Anita Loughrey's blog. This is my journal about my experiences and thoughts on writing. As well as news about me and my books, it includes writing tips, book reviews, author interviews and blog tours.
For more information about me and my books see my website: www.anitaloughrey.com. Follow me on Twitter @amloughrey, Facebook @anitaloughrey.author and on Instagram @anitaloughrey
I write children's fiction, non-fiction and teacher resources for a wide range of publishers. I had two monthly columns in Writers’ Forum, one on writing for children and the other about authors and their research before the magazine shut down. I do school visits and run creative writing workshops . I also review children's books and do blog tours and have special guest authors on my blog. I am passionate about stationery, growing bonsai trees and walking my bearded collies.
Sue Klauber’s debut middle-grade historical novel is children’s historical fiction at its best. Based on the heroic actions and experiences of Sue’s father, uncle and aunt we follow three siblings, George, John and Eva through some of WWII’s most significant events that helped to turn the tide of the war. It is full of excellently executed dramatic scenes that will keep young readers turning the pages.
Written from the points of view of the two brothers George and John, Sue skilfully portrays the effects the Nazi invasion of Hungary had on the Jewish population during the 1940’s and how they were called to arms. We learn how George was selected to parachute into Slovakia for Operation Zinc and how John became a code breaker at Bletchley park. I was drawn in by the logistics of their missions and the consequent contributions both brothers made to the war effort.
Throughout the book there are a series of flashbacks to their childhood. These flashbacks are quite poignant in displaying how the brothers’ relationship has grown and changed. They highlight how the brothers are very different but family is important to them both. There are no chapters from Eva’s point of view. Everything we learn about her, we discover from her brothers’ flashbacks and information they have gleaned.
Zinc would be ideal as a class text to support a KS2 project on WWII. It provides an insightful reflection of what life was like for the Jews during WWII, which could be used to trigger discussions on the events and inspire empathy.
I look forward to discovering more about George, John and Eva in the sequel, Cobalt, which is due for release later this year.
Sue is available for author events in a variety of contexts, such as schools, libraries and community groups. Find out more, including contact details to discuss an event, in this flyer: Zinc by Sue Klauber: author events.
You can buy copies of Zincby Sue Klauber from your local bookshop, or online at uk.bookshop.org which supports local, independent bookshops.
Today it is my turn on the blog tour for J. A. Browne’s Earth Chronicles. I will be posting two book reviews for this tour. The first is for Hannah and the Hollow Tree and if you scroll down further you will discover my review of the sequel, Gaia’s Revenge.
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Title: Hannah and the Hollow Tree
Written by: J. A. Browne
Published by: Inkberry Press
Begin the epic coming of age fantasy and discover the nature of magic. One for every eco-warrior out there.
What if you were given a choice… to save the Mother of All Nature… or Become Her?
Awoken in the middle of the night by an alarming phone call, Hannah and her mum, Caroline rush to the bedside of Eleanor, Hannah’s estranged Grandmother. One of them has been lying to Hannah and one has been keeping a magical, but dangerous secret.
With deadly forces aligning to destroy the Mother of All Nature’s bloodline, Hannah is rushed to the safety of the Hollow Tree. But will she make it in time. And can a mysterious silverback fox keep her alive long enough to save not just the world we know… but the one we don’t…
Blurb for Hannah and the Hollow Tree by J. A. Browne
This is a heart-felt book full of emotional turmoil and complex mother-daughter relationships. I enjoyed reading about this strong matriarchal family that spans over three generations and beyond.
Hannah and the Hollow Tree opens with a prologue from Caroline’s, Hannah’s mother, point of view. Hannah is only a baby in the pram when Caroline is called to see her own mother Eleanor by Eleanor’s friend Joyce. We gain an insight into Caroline’s and Eleanor’s fraught relationship and a hint of the magical world it is their job to protect.
