Title or Author

[clungeambler]

This one has stumped me for years... Back in year 9 of secondry school (1996, I would have been 13) we read a book at school which has remained in my memory ever since - unfortunately neither the title or the author has! I can vividly remember that the story was about a group of school children, who during the school holidays, found a dead body. The book also featured the stangest yet memorable phrase - Grrrr Quack! The rest I cannot remember! If anyone could shed any light at all I'd be grateful.

[Metz]

Only one that springs to mind is the body -Stephen king

[jno]

made into the film Stand by Me, if that's the one

[JamesEverton]

I think that I also read this book at school at about the same age. It's the 'grrr quack' that has rung a bell in my memory.

If it is the book that I'm thinking of, it was about a boy growing up in Nottinghamshire some time around the post-war period. I don't recall the name or the author but it seemed to be quite a dark story, with overtones of sexual abuse of children.

Not sure if that helps or if it's even the same book.

[clungeambler]

JamesEverton, that sounds the most likely!

It was certainly set in England, I think it was a council estate. The main character was staying with his Aunt I believe.

Yes it had dark tones in the story. I seem to remember that the grrr quack phrase was only used by one particular character.

[clungeambler]

This is bugging me more than ever now, probably because I'm one-step closer!

Anymore info I'd be very greatful!

[JamesEverton]

'Fraid that I can't remember anything more about what it was called or who it was by.

The 'grr quack' character was an adult who I think lured children from the neighbourhood to his house. I recall that the main character was in the boy scouts. I rememer a scene where he is playing with the tar on the road which has melted in the sun. I think that it was a little girl who got killed and that it was carried out by another of the children.

That's about all that I can remember and most of that is pretty hazy. It might jog the memory of someone else, though.

[clungeambler]

Sounds like we're almost certainly talking about the same book. Just hope someone else can shed some more light!