The Secret of Abney Hall

Susan Brownrigg

THE eleven-day disappearance of celebrated crime novelist Agatha Christie in December of 1926 has spawned many speculative theories, books and even Hollywood films… but one hundred years later, the true story behind her mysterious vanishing has still never been fully uncovered.

It was a classic mystery… an abandoned car, Agatha’s fur coat and driving licence left on the seat, abundant theories of where she might be. Was it an accident, was it suicide, was foul play involved, did her erring husband have something to do with it, or was it all just a publicity stunt for her next book?

What is known is that Agatha was eventually found at the fashionable Swan Hydropathic Hotel in Harrogate where she had booked in under the name of Teresa Neele, which just happened to be the surname of her unfaithful husband Colonel Archie Christie’s mistress.Needless to say, the discovery of the missing writer caused a buzz for onlookers and the press who descended on the hotel like bees to a honey pot but Agatha offered no explanation for her disappearance and instead retreated to Abney Hall, a gothic mansion at Cheadle, near Manchester, home of her sister, Madge, and her wealthy businessman husband, James Watts.

And it was this intriguing northern family link that became the inspiration for The Secret of Abney Hall, Wigan-born novelist and lifelong Agatha Christie fan Susan Brownrigg’s debut murder mystery… an entertaining and gleeful homage to the famous writer’s raft of memorable crime novels, and also to commemorate the 50th anniversary of her death.

Set in the aftermath of Agatha’s sensational real-life disappearance, we join the world's most famous mystery writer with her close family shortly after her discovery in Harrogate and meet our narrator, Jane Goodbetter, the private nurse who has been hired to take care of the renowned writer but has her own secret reasons for keeping her head down.

With the huge press interest and risks of privacy intrusion, Agatha is quickly whisked away to her sister’s sprawling estate at Abney Hall – a place of ‘mullioned windows and gothic grandeur’ – to recover with the help of Madge and her husband, Jim.

Agatha is undoubtedly under mental strain… she is still recovering from her mother’s death a few months earlier, is beset by worries about a current episode of writer’s block, and she is reeling from revelations of infidelity by her dashing but difficult and angry husband Archie, a former First World War pilot. Specialist doctors are to be summoned and there is already speculation that Agatha is suffering from amnesia brought on by stress. But for her nurse Jane – who is living in at Abney Hall and prefers short assignments such as this because she can be ‘almost anonymous’ – there is the constant threat of a probing press uncovering her own well-guarded secrets.

The retreat soon proves to be anything but peaceful for Jane and when a local amateur theatre troupe, run by the larger-than-life and exceedingly outspoken Delia Cherry, arrives to rehearse a macabre new play in Abney Hall’s annexe, the atmosphere quickly becomes menacing. Secrets are leaking to the press, and Jane’s own dark past at a wartime asylum threatens to surface. When a body turns up in the freezing lake and a blizzard traps everyone inside the house, the line between stagecraft and real-life murder blurs. In a house full of actors, doctors, and a cheating husband, Jane must unmask the killer before the final curtain falls, or she will be the next one silenced.

Brownrigg (pictured above) does a brilliant job on this compelling and imaginative locked-room romp which harnesses the familiar tropes of a Christie classic but embellishes the mystery with an unreliable narrator, a cast of colourful characters, playful plot twists, and a compelling list of potential suspects to keep readers on their toes.

Armed with her love and knowledge of Christie’s crime mysteries, and hours of research into the writer’s links to Abney Hall, including Madge’s enthusiastic membership of a Manchester amateur dramatic society, Brownrigg brings to glorious life the rich detail of the world of a country mansion in the 1920s.

And it’s in this house full of secrets that the Queen of Crime herself becomes a target for a hidden killer as the winter snowstorm traps all those inside, suspicion mounts and the jolly Christmas atmosphere turns decidedly sinister. A captivating and thoroughly enjoyable read for all cosy crime and Agatha Christie fans!
(Fox & Ink Books, paperback, £10.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Mending hearts, nature’s wonders and zombie worms

Mend your broken heart with an anthology of wise and comforting words, meet two star-crossed lovers longing to heal the wounds of family feuding, discover the wonder and joy of nature with a gorgeous collection of artwork, and dive into the thrilling world of some of Earth’s most bizarre life forms with an eclectic mix of new children's books

Age 12 plus
You Can Do It With
a Broken Heart
Ana Sampson

HEARTBREAK… it’s the emotion that hits like a freight train and leaves us reeling. And which teen hasn’t been there… marathon-watching The Notebook, blasting Taylor Swift, or desperately hoping for a Mr Darcy-level hand flex to solve all their problems? And when the hot priest in Fleabag says ‘It'll pass,’ most want to believe him even as their hearts remain shattered. So here to console and heal the broken-hearted is You Can Do It With a Broken Heart, a perfectly curated line-up of comforting poems selected by acclaimed anthologist Ana Sampson who has been editing poetry collections since 2009 and whose output includes two volumes by women, She is Fierce and She Will Soar. Featuring a wide range of classic and contemporary voices, her new collection moves thematically through the stages of heartbreak… shock, despair, fury, acceptance, and moving on.   

