What Was Lost by Catherine O'Flynn

I actually started and finished this book in the shop today - it was that quiet! I simply loved the story, it got me through a dark, wet and windy Friday! The story starts off in 1984 with Kate Meaney, age ten, who has her own detective agency - assisted by her cuddly monkey Mickey. Yes, I know that sounds a total load of rubbish .... but I can assure you that this is a very well written and classy piece of writing! Most of Kate's surveillance takes place at the local shopping centre, Green Oaks. She takes notes on anything she finds unusual from the woman sitting day after day with a pushchair but no baby to the man sitting outside the bank looking nervous. She's a really lovable character - her mother abandoned her as a toddler and her beloved father died recently of a stroke. Kate now lives with her maternal grandmother who loves afternoon quiz programmes and bingo - basically Kate looks after herself. Her only real friends are Adrian aged 22, the son of the local newsagent and Teresa - the naughtiest girl in the class!
The story then jumps ahead 20 years and we meet new characters, Lisa, Adrian's sister, who is duty manager of a music store in Green Oaks and Kurt a security guard. Lisa finds Mickey the Monkey in Green Oaks one night.
I really don't want to give anymore of the story away ....... it's a great book. Every chapter has a random anonymous monologue from a customer at the shopping centre which is a great touch.
It's one of those books that remains with you after "The End" - it's so simple and, yet so effective. I really look forward to the future work of Catherine O'Flynn.