From the inside front flap: "A scuba diver goes missing - and the Hammond twins, John and Cathy, with their cousins Richard and Ann Cooper, set out to solve the mystery of his disappearance. After meeting the missing man's brother, the teenagers are soon jolted into danger as they try to piece together the events of the young diver's last days on Stewart Island. The odd doings of fishermen's neighbours arouse suspicion, as do discoveries at a spooky house around the point. An unlighted schooner that comes and goes only at night heightens the mystery, and this is far from solved by the investigation of a strange object lying anchored underwater, waiting - for what? Tension increases as more clues are uncovered, but only after the girls visit a lonely muttonbird island does the answer seem near. Before the true facts are revealed, however, the young searchers are involved in many thrilling happenings on the sea as well as on land. Set in a remote area of New Zealand, Hazard Island is a modern adventure story for boys and girls of 8-15 years."
Phyl Wardell wrote a number of mystery books for children between 1960 and 1985. They are all about children on holiday in the South Island who end up solving a mystery. She meticulously researches the area and background of the books she writes, which results in some wonderful living literature.
What I liked about Hazard Island:
The plot is engaging and exciting. It is a mystery and not predictable. There are a few twists too.
The characters are fun and likable, especially Ricky (Richard), but sometimes you just want him to stop talking. He does liven things up though.
After everything is over you are just happy the twins are able to get back to their original holiday plans of fern collecting and recipe book making. These are the days before screens. LOL
You learn all about paua, how it grows, different types of paua, its uses and how to cook it.
You learn a little about mutton birds and their habits.
What I didn't like about this book:
How the author introduced the Maori characters. They were introduced as full of superstitions, fearful, and closed off to strangers. Cathy also looked at Mrs Rains and assessed how much Maori was in her. Mr and Mrs Rains are important characters in the story. They own Hazard Island and help Tony and the children solve what happened to Tony's brother.
Other notes about the book:
Hazard Island is fictional, but all other locations in the book are real.
There is lots of dialogue in the first chapter, but once you get past this, the story picks up.
The word "damned" appears in the first chapter. "Shut up" is used a couple of times.
I highly recommend this book for boys and girls aged 8 and over.