Whether you’re in the ‘ugly crying on the bathroom floor’ phase or the ‘I’m totally fine, just listening to break-up anthems on repeat’ stage, these poems get it. Their aim is to validate pain, unleash inner angst, and remind the heartbroken that even when it feels like the world is ending, they are not alone. Feel the raw, relatable wisdom of literary legends like Emily Dickinson, Rumi, W.B. Yeats, Dorothy Parker, Wilfred Owen, and Anne Sexton. And for those moments when a modern voice to scream-sing along with might be needed, discover the powerful poetry of Ada Limón, Hera Lindsay Bird, Jackie Kay, and Nikita Gill. You Can Do It With a Broken Heart is for anyone who has loved and lost, and is ready – in the immortal words of Love Actually – to get the bleep kicked out of them by love again. Not just a poetry book but a new best friend!
(First Ink, hardback, £14.99)

Age 13 plus
Cherry Tree Ranch
Meghan DeGuelle

CAN two star-crossed lovers overcome the hostility that has torn apart their families? Immerse yourself in this sweet, coming-of-age cowboy romance full of forbidden love and themes of identity and forgiveness, and set against the backdrop of a small town American ranch. Written by Meghan DeGuelle, Cherry Tree Ranch is a love story with a compelling historical mystery at its heart and stars a girl who inherits a ranch and falls for the rodeo rider she can’t have. When Dahlia solely inherits her beloved grandpa’s ranch, her life turns upside-down. Her decision to stay instead of going to college is easy, but she needs to raise money fast to avoid selling… and all she has to save her heritage are the sour cherries from the orchard and the sweet honey from her bees. Her second problem is local rodeo rider, Cash, who she can’t stop running into. Between their old family enmity and his star-rider girlfriend, Dahlia knows she should keep her distance… so instead focuses on the attentions of her school friend, Wyatt. But when Cash rescues her after a bee sting and comes to work with her in the orchard, the attraction becomes even harder to bear. And along the way, Dahlia discovers letters and diaries in an old barn that reveal a tragic love story from generations before. Among them, a secret is waiting to come to light... could the mysteries of the past be the key to unlocking the ranch’s future and could the love growing between Dahlia and Cash heal the wounds of their families’ history? DeGuelle, who is herself a ranch owner and was born and raised in Colorado, delivers an empowering and swoon-worthy romance full of favourite tropes and guaranteed to be a hit with teen readers. 
(Scholastic, paperback, £8.99)

Age 12 plus
Eileen Soper: The Wonder of Nature
Joy Baker and Eileen Soper

DISCOVER the wonder and joy of nature with this gorgeous collection of artwork from celebrated 20^th century artist Eileen Soper, who died in 1990 aged 85 and famously illustrated the Enid Blyton books. Originally created to accompany Blyton’s Nature Readers series, these vintage illustrations, plus quotes and facts, perfectly capture the intricate landscapes, flora and fauna of the natural world. Beautifully packaged, the book showcases twenty-two reproductions of the highly collectable ‘Nature Plates’ alongside the story of Soper’s fascinating life, and quotes from her nature writings and diaries. Printed on sturdy, high-quality A4 card, each picture can be pulled out and framed, or the book can be read from start to finish to learn all about Soper’s extraordinary life, her love of nature and her celebrated artistic career as an etcher, modeller, illustrator, painter, writer and naturalist. A must-have for collectors, art lovers and aspiring young artists.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, £20)

Age 8 plus
A Year of Fairy Tales
Sophie Anderson and Elisa Paganelli

TAKE a thrilling journey through the seasons and celebrations of a child’s year in this stunning collection of fairy tales from Sophie Anderson, an award-winning writer whose imaginative powers have made her one of middle-grade readers’ favourite authors. Born in Swansea but now living in the Lake District, Anderson’s trademark is sublime and lyrical storytelling, a gift which allows her to sweep readers away to soaring, evocative landscapes where folklore and realism blend together in memorable, mesmerising adventures. Inspired by Slavic folk tales and the stories of her Prussian grandmother, this exciting writer is bewitching us once again with a year’s worth of magical and extraordinary fairy tale adventures that have been passed down for generations, all illustrated in glorious colour and rich detail by Elisa Paganelli. Some are twists on classics, such as Jack and the Beanstalk and Rapunzel, while others, like The Bear and the Dragon and The Sleeping Forest, are original stories inspired by folklore and reflecting the world as it is today. With a gorgeous foiled cover and ribbon bookmark, A Year of Fairy Tales is a magnificent gift book package which brings Anderson’s astonishing writing to life against the backdrop of Paganelli’s beautifully evocative artwork. A book to read, love and treasure…
(Usborne, hardback, £25)

Age 8 plus
The Swifts: A Garden of Vipers
Beth Lincoln and Claire Powell

GET ready for a large helping of family dramas, flowers and fatalities as author Beth Lincoln makes a welcome comeback with the third book of her rip-roaring gothic mystery series starring the irrepressible Shenanigan Swift. The Swifts series is Lincoln’s gloriously quirky debut and the writer who was raised in a former Victorian railway station in the North of England made her mark from the outset with the first book winning the 2023 Nero Children’s Fiction Award and the Barnes & Noble Children’s & YA Book Award. Meet the Swifts… on the day they are born, each Swift is brought before the Family Dictionary. They are given a name and a definition, and it is assumed they will grow up to match. Unfortunately, Shenanigan Swift has always had other ideas. And after catching a killer and solving a century-old art theft, it’s now the depths of winter and Shenanigan Swift and her family are summoned to America, where Daisy’s brother, millionaire floristry heir Dandelion DeMille, is in danger. Racing to the DeMille family home – a 72-storey skyscraper greenhouse in the heart of New York City – Shenanigan is too late to stop a murder. But it’s Dandelion’s Uncle Charlie who has fallen victim to a mystery assassin. As a snowstorm rages outside, Shenanigan, Felicity, Phenomena and Erf must uncover both motive and means. But when twenty-three floors of the DeMilles’ greenhouse are packed with poisonous plants, deadly flora and murderous creatures, how will they ever uncover what really happened in The Greenhouse?

