The Treasure House

Amy Matthews

SINGLE mum Zoe Copeland wants a fresh start and somewhere to call home far away from her ‘monochrome’ existence in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania… what she didn’t expect was to fall in love with a ramshackle ‘treasure house’ in a rundown town on America's Maine coast.

Lured by its position on the edge of a cliff, this dilapidated wood-shingled cottage comes with ‘a glimpse of the ocean’ and the many remnants of the previous owner’s life… a life that may well be the key to Zoe’s heartfelt desire to come to terms with her past.

Inspired by the viral ‘treasure’ houses on TikTik – hoarder homes that are sold full of unclaimed junk and unwanted belongings – Amy Matthews (pictured below), award-winning American author of Someone Else's Bucket List, brings readers a deeply emotional and beautifully romantic tale of broken lives, new beginnings and the search for love, happiness and a sense of permanence. After years in foster care, moving from place to place, and coping with the mood swings and frequent jail terms of her drug addict mother, Zoe and her eleven-year-old daughter Florence face eviction from their cramped, one-bedroom, and increasingly expensive, apartment in Pittsburgh.

Zoe is determined not to let Florence grow up in the same deprived and chaotic way as herself so when she stumbles across a listing for what appears to be a charming cottage, in their price range, in the seaside town of Oxeye in Maine, she seizes the opportunity. 

The catch is that it’s a treasure house, filled to the brim with junk and being sold just as it is.

On arrival, Florence, who has always longed for a room of her own, loves the old house full of cat figurines and other people’s memories, but Zoe is daunted by the mess and the cost of repairs and her grumpy new neighbour, Jake Abernethy, thinks she’s crazy for taking it on. But that doesn’t stop him from lending a hand, and it’s not long before Zoe starts daydreaming about the handsome owner of the hardware store.

By the time autumn sets in, Zoe is becoming increasingly intrigued by the woman who lived there before them. Who was Marly and how did her beloved home end up in such disrepair? As she digs for more information, Zoe can’t help but draw parallels between herself and Marly. As Zoe uncovers Marly’s secrets, and her own past comes crashing into the present, her life quickly becomes even messier than the coastal house she’s renovating. With her heart, and now her home, on the line, can Zoe put all of the broken pieces of her life back together and finally find the love that she longs for?

Smiles and tears won’t be far away as Matthews tugs at our heartstrings with a tender, engaging and often hard-hitting story that moves between the 1950s and 1960s and the present day, and puts family, and all its many trials, tests and tribulations, at centre stage.

Each character comes perfectly fleshed out… a disparate group of interwoven players from two timelines, caught up in the storm of life’s fortunes and misfortunes, whether that’s the cruel hardships and uncertainties of child neglect, poverty, addiction and debilitating illness, or the joys and comforts to be found in kindness, genuine caring, and the security of family love.

For Zoe, her journey’s end is discovering that the new beginnings and the happiness she so needed are not to be found in material goods and ownership, but in finally opening up herself to love and accepting that the power of warm relationships, community and belonging are what home really means. The perfect ‘book hug’ for world-weary readers!
(Simon & Schuster, paperback, £9.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Life skills, forest wonders and a school for misfits

Feed your children’s insatiable curiosity with a coruscating cornucopia of life skills, tag along with five misfits at a school where games lessons are deadly, enjoy watching the forest and its wonders come alive every day of the year, and discover some of Earth’s miniscule miracles in a collection of super books to kick off September

Age 8 plus
How to Do (Almost) Everything
Becky Baines and Laurie Avon

LIFE in the real world involves hundreds of disparate skills, some of them obvious and some of them more obscure. But each one adds to the richness of just being human so feed your children’s curiosity with this magnificent encyclopedia of expertise, a coruscating cornucopia of 100 skills, ranging from making slime and escaping a maze to writing a secret message on a piece of toast and baking a cake. Jammed full of the skills every child needs to make the most out of every day, How to Do (Almost) Everything is written by self-confessed ‘fact fanatic’ Becky Baines, lavishly illustrated by Laurie Avon and is published by the ever-inventive children’s publisher, What on Earth.

