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A review by eastofreaden
The Colour of Bee Larkham's Murder by Sarah J. Harris
5.0
This book was one of the most original mysteries I’ve ever read, and the initial reason I read it wasn’t even because it was a mystery. It was that the main character, Jasper, a 13-year-old boy, has synaesthesia and experiences the world as a kaleidoscope of colour. He is also on the spectrum and has prosopagnosia (face blindness). Jasper befriends his new neighbour, Bee, but when she is murdered, he doesn’t know the extent of how much he is involved.
As you experience things through Jasper’s point-of-view, the reactions of those around him and flashbacks to previous events, the complete picture begins to piece itself together. A lot of the time, you are putting things together before Jasper is. As the details started to form fully, I remember being genuinely shocked by what was revealed to me as his memories untangled.
I also want to add that Jasper's autistic traits are written respectfully and genuinely. I've read several other books with a main character on the spectrum, and they can easily come across as a parody of what it is. Harris did a lot of research, including working with the National Autistic Society and interviewing many people with autism, including a woman with prosopagnosia and synaesthesia. She took the right steps, and it shows.
As you experience things through Jasper’s point-of-view, the reactions of those around him and flashbacks to previous events, the complete picture begins to piece itself together. A lot of the time, you are putting things together before Jasper is. As the details started to form fully, I remember being genuinely shocked by what was revealed to me as his memories untangled.
I also want to add that Jasper's autistic traits are written respectfully and genuinely. I've read several other books with a main character on the spectrum, and they can easily come across as a parody of what it is. Harris did a lot of research, including working with the National Autistic Society and interviewing many people with autism, including a woman with prosopagnosia and synaesthesia. She took the right steps, and it shows.