With black and white illustrations throughout by the talented Claire Powell, this follow-up to The Swifts and The Swifts: A Gallery of Rogues packs in the same brand of mischievous humour, ingenious plotting and brilliant characterisation that enthralled readers in the first two comic capers. With an intriguing mystery to solve, Shenanigan’s family antics to enjoy, and a thoroughly satisfying denouement, this is pure entertainment from start to finish.
(Puffin, paperback, £8.99)

Age 8 plus
The Curator’s Collection: An A to Z of Plants
Katie Scott and Zanna Davidson

STEP into the world of plants with this exquisite pocket-sized Welcome to the Museum gift edition from the Curator’s Collection series. Inspired by the acclaimed Botanicum – a super-sized book of stunning botanical delights and the next best thing to stepping inside a real-life exhibition of plants – An A to Z of Plants has been created in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Packed with beautiful illustrations, this volume offers an alphabetical journey through the diverse and fascinating kingdom of flora with each entry revealing the hidden wonders of plants and flowers. From Aquilegia Canadensis and wild columbine to Zingiber officinale (ginger root) and Cucurbitaceae (autumn pumpkin), the book has been carefully curated with scientific insight and artistic elegance. The perfect gift for nature lovers, design enthusiasts and curious minds alike, An A to Z of Plants is a glorious celebration of the beauty and complexity of the botanical world in a format that is as handy as it is enlightening.
(Big Picture Press, hardback, £8.99)

Age 7 plus
Zombie Worms and Blue Dragons
Ben Garrod and Emily Higgs

GET up close to the strange and thrilling world of some of Earth’s most iconic – and often most bizarre – forms of life. Whether it’s a tasselled wobbegong, a type of carpet shark from Australasia, or an African gaboon viper, one of the most toxic creatures on the planet, this amazing, full-colour gift book celebrates 100 of the largest, smallest, oldest, newest, most venomous, fearsome, intelligent, and strangest forms of life on Earth. With evolutionary biology and science professor Ben Garrod as our guide, Zombie Worms and Blue Dragons delves deep into the wonders of the natural world to uncover some of the wildest facts. Packed with the extraordinarily detailed artwork of graphic designer, illustrator and palaeoartist Emily Higgs, the book explores incredible plants, animals and life forms which many people will never even have heard about. Which poisonous tree can kill you when it rains, how do some snakes shapeshift to fly through forest canopies and why do some parasite fungi turn their victims into real-life zombies? With fascinating, up-to-date facts revealing the secret lives of these species and genus, and every colourful page filled with dazzling animals, plants, fungi and a host of other life forms, this beautiful compendium is ideal for all nature fans.
(Zephyr, hardback, £16.99)

Age 7 plus
K-Pop Witch Academy: A Trainee’s Dream
Fiona Scoble, Seong-Jae Kong and Jenn Aguilera

A PERFECT performance will cast powerful magic… but one misstep could spell disaster! Welcome to the K-Pop Witch Academy: A Trainee’s Dream, first book of a high-octane new illustrated series that is perfectly in step with fun-loving K-Pop fans. Written by Fiona Scoble, with cultural advice from Korean teacher Seong-Jae Kong, the books are illustrated by Jenn Aguilera in the full-colour shojo manga style which originates from Japan and is characterised by a distinctive decorative, character-based and romantic art form. Are the K-Pop Witch Academy trainees up to the challenge? When eleven-year-olds Soo, Ivy, and Min are among the few students invited to join an elite K-pop academy on Ganghwado Island, they think they’re chasing stardom. What they don’t know is that this school doesn’t just make idols… it makes witches. At this secret academy, trainees learn how the perfect blend of vocals, dance, and rap can cast spells powerful enough to change the world. But magic demands harmony… and these three trainees couldn’t be more out of sync. Ivy is buzzing with main character energy, but her confidence as a performer could lead to magical chaos. Soo loves to sing, but can she overcome her shyness and find her voice as a star? Min is born to dance, but she’s so busy keeping the peace that she might never claim the spotlight. Every rehearsal is a musical and magical disaster, but if the girls can find their harmony, they could become a global sensation! Brought to life by over 50 pages of Aguilera’s bewitching illustrations, K-Pop Witch Academy is destined to be a must-read for all young fans of manga, magic and K-pop.
(Do Re Mi, paperback, £8.99)

Age 7 plus
The Dragon Mountain
Mathieu Pierloot, François Maumont and Charis Ainslie

FRIENDSHIP is the greatest magic! Join two little witches as they embark on an action-packed magical adventure in this spellbinding illustrated book from Belgian author Mathieu Pierloot and French illustrator François Maumont. Translated into English by Charis Ainslie and packed with Maumont’s glorious and characterful colour illustrations, this spellbinding book explores friendship and bravery against a backdrop of magic and adventure. When two little witches, Lilith and Medusa, are sent foraging for potion ingredients, they discover a boy called Julius and his pet duck Custard. But inside the boy’s bag is a stolen dragon egg, snatched from a group of hobgoblins! Lilith and Medusa know they need to return the egg to its mother before she destroys everything and everyone looking for it. Setting off on a treacherous journey through a magical forest, across an enchanted, fog-covered lake and on to a mysterious uncharted island, they will encounter goblins, a kidnap, evil creatures and an adorable baby dragon. This exciting adventure is guaranteed to captivate young readers as, surrounded by strange creatures, hidden dangers and strange magic, the witches and Julius discover that courage, kindness and friendship can be more powerful than any spell.
(Post Wave Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 7 plus
Tomorrow Bright Before Us: An Inspiring Quote for Every Day of the Year
Illustrated by Victoria Ball

‘What are days for? Days are where we live. They come, they wake us, Time and time over. They are to be happy in: Where can we live but days?’ 