Learn how to do (almost!) everything, whether that’s making paper aeroplanes or solving a Rubik’s cube. With this book by their side, children will gain a dazzling range of skills for real-life adventures, including practical skills like reading a map and tying knots, craft activities such as making paper airplanes and papier-maché, skills for outdoors including star spotting without a telescope and building a den, brainy skills like writing an algorithm and calculating Pi, and not forgetting life skills such as paying a compliment, writing a thankyou letter and packing a suitcase. Every skill comes with the seal of approval from top experts, and their stellar tips (including an eight times world memory champion revealing how to remember (almost) anything!) are threaded throughout the book, too. With step-by-step diagrams, Avon’s exuberant illustrations, and stunning photography, this brilliantly entertaining and imaginatively produced book, with its eye-catching gold foil cover, is the perfect gift for the whole family to enjoy together as they learn (and re-learn!) some useful and life-enhancing skills!
(What on Earth Books, hardback, £25)

Age 12 plus
The Lost Name Society
S.R. Krish

WHAT'S in a name? Winning is everything and losing is eternal in this white-knuckle dystopian teen adventure set in a brilliantly rendered Dark Academia where the supernatural meets the sadistic. The Lost Name Society comes from S.R. Krish, pen name for Savita Kalhan, a London-based, Carnegie-nominated author whose YA thrillers have earned her a reputation for gripping, impulsive storytelling. And stories don’t come any creepier than this tale of five misfits thrust into a cut-throat landscape where they must compete in deadly games, knowing the price of losing is being erased from existence. Welcome to Merrybourne School… and try not to die! In the heart of the Cotswolds, your name isn’t just an identity, it’s a target. Five strangers arrive at boarding school expecting the usual academic grind. Instead, they find a headmistress who is anything but human and a curriculum designed for survival. The rules are simple… compete in a series of twisted games, or be erased. With nothing in common but their unusual names, this misfit group must navigate a perilous landscape. As the body count rises, they realise the only way to survive is to stop playing by the demon’s rules. In a world where fitting in means losing yourself, they must reclaim the power of their names – the ones they were born with and the ones they have chosen – to tear down the school. A sprinkling of folk horror and the supernatural meets a lethal survival competition in this high-stakes thriller as Krish works her own special brand of dark magic on a tale of malevolence, mayhem and misfits… best read in daylight hours!
(Fox and Ink Books, paperback, £8.99)

Age 8 plus
A Year in the Forest
Christine Modafferi and Magdalena Konecná

DISCOVER the magic of the forest every day of the year! Readers, young and old, will enjoy watching the forest and all its wonders come alive on the page with this beautifully crafted year-round treasury which features 365 fascinating nature facts, captivating stories and some accessible, hands-on activities. Written by Christine Modafferi, an Italian-American who now lives and works in London, and stunningly illustrated by Magdalena Konecná, who lives in Prague, A Year in the Forest includes a poem for every month, along with inspiring prompts for drawing and journaling, designed to spark creativity while fostering a deeper connection to nature. Every page uncovers something new… whether it’s learning about woodland creatures, exploring the wonders of birdlife or discovering practical tips for sustainability and conservation. The book also highlights key environmental dates throughout the year, such as Earth Day and World Wildlife Day, making it the perfect guide to celebrate nature’s milestones.  Created for all age groups, this beautiful gift book offers something special to explore every day, providing a meaningful and enriching way to connect with the natural world and to provide all-year-round inspiration. Add on Konecná’s exquisite artwork and ribbon marker, and you have the perfect way to celebrate the magic and beauty of our natural world.
(Big Picture Press, hardback, £20)

Age 8 plus
Glam & Beardy: Volume 2
Ruby Clyde and Rachel WD,
and Vincent Batignole

