I had loved Running Out of Time, Simon Fox's book that I read last year - so I approached with caution. However, there was no need as I loved this one too!
Archie doesn't seem to be able to concentrate on the homework in front of him on the dining room table.He just has the urge to put his wrist into his police officer dad's handcuffs that lay on the side. After he could resist no longer, he does it. He will be able to slip his hand out - he's sure he will. But after lots of trying, there's no luck with that. So, he has to confess to his dad what he has done and ask for the keys.
"Oh, I lost them months ago," Dad says. Dad walks over to the table but rather than helping he slams the other half of the handcuffs onto the table leg where it met the top. He was trapped. Archie tries to hold his temper and the almost overwhelming desire to just smash everything up. He tries to think of the techniques his counsellor has taught him. His temper had been getting the better of him since his mum had died and the techniques he had learned had, undoubtably, helped.- but why should he use them?! Archie screamed at his dad. How was he going to get him out without a key!
" With this," Dad replies and tosses Archie a paperclip. Archie's anger and ffrustration fuel his dertemination to pick the lock and get free. After a long time and many attempts, he does it! He is free! This event is the start of 'Race Night' Every week son and dad race to unpick different locks. Not only does this start to bond them back together after struggling with their relationship after Archie's mum died but also gives Archie some skills he is going to come to depend on sooner than he can imagine.
In the middle of one night, Dad rings Archie and tells him there are people trying to get into the house and he has to get out - but not before he retrieves something from a drawer with a false back. This starts off a chain of events that sees dad arrested and Archie on the run.
This is a fast paced, page turner of an adventure/mystery/thriller. I absolutely loved the mix of family relationships, friendships, the twists and turns. Did I have to make big leaps of faith to believe some parts of the story? Of course I did .Was it difficult to believe that a sixteen year old would know some of the things Archie knew? Yes. But was it worth it? Absolutely! No question! It is well written and kept you wanting to know what was going to happen next ...and let us be honest, I have been suspending reality since I read Famous Five and Secret Seven! I loved every page of it!