THESE wise and wonderful words from English poet and novelist Philip Larkin are just some of many inspirational quotes packed into this dazzling gift book – lavishly illustrated by artist and surface designer Victoria Ball – which has been perfectly created for every day of the year. Readers of every age can discover brilliant words on every subject, from the beloved voices of inspirational writers, thinkers and scientists to leaders, artist and activists. Paired with Ball’s evocative illustrations full of warmth, joy and hope, Tomorrow Bright Before Us is an ideal gift for creative young minds… and a book to cherish and return to time and time again.
(Nosy Crow, hardback, £25)

Age 5 plus
The Polar Night Adventure
Cecilia Blomdahl and Suzie Mason

AT the top of the world, far, far to the north lies a frozen island called Svalbard… a place that sparkles with ice and where towering mountains fill the snowy landscape. Discover the magic of Svalbard in this heartwarming illustrated Arctic adventure from bestselling author Cecilia Blomdahl, a writer who moved to the island in 2015 and began sharing her daily life online. Often featuring her dog Grim, a Finnish Lapphund, her tales provide a positive and educational insight into living in an environment where polar bears rule the tundra and winter is spent in complete darkness. Will Grim find his way home? As the last glimmers of light fade from the snow-covered peaks and polar night arrives, Grim finds himself lost in the vast Arctic. On his unexpected journey, he encounters mischievous arctic foxes, reindeer huddled in the snow, and bright-white beluga whales rising from the fjord. But danger lingers too… is that a polar bear in the distance, or just its tracks? Beneath a sky filled with stars and shimmering northern lights, Grim finds the courage to keep moving forward. To make his way home – and back to Cecilia – he must face his fears and follow his heart through the darkness. A timeless tale of powerful nature, bravery, wonder, and resilience, brought to life by the atmospheric illustrations of Suzie Mason, The Polar Night Adventure has the makings of a contemporary classic!
(DK Children, hardback, £14.99)

Age 4 plus
The Green Child
Hollie Hughes and Britta Teckentrup

‘The green child yawns and stretches, and the forest wakens too, Green leaves begin to sprout and grow, and EVERYTHING feels new.’ 

MEET the Green Child, guardian of the seasons and protector of our planet, in a heartfelt and hopeful picture about how small changes can make a big difference to our planet from author Hollie Hughes and award-winning illustrator Britta Teckentrup. In the deepest, darkest forest where the trees are gnarled and wild, along a winding path we find the Green Child deep asleep. But as winter shifts into spring, the Green Child rouses from slumber and breathes new life into the world. Through ever-brightening days, she ushers in the changing seasons until summer finally arrives. But as the days grow hotter and longer, the forest begins to wither away. The Green Child realises she has a job to do… to send a message to all of mankind… but will anyone listen? Told in Teckentrup’s lyrical rhyme, this timeless modern classic celebrates the cycle of the seasons, sparking curiosity about the natural world in young readers and inspiring a new generation of environmental heroes. Perfect for young eco fans, The Green Child is a gentle reminder to respect nature and live in harmony with our planet.
(Post Wave Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 4 plus
The Star Tree
Luosha Liu

YOUNG readers will have stars in their eyes when they turn the pages of this enchanting picture book which has been specially created by self-taught children’s book illustrator and author Luosha Liu as a first young comic book. In the heart of the forest, Ellie cherishes the ancient tree. But one night, the tree explodes with starlight, showering the forest in a glittering avalanche! Faced with mountains of stars, Ellie and her animal friends must put their creativity to the test. Can they turn this starry chaos into a dazzling celebration? Beautiful, soft-toned artwork and the appealing comic-style format blend to perfection in this heartwarming tale of friendship, resourcefulness, and the magic that happens when a community shines together.
(Post Wave Children’s Books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 3 plus
Don’t Feed the Troll
Emily Gravett

REVEL in the colourful and enchanting delights of a spectacular new picture book from multi-award-winning Emily Gravett whose adorable stories are written and illustrated with artistic genius, true affection, and a freewheeling sense of fun which tumbles out of every page. Her latest inspired creation is Don’t Feed the Troll, a laugh-out-loud, rhyming fairy tale adventure full of her trademark wit, warmth and irreverent humour. Everybody in faraway fairy tale land is getting ready for a very special party. All except one tiny bridge troll who is making his own fun… by being extremely rude! With every insult he hurls and every ego he bruises, the tiny troll gets bigger and bigger. How will Cinderella, Goldilocks, the three little pigs and all the other fairy tale friends defeat this pesky troll? Might being kind instead of rude be the trick that shrinks him back to a more manageable size? Look out for the witch and her cauldron full of apples, the wolf threatening to blow the little pigs’ homes and lots of other fun details as this celebration of kindness finally puts the troll back in his (small!) space. With its sparkly gold foil jacket and happy ending, this is the perfect gift book for bedtime reading.
(Two Hoots, hardback, £14.99)

Age 2 plus
Vampires and Other Creatures of the Night 
Celeste Cortright and Giulia Orecchia

CAN you guess the fantastical creature of the night? See who’s hiding as you turn the pages of this spectacular book and meet everything from vampires to skeletons as you learn about the mythical creatures that creep through the night. This ingenious, interactive board book features mystical riddles about each creature and as readers guess and turn the page, tiered layers cleverly slide to reveal answers! 

Written in rhyming verse by Celeste Cortright and illustrated by Giulia Orecchia, Vampires and Other Creatures of the Night is part of Barefoot Books’ super-inventive Slide-and-See Fantastical Creatures series. It boasts an interactive format which keeps kids engaged while learning and includes fact-packed endnotes about each of the creatures featured in the book. Also in the series is Unicorns and Other Creatures of the Earth which features fantastical, mythical creatures that walk the Earth, including unicorns, leprechauns, wizards, yetis and gnomes. Magical, hands-on journeys into the realms of fantasy!
(Barefoot Books, board books, £14.99 each)

The Wine-Dark Sea

Victoria Hislop

CIVIL wars are notoriously brutal and the internal conflict that bubbled over in Greece after the Second World War ripped apart families and brought misery and devastation on a massive scale.

The Nazi occupation of the country had left dangerous divisions between the Greek people and with the blame game burgeoning, and accusations of collaboration running rife, the right-wing, Western-backed Hellenic Army and the communist-led Democratic Army were soon embarking on a bitter war of recriminations.

The result was a terrifying and chaotic civil war mercilessly unleashed on Greek families… and now this little-known chapter of history is explored in The Wine-Dark Sea, a heart-wrenching tale of resilience, courage and maternal love from bestselling author Victoria Hislop (pictured below), whose love affair with Greece began decades ago and who has used the country’s history as the inspiration for her raft of enthralling novels. During the three years of the ferocious civil war, thousands of children were caught up in the fighting and Hislop’s story unfolds through the lens of a mother who is forcibly separated from her young daughter. And so begins her desperate search for both her own her child, who has been kidnapped and taken behind the Iron Curtain, and the son of a woman she befriended who, unknown to them, has been sold into adoption.