Chapter One then jumps to when Hannah is thirteen and is from Hannah’s point of view. We see real world through her eyes, her lack of knowledge about the mystical world and a very different mother-daughter relationship based on trust and loyalty. The rest of the book then continues to be interspersed with chapters from Hannah’s, Caroline’s, Eleanor’s and Joyce’s points of view. I occasionally found it confusing whose mother they were talking about, especially when I’d not noticed the chapter heading of whose point of view we were in.
Hannah and the Hollow Tree is packed with family angst and twists. Hannah is being pulled both ways by her mother and grandmother and the turmoil of choosing between them. In the end the choice was taken out of her hands when the survival of the whole planet becomes her responsibility.
The world building was magnificent and the story really picked up for me when we meet Alpha, the magical silver fox who becomes her guardian.
On the whole an exciting YA fantasy with an important environmental message.
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Title: Gaia’s Revenge
Written by: J. A. Browne
Published by: Inkberry Press
The epic coming of age fantasy continues. Unearth the magic of nature and fall in love with Hannah, Alpha and the Ffens as they battle to save the Mother of Nature.
“Have we weakened Gaia so much that she has become a target for annihilation? My heart suddenly feels twice its weight…For the first time ever, I hate the fact that I am human.”
Gaia, the Mother of All Nature has been poisoned. Her fevers are wreaking havoc and mass destruction across the worlds. Hannah has discovered a destiny she knew nothing about. A sacred bloodline under threat. Now, she’ll discover a world and a heritage she could never have imagined. As the heiress to Gaia and with growing power it falls to her and the Elementals, Constance, Jack and Harriet to save Gaia and all of life itself. But Hannah has a terrifying realisation: Gaia will stop at nothing to get her revenge…
Blurb for Gaia’s Revenge by J. A. Browne
This sequel to Hannah and the Hollow Tree is even more fast paced and exciting than the first instalment. So much so, it is easy to miss things. Again there is a strong cast of dynamic female characters as well as a brilliant set of mystical creatures. We learn more about Hannah’s ancestry and mission through her visions and as with Hannah and the Hollow Tree, Gaia’s Revenge is interspersed with chapters from other some of the other characters so you need to pay attention to the chapter headings.
Hannah has embraced the fact she is the bloodline of Gaia, Mother Earth, who is seriously ill and continues with her quest to save her. She has joined forces with new friends Constance, Jack and Harriet and I enjoyed the dynamics between them and the unique gifts of the Elementals.
As the title would suggest there is a strong theme of revenge as well as betrayal running throughout. There is a lot going on and the book ends with a shocking twist that turns everything on its head. In fact, the whole book is an emotional rollercoaster. One minute I was laughing out loud, the next I was angry and then I was heart-wrenchingly sad.
This is fantasy at its best with duplicitous characters and ingenious magical rules. I particularly enjoyed the links to Celtic legends and mythology and how J. A Browne has weaved her interpretations of them seamlessly into the plot.
I was lucky enough to receive a hard back copy of the book which contains bonus material at the back of The Unearthing of Eleanor A Novella. I do not know if this is in the paperback edition. I must say though the ending left me bewildered and I am not sure if Alpha my favourite character is alive or dead. I guess I will have to read Hollow’s End Part I to find out.
The prefect book for all young adults who love fantasy.
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J.A. Browne is an Amazon Bestselling children’s author born in Yorkshire in the U.K. Her environmental fantasy series, Earth Chronicles introduces you to Hannah Walsingham, a thirteen-year-old with a destiny she knows nothing about…until now.
Passionate about environmental issues, Jane began writing the climate fiction series about the death of Mother Nature and the potential that lies within children whilst studying to become a primary teacher in her home city of Leeds. Now, having graduated with an MA in Creative Writing, she followed her dreams to become a full-time author. Her love of literature began when she was little, sharing books with her grandmothers, filling her head with fairy tales and whimsical adventures.
