Tracks Of The Missing Sparknotes

Introduction: ‘Tracks of the Missing’ is a book authored by Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler, it is a part of the mystery/teen drama book genre.

Summary: Deklan ‘Dek’ Archer is a teenage boy living in a remote area attending a school mixed with aboriginal/indigenous kids and up-town rich kids. Deklan himself is aboriginal and there has always been a divide in town between the two ethnic groups. The mysterious death of Old Henry is the new talk of this small town, and the elders of the aboriginal community suspect something bigger and more powerful is at play. On top of that, the year twelves in Dek’s school are missing, late from their camp trip. The police, aboriginal community, Dek and his grandfather suspect that it is linked to Old Henry’s death. Dek and his grandfather decide to go searching for the year twelve. As the story progresses, Dek realises how fragile his grandfather’s health is, which, on top of many other things, causes him to become overwhelmed with his race against time. What Dek and his grandfather don’t know is that something or someone is watching their every move.

Favourite character: My favourite character

Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler authored the book to keep the readers guessing by the perspective it was written in. ‘Tracks of the Missing’ is written from Dek’s first-person perspective and as the readers try to solve the mystery of Old Henry’s death and the missing year twelves so does Dek. The reader’s get to read about his thoughts which influence how the readers feel and think. Since, in Dek’s perspective, it is a mystery in the death and missing persons case, the readers as well can’t solve it with the little information they get from Dek’s perspective. The plot is well spaced out. In between the rising action’s events, we get chapters where Dek and his grandfather talk or just chapters where the reader can read about Dek’s thoughts. It gives the reader time to process and reflect on the past