The story opens in the village of Kalopetra high in the mountains of northern Greece, a place which has not changed for decades. Even though the climate is harsh, the people are content because there is a constant supply of mountain water which keeps humans, animals and crops alive.

Even during the privations of the Second World War, Kalopetra has been saved from the worst excesses of the Nazis’ occupation of Greece by its lofty location… but by 1946, with the Germans vanquished, the village is undergoing a sinister change as bitterness and accusations creep into every corner of the villagers’ lives. The power vacuum has proved to be the spark for nationwide discord and a brutal civil war erupts between rival left and right-wing factions. The conflict spirals while the country pays a bitter price with fighting erupting, even in the mountain areas, turning villages into battlefields and pulling ordinary women and children into the fray.

When the government soldiers eventually come to Kalopetra, mother and housewife Fotini – whose husband Stavros has been recruited into the government’s Hellenic Army – is nursing her newborn son. Fotini immediately urges her precious nine-year-old daughter, Iliana, to hide with the older children as she, her baby and the other women are herded into trucks. Among the last sounds Fotini hears are Iliana’s screams of pain as she tries to climb on to a truck but falls off.

Fotini is transported to a prison on the island of Chios where she befriends Markella, whose little son, Nikos, is clever and wise beyond his years. After months of imprisonment, when Fotini and Markella find themselves separated from one another – and from Nikos – Fotini vows to hunt not only for her own child but for Markella’s too. What she doesn’t yet know is that a few weeks after she was taken from Kalopetra, left-wing soldiers turned up for the children and dispatched them to countries in Eastern Europe where a wholly different fate awaits them…

Huge numbers of youngsters were orphaned during the Greek Civil War… many found themselves imprisoned alongside their mothers and others were left to fend for themselves. And even when the war ended, tens of thousands of children remained cut off from their roots, with many now living in other countries. And it is this cruel rupturing of once-settled families that lies at the heart of Hislop’s hard-hitting story which blends authentic history with some unforgettably powerful emotions.

Through the eyes of Fotini – forever haunted by her child’s last despairing cry – we follow the heartache and hardships of her life in the camp, and then her relentless and determined quest to track down the two missing children after the war ends and she is finally released. It’s a journey in which we witness Fotini once again finding much-needed kindness and generosity amongst her own Greek people and slowly discovering that the quiet rural life in a mountain village that she had once longed to return to is now a lost world for her.

The human cost of war – and especially civil war – is writ large across this beautiful, gritty and thought-provoking novel as from the chaos and carnage springs hope, strength, the breathtaking capacity of a mother’s love, and the ability of a nation to heal and become whole again after such terrible self-inflicted wounds.
(Headline Review, hardback £22)

Poetry Poison: Revenge

Deborah Alma

REVENGE, they say, is a dish best served cold… so if you need an outlet to satisfy a deep hurt, to act as a cradle for your grievance, to fuel a fantasy of righting a wrong, or just some clever, perfectly pitched words to stoke the fires of your righteous fury, you might find exactly what you need in this brilliant collection of Poetry Poison.

Revenge is just one of a beautifully created collection of pocket-sized hardback gift books containing carefully curated poetic poisons compiled by Deborah Alma (pictured below), a poet and editor who, with her partner, the poet James Sheard, co-founded the world’s first walk-in Poetry Pharmacy in Shropshire in 2019. Offering poetry on prescription proved to be a big success, and the two poets have since expanded their ‘pharmacy’ to branches in London’s Oxford Street and York.

And these gloriously dark, wry and stylish new poetry books – which comprise the topics Revenge, Vices, Darkness and Humbug – come full of both classic and new poems and are ‘prescribed’ for when sweetness fails, ‘offering a controlled dose of the less virtuous emotions, to be taken slowly and without apology.’

In Poetry Poison: Revenge, readers can imbibe a potent and unapologetic dose of literary vengeance, featuring powerful verses of curses, ill-will, and retribution straight from the meditative minds of literary greats like Shakespeare, John Donne and Christina Rossetti.

Poetry Poison: Vices, meanwhile, delivers a distillation of the finest sins and vices for the indulgence of appetites, moments of temptation and relish, the celebration of excess, to encourage delight in the forbidden, and for the cultivation of delicious bad habits. 

With poems from names such as William Blake and Henry David Thoreau to enjoy, Vices is an intoxicating selection, exploring human flaws, lust, desire, gluttony, sloth and more.

And in Poetry Poison: Darkness, readers are prescribed extract of night, perfect for howling to the moon, the contemplation of shadows and love of the unlit, and lifting the veil between the real and the imagined.

Feel free to take a profound journey into the deep night where you will discover evocative verses of shadow, solitude, and the unknown from Emily Dickinson, John Keats, Thomas Hardy and many other poets.