Whilst holidaying in Norfolk, Jane was captivated by a tree struck by lightning in grounds of the home of Anne Boleyn and began scribbling down the idea of a girl whose destiny was hidden within the depths of a hollow tree…a destiny that would save worlds…
She now lives with her husband in the Calder Valley aka ‘Bronte Country’ and still teaches occasionally and enjoys reading and long walks in the countryside to get the creative juices flowing.
Sales of the Earth Chronicles funds the planting of trees.
Check out Jane’s website at www.jabrowne.com and join her “keep in touch” list to get the Secret Chapter for Hannah and the Hollow Tree. There, you can keep up to date with all the news, events or snap up an exclusive signed paperback and free bookmark.
Another writing masterpiece written by Jenny Moore and published by Maverick Press. In the third book of the Emba Oak series we join Emba as she searches for her best friend Odolf, who was kidnapped by her wicked father, Necromalcolm. Emba follows the trail back down the mountain to the Screaming Sea where she befriends the Grand Thief Master and steals a pirate ship in pursuit of Odolf, which has been perfectly portrayed on the fabulous front cover illustrated by David Dean.
I am always in awe of Jenny Moore’s characterisation and their unique voices. Emba continues to leap off the page and into the reader’s hearts. In fact, I will be bold enough to say, the whole Emba Oak seriesis a masterclass in how to create a strong protagonist voice. Written in third person we are still strongly in Emba’s mind and point of view.
Full of peril and adventure this is another epic journey that will keep the reader on the edge of their seats. I would like to thank Maverick for sending me a review copy. It was great to be able to join our intrepid heroes again and follow Emba as she discovers more about her dragon powers.
I am looking forward to the next and last book in the series.
I have also reviewed this book on Amazon.
To read my reviews of the other books in the Emba Oak series take a look at:
You can buy copies of all of Jenny Moore’s books from your local bookshops, which are always top of the list – if they don’t have the EmbaOak books in stock they’ll be able to order them in for you. Or you can purchase direct from the publisher Maverick Publishing, otherwise Jenny recommends Hive books or any of the usual online retailers, such as uk.bookshop.org, an organisation with a mission to financially support local, independent bookshops
I have been invited today to take part in the cover reveal for Anca Antoci’s latest cosy paranormal mystery, Pierced by Silver.
But first let me tell you a little about the book.
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Title: Pierced by Silver
Series: Paranormal Misadventures#2
Genre: Cosy Paranormal Mystery
Release date: March 21st 2024
Pre-order: Yes
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Here is the blurb:
“Where the boundaries blur between the living and the dead, the line between hero and monster is thin Deep in the heart of Transylvania, nestled amidst ancient forests and shrouded in centuries-old superstitions, lies the village of Vânători.
A string of gruesome murders has left the villagers terrified, and the authorities baffled. Joining forces are Ella Martin, a witch with a hidden past, Felix Goia, a brilliant but haunted police inspector, and Radu Lupu, a mysterious police captain whose supernatural nature has the potential to unravel everything.
As the bodies pile up and the villagers’ fear turns to rage, Ella, Felix, and Radu find themselves caught in a race against time. The locals suspect one of their own to be a strigoi – a relentless force that hungers for blood. They must uncover the truth behind the killings, whether it’s a human monster or a strigoi, before the village is consumed by darkness. However, their investigation takes a perilous twist when Radu, as a vârcolac, becomes the target of an unrelenting predator armed with silver tipped arrows.
With their strongest ally out of commission, Ella and Felix must hurry to save him and stop the killings before Vânători becomes a ghost town.”
Blurb for Pierced by Silver by Anca Antoci
And the moment you’ve all been waiting for… here is the cover for Anca Antoci’s latest novel in the Paranormal Misadventures series:
Based on Romanian folklore and mythology, the story follows the events of Midsummer Night’s Curse, but can also be read as a standalone.
