Title: The Rag and Bone Shop

Author:  Robert Cormier

Release Date: 4^th July 2002 (New edition)

Publisher: Puffin Teenage Books

Alicia Bartlett had last been seen on the patio of her home by twelve-year-old Jason Dorrant, about four o’clock on the afternoon of June twenty-ninth. Now Alicia has been brutally murdered and Jason, as the last person – except for the killer - to see her alive, is being interrogated.  Or did Jason kill Alicia? His interrogator is a man who is famous for always getting a confession from the suspect. Will he get a confession from Jason?

Jason is a quiet twelve year old boy. His friend Alicia is murdered and he is the last person to see her alive which makes him the prime suspect for the police. An unexplained playground fight meant he has a reputation for violence. However, through Jason’s thoughts, it becomes clear that things are not that straight forward. Jason appears innocent but the police are desperate to find the culprit and hire an out of town interrogator, Trent, to question Jason. Trent’s methods are tried and tested and he is confident that he can get a confession from Jason. But is Jason guilty?

Throughout the novel we see into the lives of several of the main characters and understand the motivations behind their actions. Jason is under pressure from the start of the novel to confess and things become more heated when Trent is unsure of Jason’s guilt. However, interrogating Jason, Trent has to consider his career and unbeaten record when obtaining confessions. Both Jason and Trent come out of the interrogation changed, their lives and the lives of the people around them changed forever.

The plot was really engaging as the events surrounding what happened to Alicia Bartlett unravel but this isn’t the main story. More emphasis is placed on Jason and how he responds to the pressure of being interrogated and this is what gives the story its really interesting twist. I really don’t want to give too much away as I would definitely recommend reading this book!  

The ending was really haunting, showing the devastating consequences of comparing thoughts and actions. Be prepared for a really disturbing conclusion! The novel is an easy read with a crime theme and so is suitable for anyone with an interest in this genre, although things take a psychological turn and it becomes apparent that this is much more than a whodunit.  The novel is well written and delves into the mind of the interrogator as well as the interrogated. Absolutely brilliant!

5/5 If you aren’t a fan of crime, you soon will be!