IF your reluctant readers need some hilarious laughing matter to draw them into an adventure full of fun and comic chaos, then whisk them into the world of Glam & Beardy for a comedy double act invented by none other than a comedy double act! Rachel WD and Ruby Clyde, also known as Shelf, write and perform for adults and children, and now they have turned their talents to this high-octane series written in anarchic diary form and gloriously illustrated by French artist Vincent Batignole. In an adventure, written for us by Beardy, we discover that the five Kindoms of Kin Isle have stood since the dawn of time and each holds its own unique power. As we turn ten, explains Beardy, we meet our Familiar, and our Familiar bears a mark that reveals which Kindom we belong to. And we fit into our Kindom perfectly… or do we?! After my best friend Glam and I were nearly blasted by someone from the (supposedly) destroyed Fire Kindom, we have questions. Is Fire Kindom really still out there? What are they planning? Is it nice? If I have Ice power, are we from the extinct and also evil Ice Kindom? If we are from Ice Kindom, why don’t I have an Ice Mark? And why haven’t I been able to use my power again despite trying really, really hard? Is there something wrong with me? This is the diary (or ‘historical record’) of how Glam and I went on an adventure to the secret and deadly Fire Kindom to stop their evils plans. (And to learn more about an ancient and intriguing civilisation and the true history of our world… Glam’s words, not mine!) Written as a shared diary (or historical record, depends who you ask!), Glam and Beardy is fun with a capital F, and the perfect bait for readers who like their adventures to come with lashings of laughs and a proliferation of pictures!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
An Anthology of Micro Life
Jess French, Angela Rizza and Daniel Long

JOURNEY into the micro life of Earth and discover the minuscule miracles that live all around us… whether they are unseen, unheard or unexplored! This beautifully created and presented Anthology of Micro Life – written by conservationist, TV presenter, author and vet Dr Jess French – is the tenth book of global publisher DK’s Children’s Anthologies series. Packed with the stunningly detailed illustrations of Angela Rizza and Daniel Long, this extraordinary gold-foiled gift book unlocks the secrets of more than 90 microscopic life forms. Meet the tiny sea squirt that builds its house with snot, the weird and wonderful tardigrade, the hardy little creatures which can convert themselves into dried-out little balls when conditions are tricky, or discover the tiny snail that lives in a house of glass, and dust mites who think there’s nothing tastier than dead human skin cells. From tiny, delicate seeds and pollen to stealthy viruses and bacteria that live around, on and inside us, youngsters will love learning how small really IS beautiful in nature. An Anthology of Micro Life is a truly breathtaking and impressive collection of tiny miracles, showcasing a wide selection of micro life forms by pairing photography and colourful illustrations with storybook descriptions that will captivate young readers and introduce them to a whole new world of surprises.
(DK Children, hardback, £20)

Age 7 plus
Grebs & Co: The Secret Lives of Gremlins
D.T. Moorhouse and Ewa Benika-Haremska

STEP into the magical village of Little Wobbleton! It’s a curious place with a slightly wobbly sense of direction and more than a deep fondness for the peculiar. Roads are curved and slanted where they don’t need to be, some streets seem to lead nowhere while others lead on to themselves… and it’s now home to a girl called Alice. Grebs & Co: The Secret Lives of Gremlins is the delightfully quirky and adorably warm-hearted debut novel from D.T. Moorhouse, a secondary school teacher from Ireland. The star of the story is Alice Fairchild who has just arrived in Little Wobbleton and is fast discovering that the village is full of magic. And no one knows more about magic than Grebson the Gremlin in charge of the postbox on Muddleworth Lane. The world of Gremlins is complicated… like humans, they are proud and get their feelings hurt. Some are shy, some are clever, some are grumpy, some are terribly clumsy but all are loyal to their special world of magic, contained within a postbox, small on the outside, humongous on the inside. And when she is invited inside, Alice discovers a furious world of magic controlled by Grebson… but it’s a world that is also in danger. Can she save it? Ewa Benika-Haremska provides the rich and beautifully detailed illustrations for Moorhouse’s gloriously offbeat story which sees the courageous and creative Alice launching a campaign to save the gremlins’ way of life and discovering the power of community, memory and the written word along the way. Storytelling at its marvellously magical best!
(Everything with Words, paperback, £8.99)

Age 5 plus
Isadora Moon & Friends Story Collection
Harriet Muncaster

CELEBRATE ten years of the unforgettable Isadora Moon with three brand-new magical adventures featuring Isadora, Mirabelle, and Emerald! This special gift edition, with a shiny silver foil cover and star-sprayed edges, stars everyone's favourite half-fairy, half-vampire, Isadora Moon, but also brings together new stories from her half-witch, half-fairy cousin Mirabelle, and Emerald, Isadora’s mermaid friend. Each of the cute stories is illustrated in Muncaster’s iconic two-colour style. Join Isadora in Isadora Moon and the Vampire Festival which sees Pink Rabbit go missing at the annual vampire celebration and Isadora using her special fairy magic to find him. In Mirabelle and the Bitten Catastrophe, Mirabelle turns her whole class into bat-kittens with a disastrous potion! And in Emerald the Rock Princess, Emerald plans a show-stopping performance for King Auster’s jubilee party. Ideal for early readers who love chapter books, the collection also includes a bonus activity section, packed with things for readers to make. And with humour, friendship, fun and adventure on every page, look no further for that perfect birthday gift, holiday treat, or a special keepsake for Isadora fans!
(Oxford University Press, hardback, £14.99)