And on October 15, Poetry Poison: Humbug, the perfect Christmas gift poetry collection, will hit the shelves. Prescribed as ideal for the detection of nonsense, for a healthy disregard of fashionable thinking, for the pricking of pomposity, to counteract sentimentality and for the exercise of wit and scepticism, there could be no better antidote to an excess of the festive spirit!
(Macmillan, hardback, £10 each)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Neverland thrills, bewitching fun and a baking detective

Return to the wonderful world of Neverland with a dazzling, fairy-dusted Peter Pan spin-off adventure, join a witch plucked out of Salem and plopped into a modern-day high school, discover some of nature’s most amazing female creatures, and enjoy a delicious new detective series brimming with baking mysteries in a super selection of autumn books

Age 8 plus
The Neverland Thieves
Katie and Kevin Tsang

TAKE the second star to the right and carry straight on to Neverland for a daring, dazzling and delightful Peter Pan spin-off adventure from award-winning husband and wife authors Katie and Kevin Tsang. Published in support of Great Ormond Street Hospital charity – to whom JM Barrie gifted the rights to Peter Pan in 1929 – this thrilling tale of friendship, belief and magic brings an extra sprinkling of fairy dust to the wonderful world of Neverland. Tom Skywood has been a patient at Great Ormond Street Hospital for nearly three months and he still doesn’t know how long his treatment will last. He finds it difficult to take an interest in anything but when his best friend, Felix, comes to visit, exciting and mysterious things start to happen. Gold dust suddenly appears, music plays and the stone creatures in the chapel magically come to life. Soon Tom, Felix and their new friend Daisy, the doctor’s daughter, are flown to the magical world of Neverland. Adventures lie ahead with mermaids, pirates and the Lost Boys and Lost Girls. But trouble is afoot in this magical place and soon the three friends find themselves blamed for a series of thefts. To clear their names, they are going to have to take on the villainous Beekeeper or be branded as the Neverland Thieves forever… it’s time to take back the magic!

Tingling with magic and wonder, The Neverland Thieves features familiar favourites from Barrie’s original Peter Pan story as well as a new cast of Lost Boys and Lost Girls, new mermaids, new fairies, Captain Hook’s granddaughter... and some dragons, of course! With hope and heart threaded through every page of this glorious adventure, it’s good to know that the book’s royalties will help the hospital charity fund groundbreaking research, medical equipment, child-centred medical facilities, and support services for seriously ill children and their families. Publishers Simon & Schuster are also making a donation to the charity for every print copy of the book sold in the UK.
(Simon & Schuster Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 12 plus
Agatha Harkness: Fall of the Coven
Sara Shepard

WHEN Agatha Harkness finds herself yanked out of her mysterious past and plopped in a modern-day high school, the race is on to find the key to saving her coven… all while discovering first love and battling an ancient foe! Sara Shepard, bestselling author of Pretty Little Liars, returns with a new story featuring the Marvel witch Agatha Harkness as seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe TV show Agatha All Along. Agatha is a powerful witch stuck living amongst an untalented group of witches in 1690s Salem, Massachusetts. But that’s OK because the dreary coven meetings and fake herbal potions will all be worth it once she finally gets her hands on one of the most magical artefacts in existence… the Darkhold, a book of extraordinary power. But just as it’s within her grasp, disaster strikes the coven! Agatha is about to reluctantly save the day when she is rebuffed by the nosy, stuck-up Martha. Now, thanks to the interference, Martha, Agatha and the Darkhold have been unceremoniously dropped in one of the most terrifying locations a witch has ever encountered… a modern-day high school. Armed with just her smarts and her spells, Agatha embarks on a quest to recover the Darkhold and an incognito Martha. Along the way, she encounters a meddlesome crow, a potential first crush, and a new coven. She almost starts to feel like she has found her home… until Martha returns from the shadows and this time with dire consequences. Packed with powerful witchcraft, deadly rivalries and young love, this is the perfect read for fans of dark tales with an irresistible romantic twist.
(Studio Press, paperback, £8.99)

Age 9 plus
The Trouble with Magic
Amy Wilson and Eric Deschamps

‘Magic is the tiny seed deep inside everyone… but it
doesn’t always grow into something good.’ 

PREPARE to be spellbound by the first book of a rich and evocative magical fantasy series from Carnegie-nominated author Amy Wilson. Brought to rich and vibrant life by Eric Deschamps' black and white illustrations, this is a dazzling evocation of an enthralling other-world, full of storytelling perfection in all its rich and atmospheric drama. When Fray’s hidden magic is revealed, he is forced back to Hexton… the magical town from which his family were banished because his parents committed an unspeakable betrayal. With no one to trust and nowhere to turn, Fray must face people who see his very name as a curse, others who believe he might be the solution they’ve been searching for, and those desperate to get their hands on his mysterious Croxometer – one of the most powerful magical objects to ever exist which was left by his grumpy grandfather Old Skeg. And with the very essence of Hexton in danger, can Fray – who has a whole load of magic in his veins – live up to his legacy while also finding the place where he belongs? Wilson’s imagination moves into overdrive, sweeping us away to a world of spine-tingling magic, menace and self-discovery as Fray battles to uncover past secrets and step out of the shadows and into the light. A magical adventure with the power to thrill!
(Nosy Crow, paperback, £7.99)

Age 9 plus
The Animal Queendom:
A Celebration of Nature's Fearless Females
Catherine Blackledge
and Kasia Bogdańska

WELCOME to the animal queendom, home to the world’s most amazing wildlife! Fact-checked and written by non-fiction author and former science journalist Catherine Blackledge, with advice from the University of Cambridge, this magnificent book celebrates the incredible members of the queendom – female animals that deserve their turn in the scientific spotlight after being overlooked or underestimated. From murderous mammals and record-breaking birds to spectacular snakes and self-cloning insects, readers can enjoy unearthing something new about a familiar species or be totally surprised by an animal they have never heard of! Explore thirty-seven spreads that break through stereotypes, spotlight biodiversity and encourage children to see the wonder of all kinds of female creatures. With Blackledge’s fascinating, accessible text, Polish illustrator Kasia Bogdańska’s amazingly detailed full-colour artwork on every page, a glossary and index to help animal enthusiasts navigate the book and expand their vocabulary, and a stunning tactile cover, this impressive and inspiring gift book allows youngsters to discover for themselves the incredible female wildlife that helps shape our planet.  
(Nosy Crow, hardback, £16.99)