Each book in this series features a new mystery that will be solved by the end of the story, but the dynamics between the characters may change and evolve, so I recommend that you read the books in order.
Fun fact: The wolf head on the cover is called Draco and was a religious and military symbol for the Dacians, an ancient people who inhabited what is now Romania and parts of surrounding countries (before we were conquered by the Romans 2000 years ago). It was a standard, typically made of bronze, that depicted a wolf head with an open mouth and a snake-like body.
The Draco held significant meaning for the Dacians in two ways: military and religious. It was mounted on a pole, carried by a standard bearer, and often displayed proudly during battles and religious ceremonies. The Draco played a crucial role in uniting Dacian warriors and intimidating enemies during battle. The wolf head contained metal tongues that vibrated in the wind, creating a howling sound resembling wolves or dragons. Its wind-borne howl served as a psychological weapon against the enemy, striking fear into their hearts.
The Draco also represented the Dacian pantheon, particularly the sky god Zalmoxis (serpent) and Gebeleizis (wolf). Both gods embodied power, protection, and connection to nature. Now, you may be wondering why I’m telling you all that. Since this is the second book in Paranormal Misadventures, I’ll assume you have already met police captain Radu Lupu (by the way, lupu means “the wolf” in Romanian and it’s a pretty common surname).
Just in case you haven’t finished Midsummer Night’s Curse, I’ll avoid spoilers. Let’s just say it’s relevant to the story. There’s actually a Dacian legend of the Great White Wolf I drew inspiration from. I hope you’ll enjoy the pieces of my culture and heritage I included in this story.
Like all Anca’s covers, this one too was designed by her husband, Florin.
To celebrate the release of the The Clockwork Conspiracy by Sam Sedgman last week I am posting a review.
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Title: The Clockwork Conspiracy
Written by: Sam Sedgman
Published by: Bloomsbury
Aspiring inventor Isaac Turner lives with his dad, the Chief Horologist in charge of Big Ben. But when his father vanishes from the belfry on the night the clocks go back, leaving behind only a smashed pocket watch and a cryptic message, Isaac determines to find him.
Hunting a trail of clues through London’s landmarks, Isaac uncovers a sinister plot in the gears of government and embarks on a race against time to save his father – and time itself.
Blurb for The Clockwork Conspiracy by Sam Sedgman
Review
This is a clever mystery adventure with a brilliant concept that expertly uses science and maths to validate the idea of New Time. Sam Sedgman skilfully creates a megalomaniac antagonist intent on dominating the whole world by manipulating time for their own devious ends. This exciting quest around London is well plotted and keeps a good steady pace. It had me turning the pages to find out the reasoning behind their terrible plans.
Issac Turner’s father is kidnapped in the early hours of the morning on the day the clocks go back whilst they were both recalibrating the time of Big Ben‘s clock. His disappearance prompts Issac and his new friend Hattie to embark on a thrilling puzzle-filled journey to discover why significant horologists from all over the world are going missing. The clues and their solutions are cleverly devised. Issac and Hattie are well-rounded, likeable and believable characters.
I particularly enjoyed how the book is set in London around the British Parliamentary system and some of London’s most iconic landmarks. After reading The Clockwork Conspiracy by Sam Sedgman I made a visit to Little Ben to see the clock for myself.
Ideal for readers who enjoy mysteries set in prominent cities such as:
An abridged version of this review has been published on NetGalley, Amazon and Goodreads.
You can buy copies of The Clockwork Conspiracy by Sam Sedgman from your local bookshop, or online at uk.bookshop.org which supports local, independent bookshops.
