilliant. Our main character Edie finds herself in a sudden tangle of mystery and chaos! The plot is really engaging and exciting with lots of twists and turns as well as being understandable, A brilliant second part to Edie's adventures. I think I got more wrapped up in this one than the first.It's great to be back with Edie and her family. She's grown up a bit and now has a little babysitting job as well as her detective agency work. She seems to have quite a few cases on the go, some more serious than others. I do like the green message in this book, I love the sound of her friend's house and all the things his dad has done to make it as green as possible and it's made me want to do more than I already do. This story has more of Edie's friends in it and she recruits them to help her solve one of her cases - missing dogs.Lily O'Dwyer, Outside Chance, the second book in the Don't Doubt The Rainbow series by Anthony Kessel, is a cracking read! Fast-paced and page-turning, I read it in a couple of sittings whilst on holiday and it was the perfect mystery to enjoy at the beach. That said, it would be a good read for any time of year and I enjoyed it even more than the first book in the series.Again, the story centres around Edie, the main character, an award-winning teen detective. Her character and that of her family and friends are developed further and in Outside Chance I found Edie to be softer, more thoughtful perhaps and reflective in this story. Once again, the intrigue is layered while Edie balances her family life, school and her multiple detective cases. The outcome is not obvious as you read and there were at least three surprises at the end that I didn't anticipate. Nevertheless, all the loose threads were satisfyingly resolved.The author weaves detective strategy and psychological theories into the story and the school-based course for well-being and resilience sounded so good I wish it was available for all students. I will definitely recommend this book to all my secondary students and eagerly await the next one in the series.Ruth Cornish

Professor Anthony Kessel is a public health physician, academic and author. Since 2019 Anthony has been working in a national role as Clinical Director (National Clinical Policy) at NHS England and NHS Improvement. Anthony is an international authority on public health, a Trustee director of BookTrust, and also advises other charities on global health and mental health. Anthony has trained as an executive coach and writes a personal column - 'Global Health Experience' (https://medium.com/@AKessel) - exploring his leadership work through a lens of psychological well-being.