Age 8 plus
Cinnamon Crumb, Baking Detective: The Great Cake Caper
Harry Woodgate

AWARD-WINNING author and illustrator Harry Woodgate whips up a storm of secrets and sabotage in the first ‘course’ of a simply delicious new detective series which puts baking mysteries at the heart of the reading menu. With a list of ingredients that includes three charismatic friends, large helpings of magic, a liberal sprinkling of fun, and Woodgate’s brilliantly detailed black and white illustrations on almost every page, this is the tastiest crime romp you will find this autumn. Meet Cinnamon Crumb. In the town of Marzipan, home to bakers of near-magical talent, Cinnamon burns toast. Yes, she’s definitely not a baker… but she IS about to become a baking detective because all is not sweet between Marzipan’s two rival superstar bakers, Victoria Sponge and Madeleine Macaron. They will stop at nothing to win the coveted Twelve Tier Crown at the Great Cake Carnival… even sabotage is not off the menu. So when Victoria sets Cinnamon a mission to spy on Maddie, Cinnamon reluctantly agrees. But when Maddie asks Cinnamon to spy on Victoria too... well, Cinnamon is in a situation stickier than sticky toffee pudding. Youngsters will love getting their teeth into this irresistibly entertaining mystery which dishes up fast-paced adventures and a truly delicious cast of vibrant characters, proving that double agents and lashings of double cream really do make for a perfectly baked new series!
(Usborne Publishing, paperback, £8.99)

Age 7 plus
Secrets of the Museum: Solar System
Joalda Morancy and Kelsey Oseid

HELLO, all young explorers, look up at the night sky and find the amazing planets just waiting to be explored… and prepare to be surprised! Secrets of the Museum: Solar System is part of a collectable non-fiction series for younger readers from the team behind the lavishly illustrated and fact-packed Welcome to the Museum books which enable children to enjoy the experience of a museum from the comfort of home. In this epic adventure, written by Joalda Morancy and illustrated by Kelsey Oseid, we blast off through the solar system and meet up with fiery planets and icy moons, and uncover jaw-dropping facts and dazzling secrets about space. With a curious curator as guide, readers explore a one-of-a-kind exhibition, discovering all eight planets and learning how they are formed, visiting tiny but mighty moons, zooming past sparkling comets and peeking into the mysterious asteroid belt. And what an unforgettable journey it is, brimming with real scientific insights from an aerospace engineer, amazing discoveries and some fun surprises. And along the way, keep your eyes peeled for clues and questions hidden throughout the pages… solve them all to reveal a mystery message at the end! With Oseid’s out-of-this-world illustrations, mind-blowing facts and interactive challenges, Secrets of the Museum: The Solar System turns learning into an exciting space mission. So if you’re brave enough to unlock the secrets of our universe, climb aboard and let’s go!

Also in this exciting and informative series is Secrets of the Museum: Predators, which sees young readers trekking through the rainforest, braving the desert heat and swimming to the depths of the ocean to discover the world’s most captivating predators! From the cryptic turtle that vacuums up its prey to the cutest (and deadliest) species of wild cat that catches its victims in mid-air, the predators that inhabit our world spring some unexpected surprises. Discover the predators that stalk, swim and swoop across different habitats on Earth. With real scientific insights from wildlife ecologist Tyus D.Williams and Hannah Bailey’s rich and colourful illustrations, this is wildlife in all its glories. And don’t forget to spot the clues and questions hidden throughout the pages so that you can reveal a mystery message at the end!
(Big Picture Press, hardback, £14.99 each)

Age 6 plus
Star Kitties: Forest Kitty and the Monster Surprise!
Laura Ellen Anderson

RETURN to the magical world where stars are grown and forever friends are made in the second book of a cute and cuddly two-colour, highly-illustrated young fiction series from best-selling author and illustrator Laura Ellen Anderson. Stars of the show are the lovable, magical Star Kitties, the cutest cats ever, and they get up to all sorts of fun adventures and mischief in Whiskery Paw with their best human friend Tabitha Flair. Tabitha just loves exploring the magical Mew Forest with Flora the Forest Kitty. But today strange things are happening in the woods… the starflowers are being squashed, something has been pouncing on passers-by, and precious plants are being plundered! Is a creepy creature lurking in Whiskery Paw? It’s up to Tabitha and Flora to set a trap to catch the mystery monster… but they are in for a very cute surprise! With each book strikingly illustrated, the Star Kitties series is just purrfect for cat lovers and readers looking for a first chapter book filled with adventure, friendship and feline antics. Get ready to join in the furry fun!
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)

Age 5 plus
Little Minotaur
Gaia Alessi

IMAGINE if we knew the infamous Minotaur from Greek mythology as a boy instead of a monster? Welcome to Little Minotaur, a stunning picture book retelling of the half-man, half-beast Minotaur legend by Gaia Alessi, an author and illustrator whose artwork aims to offer an unexpected outlook on the world. And this dazzling tale about finding your voice, belonging, bravery and family is certain to catch the imagination of any child who has ever felt they are ‘different.’ The popular Greek myth is the brutal tale of a half-man, half-beast trapped in a maze underneath the palace on the island of Crete in ancient Greece. But this story is not about a monster. Instead, it focuses on the Minotaur as a boy… a little minotaur named Asterion. 

This minotaur is a gentle child who is happy amongst the birds and out in nature. With his bull head, he struggles to speak but is supported always by the love of his sister, Ariadne, and his mother, Queen Pasiphaë. He can communicate in his own particular way and find the right word when he needs to. But as Asterion grows bigger and taller, and rumours on Crete begin to swirl around him about what he is and what he can do, he must fight against prejudice and shame to find his place in the world. And he will learn that he is not a terrifying beast at all but a misunderstood boy called Asterion, deserving of love. And maybe he can rewrite his own ending… Alessi’s vivid and colourful illustrations put light and life into the minotaur’s tumultuous journey to find a place he can truly call home and kin he can call his own. A beautiful retelling full of heart and compassion.
(Walker Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 4 plus
The Search for Our Cosmic Neighbours
Chloe Savage

