AustLit

'Time seemed to have stopped as Franca jumped slowly backwards through the air. A pair of hands clutched at her...

After school Franca works as a gardener. She dreams of training at Horticultural College but getting better marks seems impossible.

However, Franca is no fool. After their quest for the missing painting, the homes of her three friends - Melissa, Louise and Rebecca - have been robbed and she is convinced that someone is plotting against them all. But they don't believe her. So Franca must work alone...as a Student Detective Extraordinaire! But what does she know about chasing criminals? Will she walk blindly into danger? And what does the dark-eyed Jason Honeywell know about the whole mysterious business?' (Publisher's blurb)