Age 5 plus
Isadora Moon: How To Draw & Dragon Migration

CHILDREN all around the world adore the colourful adventures of Isadora Moon, the half-fairy, half-vampire… and now youngsters can learn how to draw Isadora and the friends who appear alongside her in the top rated animated TV series based on the world created by Harriet Muncaster. This magical activity book features step-by-step guides for drawing Isadora and all her friends and family, plus simple drawing activities to practise your skills, and drawing tips and tricks to make sketches extra magical! 

Whether you’re at home, or on the go, this fun and accessible book is the perfect way to keep little readers entertained. Also in the Isadora Moon TV series tie-in collection is Dragon Migration, an enchanting picture book which features the glitter dragons’ yearly migration. Isadora and Mirabelle meet Blazing Bright, a young dragon who falls into the forest and hurts his wing. Can they help Blazing Bright get better and return him to his friends in time to join the migration? Packed with gorgeous colour illustrations and with a heart-melting story to enjoy, this is an adventure guaranteed to ‘fire up’ young imaginations!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £7.99 each)

Age 5 plus
The Gumdrops: Main Character Energy
Elissa Elwick

YOUNG imaginations are propelled into overdrive in this fun and interactive graphic novel series from Elissa Elwick, an award-winning children’s books illustrator and author who loves helping children to find their voice, get creative, and discover the power of their unique and special imagination. So meet Hope, Bubbles, Sparky and Rainbow, they’re the Gumdrops… guardians of a magical land, full of magical beings! You might meet Imaginary Friends, your favourite characters from a story, or creations from your dreams. The Gumdrops are always up for a challenge… and when they get a letter from a child in need of an imaginary friend, they have their work cut out. When the Gumdrops meet Bowie, he’s fading because his book is being forgotten... can YOU help the Gumdrops bring his story back to life by making it as exciting as possible? You’ll have to travel inside Bowie’s book, and remember to watch out for the mischievous, but adorable, Evilee! Brought to vibrant life by Elwick’s gallery of gorgeous, colourful illustrations, and with an enchanting cast of quirky characters, this is the perfect package for youngsters setting out on the road to independent reading.
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 4 plus
Cosmic Cruise: A Solar System Adventure
Owen Davey

WE have lift-off! If you have ever dreamed of heading to the skies on a solar system adventure, Cosmic Cruise is your ticket! Strap yourself in and hold on tight for a spectacular whirlwind tour of the planets, moons and wonders of our solar system. Award-winning illustrator Owen Davey takes young readers on an unforgettable visual voyage through our cosmic neighbourhood in this immersive and fabulously illustrated book. Explore fiery planets like Mercury, discover the toxic acid that rains from Venus, see the frozen moons of space, take a day trip to the Moon Dock with the International Space Station and bounce across the Moon’s surface. Then climb aboard again to explore Jupiter and Saturn and voyage beyond Pluto into the edges of icy space. With Davey’s bright and bold artwork on every page, and lots of fascinating facts, youngsters will be over the moon when they hop on board and blast off on this ultimate space adventure!
(Post Wave Children’s Books, hardback, £14.99)

Age 3 plus
Pebble and Po
Emma Simpson

‘I always know where I'm going... except for when I don't.’ 

