The Table Cape Crusader by Kate Gordon

Award-winning author Kate Gordon is highly skilled at combining humour with heart in a way that feels natural and true-to-life in her books. The next book in her Secret Detectives Club series – The Table Cape Crusader – will keep young readers turning the pages to discover who is carrying out the dastardly deeds occurring around their town, while empathising with the players, especially Rocko, the main POV character.

There are laugh-out-loud moments, a mystery to solve, and subtle explorations of neurodiversity, friendship, kindness and compassion. Kate sprinkles those moments in life where you’re troubled and someone says something inexplicably funny, throughout the pages- which are made even more important if it’s someone you care about who makes you laugh.

Kate has done a brilliant job of this with her Secret Detectives Club (SDC) crew, developing their relationships, introspection and coming-of-age vibes even further in the second book in the series – The Table Cape Crusader. 

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Rocko Jarvis is on top of the world.

The Secret Detectives Club has landed its second case: The Case of the Missing Milk Jugs! It might not sound thrilling, but Rocko loves being in the club with his best friend Cosmo and Mingus Reid—the coolest kid in town. For a while, he can even forget about the school bullies and the way his brain sometimes feels a bit… different. This mystery should be easier than solving a haunted hall. Right?

Then a mysterious note arrives. Someone has a new case for Rocko—one so big it could affect the whole town. Suddenly, strange and silly accidents start happening. One by one, people in Table Cape are being targeted, and no one knows who’s behind it—or who’s next. As the clues pile up, Rocko starts to worry: what if it’s his mum, with her big art show coming up? Or his sister’s band, The Capers, right before their big festival gig? Or worse… what if he’s the next target?

And just when things couldn’t get weirder, strange symbols begin to appear on the town’s walls. Are they connected to the pranks? Or something even more mysterious? Rocko, Cosmo, and Mingus must crack the case before the next prank goes too far. And through it all… Bruce’s milk jugs are still going missing!

“Keep one eye open, Detective Boys. The next act of this Table Cape Crusader will happen before you know it. Who will be next?”

As the mystery unfolds and the SDC crew are foiled time and time again, Rocko grapples with his own ‘weirdness’ and that of his friends, as he navigates a trio of boys who appear to be bullies. But first impressions can be misleading. 

Add to this the growing mystery of the Table Cape Crusader and their wild and reckless practical jokes on people around the village, the threatening notes left for the SDC each time something strange is unleashed, and the big worry that the final act of this villian will target Rocko’s family, and you have a fabulous mystery to keep young readers (and old!) engaged.

I really loved the humour in this one, but also, Kate’s light touch in bringing neurodiversity, anxiety and acceptance of ourselves into the story. As well, I really enjoyed Rocko’s developing character and his gentle, caring nature for those around him. It leaves the reader feeling warm and filled with hope for the next generation, while also making you very keen for the next book! Which is coming in 2026.

x Helen

Full disclosure- Kate is my very good friend and co-writer and we are both published by Riveted Press