A terrific story that has it all

 

5 stars

Belinda Bauer's novels are absolute gems being humorous, touching and approachable like an old friend. Her super powers extend to crafting characters the reader wants to know and care about. In The Impossible Thing we catch up with Patrick from Rubbernecker. What a joyous blast from the past! It's terrific to see him embroiled in a new adventure with his friend Weird Nick.

In this novel Nick is clearing out the attic looking for things that might earn him some extra dosh. He discovers a red egg and promptly puts it up for sale on ebay. Everything goes pear shaped from there. In parallel a story set in 1926 Yorkshire introduces us to climmers destroying and collecting eggs from perilous coastal ledges. The separate stories dovetail, in time, but each are fully fleshed out and fascinating as they unfurl independently.

Patrick and Nick tag team in classic comedic fashion bringing heart to this yarn. Patrick has Asperger’s but is very much the brains in his genius, unique way whilst Nick brings a less cerebral, more gung-ho, action to their quest. The Impossible Thing is simply fun and easy to slip into. It has sweet heft without feeling terribly heavy. It's just right, pitch perfect, and just what I needed when I read it. Joyous, as ever, it has it all. I loved it.