IF your little ones love the cosy idiosyncrasies of A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh, introduce them to Pebble and Po, the enchanting bear and bunny duo dreamed up by Munich-based author and illustrator Emma Simpson. One morning, Pebble wakes up on a soft, warm tummy… Po’s tummy! And so begins an unexpected friendship. Together, they brave rainstorms, explore dark caves, and welcome a curious companion or two along the way. They may not always know where they are going, but they always have each other to lean on. Brimming with Simpson’s tender storytelling and gentle, soft-focus artwork, Pebble and Po feels as much a warm hug on a rainy day as an adorable adventure. The many charming moments invite conversations about helping others, finding the courage to ask for help, and navigating the wobbly feelings of getting muddled up or losing your way. The perfect book to celebrate the enduring power of friendship…
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £14.99)

Age 3 plus
The Forest Is a Part of Me
Elizabeth Wathuti and Michelle Pereira

LET the beauty of nature move you… and the activism amaze you! This empowering and enchanting picture book tells the powerful story of award-winning Kenyan climate activist Elizabeth Wathuti’s lifelong work to protect her homeland from the devastating effects of deforestation… and the story takes us back in time to see a little seven-year-old girl plant her first tree. Since then, she has planted millions more trees with schoolchildren and communities across critical water catchment areas. Featuring peek-through pages, printed on wood-free paper, and given life and colour by the vibrant artwork of Michelle Pereira, The Forest Is a Part of Me is a gentle and moving introduction to the importance of protecting the environment.
(Little Tiger Press, hardback, £14.99)

Age 3 plus
A Light in the Autumn Night
Frances Tosdevin and Sophia O’Connor

AS autumn fast approaches, cuddle up on cosy evenings with this beautifully emotive and atmospheric picture book from the dream team of Frances Tosdevin and Sophia O’Connor whose wonderfully descriptive books, The Library Mouse and The Bear and Her Book series, won the hearts of thousands of readers. Star of the show is Mole who loves autumn but when night falls, he prefers to stay safely inside. The dark is far too scary. One night, Mole kindly shares his glowing pumpkin light with friends who pass by in the wind and shadows. But when Mole steps into the darkness himself and his light goes out, fear takes over. Lost and alone, he soon discovers that the kindness he gave has followed him into the night. Author Tosdevin’s gentle, reassuring and lyrical rhyming story helps youngsters to overcome their fears, find comfort in friendship, and understand how even the smallest light can shine brightest when it’s shared. Add on O’Connor’s gallery of stunning illustrations, colourfully painted in loose, tonal brush strokes, and you have the perfect bedtime read for autumn and winter nights.
(Fox and Ink Publishing, paperback, £7.99)

Age 3 plus
Clive Penguin Learns to Fly, Sort of
Huw Lewis Jones and Ben Sanders

WHO'S ever heard of a flying penguin? Yes, hat-loving Clive Penguin is back and he’s on a sky-high mission to take flight! You’ve got to hand it to Huw Lewis Jones and Ben Sanders... they certainly know how to create an adorable penguin. Lewis Jones, a real life polar-exploring adventurer, and award-winning illustrator Sanders combine their talents on their second ice-coated and quirky picture book adventure starring a penguin who wants to rise above the crowd. Affronted by the narrator’s praise for ‘majestic’ swooping seagulls, Clive is determined to take to the sky himself. He’s going to fly and who says penguins can’t do it? Youngsters cannot help but fall in love with the hilariously deadpan Clive Penguin as he sets out to prove that reaching for your dreams and ignoring naysayers can sometimes help you to achieve the impossible (sort of!) With Lewis Jones providing Clive’s unique voice and Sanders delivering a perfectly matched gallery of illustrations using flashes of orange neon ink, this is the coolest picture book you will read this autumn!
(Little Tiger Press, paperback, £8.99)

Flashpoint

Wilbur Smith
(with David Churchill)

BY the spring of 1943, war has taught SOE agent Saffron Courtney that there is no escape from feelings of fear, exhaustion, extreme stress and heart-rending grief… life goes on and so does her job, wherever it may take her.

But, after a blistering mission in Washington DC saw a man shot dead and Saffron forced to flee the city without even her luggage, she knows that her swift exit to New York has come at a price that will one day cost her dearly.

From the dawn of the 17th century right through to the 20th century, we have witnessed the fortunes and misfortunes of the sprawling and ambitious Courtney family as they negotiate war, social upheaval and the dark side of history.

Their creator is the phenomenally successful South African author Wilbur Smith (below, left), a legendary figure in historical adventure fiction who died in 2021 and left behind a vast literary legacy of over 40 novels, including the Courtney, Ballantyne, and Egyptian series. Since 2015, critically acclaimed writer David Churchill (below, right) has co-authored several of the later Courtney books, helping to successfully usher Smith’s treasure trove of family sagas into a thrilling new era which fuses real history, action, wartime drama and espionage.