Title: Paper Dragons: The Fight for the Hidden Realm
Written by: Siobhan McDermott
Illustrated by: Yuzhen Cai
Published by: Hodder Childrens Books
Paper Dragons: The Fight for the Hidden Realm is a greatmagical fantasy adventure that had me gripped from the start. Twelve-year-old Zhi Ging was born under mysterious circumstances. From the start the reader has the impression that she has an important destiny. She grows up feeling different from everyone else in her village Fei Chui and not understand why. Her grandmother Aapau has been sent by the Lead Glassmith to the roaming tower for her final year meaning Zhi Ging has nowhere to live and will have to work in the treacherous post pipe to make a living. On top of this she is being picked on by the Lead Glassmith’s daughter, Iridill, who falsely accused her of summoning the spirit of Fui Gwai.
Zhi Ging believes her only escape would be to go to the magic training school, Hok Woh, to learn the skills to become a Cyo B’Ahon. But when she doesn’t pass the entrance exam Zhi Ging makes one final desperate bid to be accepted but her plea is interrupted by the appearance of the prowling spirit of Fui Gwai and not the whole village believe Iridill that she summoned the spirit. Now Zhi Ging has to escape the village more than ever. Through sheer determination and stubbornness she receives an acceptance lantern which allows her entry into Hok Woh where she has to succeed in twelve trials to pass her Silhouette year.
The characters are well rounded and believable. Zhi Ging’s character has been extremely well thought-out and her back story has significant repercussions for the plot which was good to see.
The world building was magnificent throughout the book. Siobhan McDermott uses all the sense to create stimulating descriptions to provide the reader with an evocative picture of the floating market, the dragon boat races and I could imagine the corridors and various classrooms of Hok Woh vividly. The map really does not do it justice but is a useful addition to help get ones bearings.
Events happen really fast especially as we reach the climatic ending. I hardly had enough time to breath. For some this may be overwhelming but for me I thought it was brilliant. I like the feel I am in the thick of the action and do get bored when reading meandering prose, so The Fight for the Hidden Realm was ideally paced for me.
The character name explanations at the back of the book made me laugh. I was impressed at the amount of thought Siobhan McDermott had put into it. However, I believe it has confirmed my suspicions on who the other conspirator is. Now I have to read the second book in the series to see if I am right.
Ideal for readers who love fantasy adventure.
You can buy copies of Paper Dragons: The Fight for the Hidden Realm by Siobhan McDermott from your local bookshop, or online at uk.bookshop.org which supports local, independent bookshops.
I have previously reviewed this book on NetGalley.
It is my turn on the blog tour for The Butterflies of Meadow Hill Manor by Stephanie Parks.
Here is the blurb:
Amy has been sent to live with her aunt at Meadow Hill Manor in Belper, Derbyshire, to help her ‘recover’. Rumours abound that the house is haunted, but Amy doesn’t care. It’s just another place to live and Amy is determined not to care about anything. What would be the point?
Amy’s obsession with shutting the world out is interrupted when she hears strange noises in the house. Here she finds herself drawn to a mysterious, magical power hidden within the building. Should she ignore it, or should she face her fears and embrace this strange, new magic?
Heart-warming and unique, The Butterflies of Meadow Hill Manor is a moving fantasy fiction which sensitively weaves themes of grief and anxiety along with friendship and discovery to deliver a truly magical story.
Blurb for The Butterflies of Meadow Hill Manor by Stephanie Parks.
Stefanie Parks was born and raised in the beautiful county of Derbyshire which became the inspiration and setting for her stories. She trained as a teacher at Derby University and after working locally for five years, decided to explore the world with her husband.
Together they worked their way around a handful of countries and are currently living in Christchurch, New Zealand. Stefanie has written consistently during her travels; her stories always linking her back to her homeland.
My stop on the tour takes the form of a book review.
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Title: The Butterflies of Meadow Hill Manor
Written by: Stephanie Parks
Published by: The Book Guild Ltd
The atmosphere and setting of The Butterflies of Meadow Hill Manor is set from the very first page drawing you into this spooky tale. The descriptions were beautiful.
