Bird by Rita Murphy is an odd little novel.  It is the quirky story of Miranda – a literally windblown waif who lives in Bourne Manor with the pitiful widow Wysteria Barrows.  The book feels like a cross between Series of Unfortunate Events and every classic, lonely orphan story you ever read.  Bourne Manor itself is an evil character in the story; certainly a malevolent version of Green Gables.

The mystery of Bourne Manor’s proported hidden treasure was a satisfying surprise to me as a reader.  Much remains unexplained in this book, however, and the ending leaves you, not actually hanging, but certainly wanting to know what happens next.  

As I said, a quirky book; it will probably only appeal to dedicated readers.