City Bongo

Grade 8 for me was around 2000 – 2001. I remember very vague details about the book. Now that I think back, it is not a children’s book – slightly advanced reading level. It was full of symbols.

Some details:

It was set during the 1950’s or a bit later in the West, Europe or NA, I do not remember. Perhaps Europe.
A boy, mid-teens, is the protagonist, an introvert and very detail oriented.
Goes on vacation with his family. They visit Three Different Villas. Or perhaps Three Different Villas are next to each other.
Villas and the surroundings are described in detail.
This one chapter focuses on a praying mantis he finds in a room and its fight with another insect.
There is a old doctor character, pinched the French maid’s bottom once I recall.

I know it’s in my head but I can’t seem to pull it out and it’s driving me quite insane. I can’t sleep, been searching for hours.

I’m sure its a classic English author we’ve all heard of at one point or another during our school lives. I remember reading Animal Farm around the same time.

Please help me out