JOURNEY into deep space and discover a new alien race in this exciting picture book story from Chloe Savage, winner of the 2024 Waterstones Children's Book Prize for Best Illustrated Book. Perfectly created for aspiring astronauts and those who dare to explore the far reaches of the solar system, this space odyssey offers science with a magical twist. So strap yourself in and race across the cosmos with Commander Julia, her team of astro-scientists and her trusty dog, Khan, as they search for life in the stars. Travelling for ten years in their packed spaceship, they visit countless moons and planets of every size and colour, searching for the answer to the greatest question of all… are we alone? Just as they’re about to give up, Khan leads them to an incredible discovery… the existence of a (friendly!) alien race. Getting to know this welcoming species calls into question everything these space explorers have ever known about what to do next, who they are, and what it means to have a home. The Search for Our Cosmic Neighbours is part of the excellent Hidden Wonders series for children featuring award-winning picture book adventures where science meets myth and magic, making STEM topics accessible to all children.
(Walker Books, paperback, £8.99)

Age 3 plus
Grizzly
Hervé Le Goff

IS swimming too wet, a nap too boring, and are blackberries too prickly? Find out as we follow Grizzly the bear who doesn’t feel like doing anything in a humorous and heartwarming picture book from French author and illustrator Hervé Le Goff. It's the perfect day for a stroll, thinks Raccoon, but this morning, his best friend Grizzly who is finding everything too much… well, grrr, except for grumbling! Youngsters will love joining in the fun as the exuberant racoon and his grumbly best friend spend a day in nature, going swimming, eating berries, napping in the shade and, best of all, complaining! Grizzly might growl and grumble at everything Racoon suggests but, in the end, there’s nothing he loves more than spending time with his best friend. Packed with comedy and Le Goff’s adorably bold and endearing illustrations, this relatable tale of grumpiness is sure to put a smile on even the grouchiest of little ones!
(Post Wave Children’s books, hardback, £12.99)

Age 2 plus
BANG!
Sam Usher

‘When I woke up this morning, I was excited… it was
egg, chips and peas for lunch.’ 

JOIN a little boy and his Grandad on a thrilling expedition to return a dragon egg to its nest in BANG! the final book of author and illustrator Sam Usher’s Adventures with Grandad Transport Quartet, starring his much-loved Boy and Grandad double act. In their new wild and wonderful adventure, Boy and Grandad are busy in the garden collecting the eggs, picking the peas and digging up potatoes for their special lunch when they accidentally dig up a dragon’s egg. It’s going to be a dangerous mission… can they brave a bubbling pool of lava, spiky stalagmites and deep, dark caves to return it to its nest in one piece? Fortunately, Boy has just the plan to get it there… Once again, Boy and Grandad’s skills are put to the test as the pair recycle and reuse everyday items to create incredible inventions and ingenious new forms of transport. Usher’s warm-hearted, original and inspirational stories celebrate the special bond between children and their grandparents, and the power of imagination and invention. With themes of creativity, resourcefulness and shared adventures, and some subtle science facts, Usher’s quirky and charming story is complemented by a palette of gloriously funny watercolour illustrations which add extra character and texture to the enchanting and life-affirming adventure.
(Templar Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
Robber Rabbit
Lucy Rowland and
Alessandro Montagnana

MEET a rabbit who simply WON’T share! Learning to share is one of life’s earliest social lessons so introduce your tiny tots to this cute and cautionary tale from award-winning author Lucy Rowland and illustrator Alessandro Montagnana about a Rabbit who turns robber and discovers that being kind and considerate is much more fun. When all the forest food gets blown next to Rabbit’s tree, he takes it all for himself and protects it at all costs… after all, it fell by his tree! And he even builds a tall wall to protect it. But then the other animals start to go hungry, and Rabbit begins to wonder if he did the right thing. After all, if you’re able... you don’t build tall walls, but a much longer table. Rowland’s delightfully funny and heartwarming rhyming picture book story is perfect to read aloud with little ones while Montagnana’s stunning illustrations bring Rabbit and the woodland creatures to life in a glorious autumnal palette of colours. With important messages about the rewards of sharing and a fabulous fold-out finale to enjoy, this is the ideal book for home, nursery and school.
(Scholastic, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
No Way! I'll Stay!
Donna David and Dao Linh

SEASONS come and go… and sometimes it’s hard to accept that change is inevitable. Little ones will love laughing along with a stubborn little bird who refuses to migrate in an adorably imagined picture book from ‘seasoned’ author Donna David and debut-picture book illustrator Dao Linh. When the trees of Farley Forest turn red and golden, the animals know that it’s time to prepare for the colder months. Bear eat lots of food to be ready for the big, winter sleep, Fox grows a longer, thicker coat, and Bird gets ready to leave. But what’s this? ‘No way!’ says Bird. ‘I will do no such thing. I'll stay right here!’ Bird is quite stuck in his ways and so might need a bit of convincing to leave his home. Can Bear show Bird that he should embrace the change that the new season brings? David’s story is packed full of cheeky fun, important messages about being brave and embracing change, and fascinating facts about migration, all brought to life by Linh’s bold and colourful illustrations. The perfect pre-school package for talking about change…
(Scholastic, paperback, £7.99)

Age 2 plus
The Home That Beaver Built
Christine Pym

SHARING isn’t always easy for a little beaver who wants a home ALL to herself! Youngsters will adore author and illustrator Christine Pym’s gorgeously illustrated picture book starring a reluctant beaver learning to share. When Beaver builds a new home, it’s perfect. It’s calm, quiet, and best of all… it’s just for her. She doesn’t have to share a thing! But soon a chatty Frog decides Beaver’s dam is the perfect home for HIM too… and then an otter, and some geese. As more and more animals join the dam, can Beaver find a way to welcome them, or will she and the dam finally… BURST? With themes of learning to accept others, this is the perfect story for little ones who are struggling to share, and learn that beavers’ dams create vital habitats for many animals. Once built, other animals move into the dam, just like the story! With adorable illustrations and awash in vital life lessons, this an ideal picture book for home, nursery and school.
(Scholastic, paperback, £7.99)