Twelve year old Amy moves to Belper in Derbyshire on Halloween to live with her Aunt Wilhelmina (aka Weirdo Wilma) at Meadow Hall manor, a creepy gothic-looking house with gargoyles peering down from the eaves and no wi-fi. Not that Amy wants wi-fi as she is mute after a traumatic experience.
The plot had me intrigued but it took too long to answer important questions that may have helped me warm to Amy sooner. I liked the way the butterflies were used to help the story unfold adding a touch of mystical magic to this emotional story of loss and coping with grief.
On the whole it was a captivating read suitable for higher middle grade.
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To check out the rest of the tour take a look at the schedule:
I would like to thank Kelly Lacey from Love Book Tours for inviting me on this tour and organising an e-book copy for me to read. Thank you.
To celebrate the release of Saviour Pirotta’s latest book published by Maverick Books, I am posting a book review.
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Title: The Serpent’s Eclipse
Written by: Saviour Pirotta
Illustrated by: Jo Lindley
Published by: Maverick Books
It is always sad when we come to the end of a series with characters we have grown to love and this is how I felt after reading the final episode of The Nile Adventures by Saviour Pirotta.
The Serpent’s Eclipse sees the return of the evil Paser who we met in the first and second books of the series who has been joined by Merit and The Jackal, the antagonists from the third novel.
Paser has ramped up his goal in this final saga – not only does he want to get rid of the Pharaoh he has set his sights on killing the god Amun-Ra, so all of Kemet will descend into chaos allowing him to conquer all the land and make himself a god. It is up to the brothers, Renni and Mahu, to defeat him with the help of their friends Prince Khaem and the Fenkhu Princess, Balaal.
Again the chapters are written from the point of view of brothers, Renni and Mahu with each section beginning with an introduction from the point of view of Paser who has disguised himself with a serpent mask. The four friends split into two groups of two whose journeys take them on different paths but meet up in Per Bast and the Temple of Baslet. The final climax see the revealing of who The Jackal really is, which came as a bit of a surprise to me.
There is as usual, a useful map at the beginning of the book to help the reader find their bearing and get an understanding of where things are in relation to each other and also a glossary at the end of the book as well as some very interesting information about the significance of cats in Egyptian legends. I love the way Saviour weaves Egyptian mythology and real historical figures into the story.
Another exciting well-paced and beautifully illustrated adventure. The whole series is perfect for all young readers who have a fascination with mythology, especially in Ancient Egypt.
You can buy Saviour Pirotta’s books from any good bookshop. They’re available online at amazon but also direct from the publishers where you can often get great discounts. Here’s the address https://maverickbooks.co.uk/junior-fiction/.
Today I am taking part in the Book Birthday Blitz for Eye Spy by Tessa Buckley.
Tessa Buckley was an inveterate scribbler as a child, and spent much of her time writing and illustrating stories. After spending fifteen years working for architects and interior designers. She took up writing again when her young daughter complained that she couldn’t find enough adventure stories to read.
This led, in 2014, to the publication of Eye Spy, the first in a series of detective stories for 9-12 year olds, designed to encourage reluctant readers. The second book in the series, Haunted, was a finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2017. She lives with her husband and a large white cat called Pippa in a town on the Thames estuary, which inspired the seaside setting for the novels. She also writes about family history, which has been her passion for many years.
Her book Eye Spy is a middle grade detective story.
Over the course of ten days, the lives of thirteen-year-old Alex Macintyre and his twin sister Donna will change forever.
When Alex and Donna set up Eye Spy Investigations and start looking for a valuable missing dog, they soon have an interesting assortment of suspects. There is the mysterious man in the fur hat; a gang of bikers who hang out at the Starship Café; and Crazy Kath, the bag lady, who may know more than she’s letting on.
But as they struggle to make sense of the evidence, the twins begin to uncover an even bigger mystery in their own family. As events spiral out of control, can Alex resolve a family crisis, save Donna from imminent danger, and return the missing dog to its rightful owner?