Flashpoint is the staggering 26th book in the Courtney series and, after following her daring deeds in Courtney’s War, Legacy of War and Crossfire, we meet up once again the feisty, fearless Saffron who grew up on a sprawling Kenyan estate under the watchful eye of her distinguished war veteran father Leon Courtney but was lured to England by her thirst for knowledge and adventure.

Recruited by the Special Operations Executive in London, Saffron has become one of their toughest, most reliable agents and in 1943, we find her in New York and trying to recover, albeit briefly, from her perilous mission in Washington. But events on the other side of the Atlantic are making her return to England inevitable. The War Office need someone to extract an ‘asset’ – Jewish scientist Caleb Ezra, a university academic with knowledge that is vital to the war effort – from his hideaway on the besieged Greek island of Leros.

Ezra was sprung from his home in Thessaloniki by a Greek Communist resistance group after they received inside information that both the man and his work were due to be seized by the occupying Nazis. He is now in hiding until he can be rescued by agents but hanging over Saffron is that unsettled debt in New York, and when deals have been done with the Mob, they won’t wait…

Fast forward three years to Kenya in 1946 where Saffron is settled back in her beloved homeland, and reunited with her German lover-now-husband Gerhard von Meerbach, a former Luftwaffe pilot who fought undercover to defeat the Nazis.

With the war now over, Saffron thinks that she might finally have found the peace she craves but when she is visited by an English operative who blackmails her with accusations that Gerhard was involved in Nazi atrocities, Saffron has no choice but to return to the USA at his bidding. With not only her own life, but also that of her family, at stake, Saffron must track down Ezra once more… before it’s too late.

Flashpoint, a suspense-packed, fast-moving tale of cat-and-mouse espionage, menace, conspiracy, and a race-against-time mission for the truth, is a thrilling journey as we travel alongside the latest, unforgettable member of the star-studded Courtneys, a family which has witnessed the unfolding of tumultuous history through many centuries.

As the resourceful and resilient Saffron once more risks life and limb in a role that requires her to get as close as possible ‘to men any sane woman would go out of her way to avoid,’ the tension ratchets up to breaking point and events dating back to Saffron’s wartime assignment in America threaten to overturn her new-found calm.

Setting the latest Courtney saga amidst of one of the most brutal wars in history was always going to be an electrifying chapter… and this new white-knuckle ride for long-suffering Saffron certainly delivers all the daring, danger and dazzle we have come to expect from this top class series!
(Zaffre, hardback, £22)

Illicit Still

William McIntyre

WHEN a bestselling novelist is charged with the murder of her wealthy whisky entrepreneur husband, the Procurator Fiscal in Linlithgow is confident that they have a watertight case against her.

But, not for the first time, the Crown prosecutors have underestimated the dogged determination of sharp-witted defence lawyer Robbie Munro who is convinced that there is more to this case than meets the eye. And just as murky secrets start swilling to the surface, Robbie faces a danger too close to home for comfort.

If you haven’t already encountered William McIntyre’s long-running Robbie Munro Legal Thriller series, then rest assured that these brilliantly authentic Scottish courtroom dramas have stayed the course over sixteen books and, along the way, won an army of adoring fans.

The undoubted key to the success of these thrillers is McIntyre’s (pictured below) decades-long career as a lawyer specialising in criminal defence and his wealth of courtroom experience. Now retired, McIntyre’s involvement in many high-profile cases has enabled him to skilfully transform fact into fiction, offering readers a fascinating glimpse into the quirks and complexities of the Scottish criminal justice system.

Packed with tension, twists, and the cynical humour that has marked this series, Robbie Munro’s intriguing new murder case steeps us in Scotland’s famous whisky-brewing industry and the mystery of a deadly secret hidden in a rare, single-malt whisky.  

When bestselling novelist Jilly Jean Lyon – real name Gillian Halkett – is accused of poisoning her whisky entrepreneur husband with fentanyl, Robbie is pulled into a case that looks, on the surface, to be open-and-shut. The only part of Tom Halkett’s body that has been found is his arm but forensics have detected the use of fentanyl in his death and as the evidence stacks up, his landed gentry family wealth would seem to make the motive clear.

The Procurator Fiscal, Hugh Ogilvie, a man generally viewed by Robbie as ‘the burst egg in life’s frying pan,’ declares that the Crown is ready to close in on the murder charge but Robbie doesn’t believe the story is that simple.

