What's Hector KcKerrow Doing These Days?

Catherine Jinks

Pan 2000
171p pbk $14.95

ISBN: 0-330-36233-X

Mercy Whetton loves the soap called ‘The Family Way’, and what she loves even more than that is the hunky star Hector McKerrow who plays Zac in the soap. Mercy decides to start a message board on the Internet to find out all she can about him. At first there isn’t much interest, but that all changes when Zinglebrit has a clock radio up for grabs. Things start to pick up a bit. Soon it’s a race between all walks of life to see who can get the best information. Then things go too far. Zinglebrit takes back the offer. Suddenly the message board is famous. Mercy considers closing it, but doesn’t. Then the climax of the story. The police are involved. Mercy closes the board, something happens which will change her life forever.

What’s Hector McKerrow Doing These Days? is an intriguing and unpredictable story, written by Catherine Jinks. The book is aimed at an audience of no younger than 13. It’s definitely a read alone book. The story reminds me of a realistic thriller. The quality of writing is quite outstanding; Catherine Jinks uses a very modern style of writing with some very challenging and descriptive words, along with every day slang. The book is fairly easy to read, and like all good books, every chapter leaves the reader in suspense. This book would be good for someone who’s looking for something different, something out of the ordinary, because the story is written in a series of messages sent to the message board.

Erika, aged 13, Canberra, ACT

What's Hector McKerrow Doing These Days is the story of a young girl wishing to find infomation about her favourite old time movie star, Hector McKerrow, by starting up a billboard on the internet.

With lots of strange and funny twists through out the book, What's Hector McKerrow Doing These Days? is a definite book to read. This book would best be suited for older teenagers due to the fact that there are a number of difficult and strange words to understand. But other than that it is an all round funny book to read. You won't want to put it down!

The topic and the structure of the book was quite original which made the book more enjoyable. Overall I think it was an awesome book, which I really enjoyed reading. I recommend it for teenagers between fifteen and seventeen who wish to read something with a bit of a twist through it. I give this book a 7/10.

Cassey, Year 10, Canberra, ACT

Hector McKerrow used to be a star of a TV series ‘The Family Way’ in the 1960’s. And now thanks to pay TV and a new audience he’s hot once again with his own fan website dedicated to learning everything about him. Macy Whetton is a twelve year old fan of Hector’s and when she innocently tries to make contact with him she starts a worldwide search that turns deadly. All sorts of people from everywhere want to find Hector for their own strange reasons and Hector also has his equally compelling need to stay hidden. The mystery escalates in tension and drama as the tragic consequences of this electronic manhunt unfold.

This novel is both exciting and deeply chilling at the same time. It exposes the underlying dangers of delving into a person’s private life and pursuing them beyond the boundaries of sanity. The internet is a technological breakthrough in communications but when that asset is used for evil it can be devastating for it’s victims. I found this book absolutely fascinating from start to finish and strongly recommend it.  Suitable for teenage to adult readers.