While there is a mystery here, most of this book is the tale of a small town during the time of the Vietnam War and the bigotry and lies it harbored. It is the coming of age story of a young boy and the tragedy of young love.  The characters were fantastically drawn. A young, exuberant cricket star who watched his parents suffer from racism and small mindedness. A young girl with secrets which could turn her heart. A young man, always on the outskirts of society, tired of being the scapegoat and reeling from the loss of his best friend. Unhappy mothers, fathers who are distant, and a tumultuous time period. The plot only thickens when a young girl goes missing. 

Jasper Jones had good commentary on the racism and sexism which is very relevant to Australia today, even with this book being set in 1960s.