Blurb for Eye Spy by Tessa Buckley
I will be celebrating the Book Birthday Blitz with an author interview.
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Tell us a little about yourself and the inspiration for your book Eye Spy. Why did you decide to write a spy mystery for children?
The genesis for this story came a long time ago, when my daughter, an avid reader, was ten. She told me she couldn’t find enough mystery stories to read in the library. What she seemed to be looking for was a Famous Five type story, but with modern technology. I remembered howI’d spent much of my childhood writing and illustrating stories which were heavily influenced by Enid Blyton’s books. I had always wanted to be a novelist. Now I had the incentive to prove I could do it.
Talk us through your writing process.
I usually start with a setting rather than a character. Writers are often told ‘Write what you know.’ We live in Leigh-on-Sea, a town on the Thames estuary, so I chose to set my stories in a small seaside town. My main character, Alex, just popped into my head one evening after supper, and I immediately sat down and wrote the first page of Eye Spy, where he talks about his dad, who is an eccentric inventor. The story evolved slowly from there, with much trial and error.
How do you ensure you keep children turning the pages?
I know how important this is, particularly for boys, who tend to leave books behind at about eleven, in favour of all things digital. All the books in the series are narrated in the first person by Alex, and are fast-paced and action-packed. The language is straightforward so everything is easy to understand. And hopefully the desire to solve the mysteries will also keep the reader interested.
What are the underlying themes of Eye Spy?
Money is tight in the Macintyre family, and twins Alex and Donna have few luxuries. Sadly, this is a situation many children are familiar with today, and there is also a key character who is homeless. Eye Spy also explores the way that hidden family secrets can impact on the lives of the children.
Is there a particular place you like to write?
I am lucky enough to have my own study, where I can shut myself away and write in peace and quiet, with only our large white cat, Pippa, for company.
What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
I’ve visited Bath, and Lyme Regis, which appear in Jane Austen’s Persuasion, and Poldark country in Cornwall.
What writing advice would you give to people aspiring to write a children’s detective novel?
The writing process is a lot quicker if you can, plan as much as possible in advance. This is especially useful in a detective story if you want to plant red herrings along the way. Alas, I’ve never been a planner, so the plot of Eye Spy and many of the characters evolved as I wrote, and I didn’t know until the end who the ‘baddie’ was. However, I think it’s a more interesting story because of that.
Is there anything else you would like to tell readers about your Eye Spy and the rest of the series?
Both Haunted and Lady in Red were inspired by real buildings. Haunted features an old priory, similar to the one near where I live, which is now a museum. The artist’s home in Lady in Red, and the derelict house next to it, are based on the old Edwardian house I lived in as a child, and the deserted house next door whose garden I used to play in. I love old buildings, and they have always been an inspiration to me.
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You can purchase a copy of Eye Spy by Tessa Bukley on Troubador and Amazon
In the third adventure of the Travelling School Mysteries, Libby and her Aunt Agatha Mousedale’s travelling school are based in New York where they meet Libby’s best friend’s godmother, actress Eloise Fitzwilliam and her companion Count Alverez. There is also another new teacher at the school, Miss Khatun and a new girl, Anastasia who to Libby’s disgust has to share a room with her and Connie.
This is another well plotted book and it was good to be able to join the believable and relatable characters again. In Libby’s Manhattan Mystery we discover a few new things about their backgrounds. The illustrations were the perfect match gorgeous the text helping to bring the diverse range of characters to life. I also liked the map of New York and vignettes of the main characters at the front of the book.
The clues to the mystery take them to many of the iconic landmarks in New York including the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Times Square, Central Station and Central Library. I was totally immersed in the setting, reminding me of my own visit to New York especially as I was also lucky enough to ride in a helicopter.
The ideal book for all young cosy crime readers who love finding out more about major international cities. A great addition to primary school libraries.
I have also reviewed this book on NetGalley, Goodreads and Amazon.
Much To Do About Writing 