Joined by his father Alex Munro – a former cop not happy that while his career was spent putting people in prison, his son is trying to keep them out – Robbie digs into Tom Halkett’s boutique distillery and learns that the family had set in motion ‘a neat piece of tax avoidance’ that involved a great deal of ‘trust’ among each other.

Soon missing casks, hidden debts, and a 40-year-old single-malt whisky, point to something far darker than a straightforward murder. Someone went to great lengths to make this look like an open-and-shut case and they’re not finished yet. But when Robbie discovers that Pat Sweeney – a dangerous former client jailed for drug dealing and grooming kids at school gates – is out of jail, has a grudge against Robbie and is asking questions about the lawyer’s 11-year-old daughter, the case starts to fracture…

Renowned for their accuracy in law and procedure, McIntyre’s character-driven Robbie Munro thrillers have been praised by legal professionals on both sides of the Bar for their realism, and this new case blends crime, whisky and social politics into reading perfection.

Whether enjoyed as a stand-alone story or read as part of the series, these legal dramas cannot fail to entertain, with each book capturing Robbie’s candid, often sardonic perspective on life and the law, and adding a welcome vein of dark humour to the rich capillary of crime trails and trials.

With Robbie joined in his enquiries by his ex-cop dad Alex, some (always) welcome input from his graceless, grunting, long-suffering secretary, Grace Mary, and guest appearances by Robbie’s psychopathic landlord, Jake Turpie, this is the ideal opportunity to settle down with a wee dram because justice has never been so intoxicating!
(Vinci Books, paperback, £9.99)

CHILDREN'S BOOKS: Castle games, defying fate and a pop-up octopus

Discover a thrilling world where castles move around like game pieces on a chess board, join two brothers who have only three chances to escape a terrible fate, dive into the ocean’s darkest depths and discover amazing creatures, and visit a sci-fi universe for hilarious intergalactic adventures in a late summer selection of dazzling children’s books

Age 12 plus
Traitors' Nest
Frances Hardinge

CASTLES have always held a special allure for Costa award-winning author Frances Hardinge, and their secrets, histories and mysteries are harnessed with all her extraordinary world-building powers for this stunning young adult fantasy. Drawing inspiration from real medieval society in a stunningly imagined world where castles move around like game pieces on a chess board, Traitors’ Nest is a Gothic thriller full of timeless themes and motifs but also endlessly exciting in its originality, epic scope and unforgettable scene-setting. Castles traded places sometimes… everyone knew that. It was always something that might happen, except that it never had. Until all of a sudden it did. Far above the valleys and villages of the Kingdom of Thaletal, a Great Game is played. Players move castles around the realm like chess pieces… and the ordinary villagers are mere pawns at the whim of their tactics. 

But when 15-year-old Burr's peaceful village is disrupted by the arrival of an ominous new castle, he bucks the trend and decides that he’s had enough. However, what starts as a plucky coup quickly escalates… and soon the castle is wrenched away to a far-flung corner of the kingdom where whispers mount of a mysterious ancient maiden whose magpies collect her debts at dangerous prices. Here, the stakes are higher than the tallest turrets, and every move counts. Burr must work with his sisters and friends – and rely on the unexpected help of a strange and intriguing heiress – to unravel the secrets of the Magpie Maiden and the origins of the Great Game before he becomes just another casualty of the Players’ deadly contest.

Combining her long-held belief that castles are both the stuff of fairy tales, full of danger, mystery, glamour and forgotten secrets, but also places where real people lived and used their castles as power bases to control roads, rivers, and land, Hardinge brings readers a spectacular other world fraught with menace, magic, danger and unpredictability. With a dark and enthralling atmosphere, electrifying gameplay, unexpected twists and turns, and a selection of beautifully stylish black and white illustrations by Nick Hayes, Traitors’ Nest is a thrill ride from start to finish. Make your move and let the game begin!
(First Ink, hardback, £16.99)

