Girl defective is the story of Skylark – Sky, her younger brother Seagull – Gully and their father Bill. Gully has ‘issues’. He wears a pig snout nose all day and night and he is also a budding sleuth. The book is punctuated with Gully’s often funny Memos, as he investigates acts of vandalism and bullying.

Bill runs his second hand record shop in the old way. He is struggling to cope with a world increasingly relying on the internet, even though his business is slipping. He battles to keep life on an even keel in the hope that it will help Gully’s problems subside and he also has an alcohol problem.

Sky is nearly 16, she craves friendship but at the same time she rejects it. Her embarressing home life makes her hesitant to start up relationships that may mean she has to bring people into her private space. Her efforts to bring her Dad and his business into the 21st century, her anger at her mother for leaving and her slow and considered steps towards friendship and love make a great yarn.

I cared about what happened to these characters. I was interested in the various crimes that occured.

The story is sad, funny, poignant and suspenseful.

I will definitely read more of Simmone’s work.