Age 9 plus
The Haunting of Old Splinter
Jack Mackay

ONE magic relic, two brothers, three chances to defy fate... Immerse yourself – if you dare! – in a seriously spooky adventure from writer, theatre-maker and horror enthusiast Jack Mackay. Packed with spine-chilling scares and all those classic horror story tropes, this haunting, taunting tale – with an unexpected warm heart at its centre – is a true contemporary must-read.
Be careful what you wish for... Peter and his half-brother Adrian live in the shadow of Old Splinter, a ruined mansion on the hill where legends of ancient relics and dark magic swirl. And the cracks are starting to show in their once-happy family. Faced with the daunting task of renovating the place, Peter’s stepdad is at his wits’ end and the boys feel powerless to help. Then Peter unearths a horrifying secret in the walls of the mansion and the brothers realise there’s some truth to the terrifying tales. If the Wishing Claw is real, it can grant their deepest desires… and it might just bring their family back together. But wishes are tricky things and Peter unleashes much more than he bargained for. And when something monstrous comes knocking at his door, he must find a way to undo his wish before it’s too late… Emotions – and fearsome frights – are at the highest level in this brilliantly imagined adventure from one of the most exciting new voices in middle grade fiction. Just remember to read it before dark!
(Rock the Boat, paperback, £8.99)

Age 7 plus
The Incredible Pop-up Octopus
Ben Hoare and Jasmine Floyd

COME and explore the ocean’s dark and thrilling depths… and discover the bizarre, beautiful and awe-inspiring creatures that live there! Written by award-winning wildlife journalist and self-confessed nature nerd Ben Hoare, and gloriously illustrated in striking colour and texture by rising star Jasmine Floyd, this fact-packed pop-up book shows the true ethereal beauty of the deep sea and the wildlife that thrives in its depths. From the dumbo octopus and the gulper eel to amazing anglerfish, ginormous giant squids and curious deep-sea corals, The Incredible Pop-up Octopus is packed with multi-layered pop-ups and flaps to lift. This amazing feat of paper-engineering invites you to immerse yourself in one of the least explored parts of our planet and learn how the creatures there have adapted to their otherworldly underwater home. Be dazzled by brilliant bioluminescence, marvel at the epic battle between a whale and a giant squid and brave scalding hydrothermal vents as the extraordinary pop-up pages reveal wonder after wonder. A thrilling close-up look at the weird and wonderful marine life hidden far, far away from the human eye!
(Templar Books, hardback, £25, published on September 10)

Age 7 plus
Cosmic Cadets and the Wormhole Witch
Ryan Crawford and Rochelle Falconer

HOLD on tight because you’re heading into a sci-fi universe to share more hilarious intergalactic adventures with Gloria, the first ever human to get into the Cosmic Cadet Academy, and her best friend Razz, a cat-like alien who is way too keen on following the rules! Cosmic Cadets and the Wormhole Witch is the second book of an all-action comedy series, packed with mystery, friendship, and cosmic chaos, from writer, coach and game designer Ryan Crawford and illustrator Rochelle Falconer. Gloria is thrilled to be attending her very first Cosmic Gala… the most spectacular event in the galaxy. With famous heroes, dazzling outfits, and incredible celebrations waiting, it’s an occasion she has been looking forward to for ages. But when Captain Tinsela’s special gala outfit mysteriously disappears, the festivities are suddenly thrown into jeopardy. Determined to help, Gloria and Razz leap into action, setting off on an urgent mission to recover the missing dress before the celebrations begin. Their search takes them across the cosmos, through a giant wormhole, and straight into the path of Wendy the Wormhole Witch. Once Captain Tinsela’s closest friend, Wendy is tired of living in her shadow and has hatched a dramatic plan to ruin the gala altogether. With enormous space worms causing mayhem and time running out, Gloria and Razz must work together to stop a cosmic catastrophe! Set in a vividly imagined alternative space world full of extraordinary locations, quirky characters, and larger-than-life adventures, and brought to colourful life by Falconer’s bold and stylish artwork, Gloria’s new mission also delivers resonant themes of co-operation, understanding, and working together to overcome challenges. An out-of-this-world adventure you won’t want to miss!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £7.99)

Age 7 plus
Tiny Hercules: Golden Cabbage Chaos!
Jon Lock and Nich Angell

GET ready for lots of legendary laughs with Tiny Hercules in the second instalment of a chaotically funny comic book series from top team Jon Lock, a writer and game designer, and illustrator, cartoonist and tabletop game designer Nich Angell. Stars of these unmissable comedy capers are a host of tiny gods, myths, legends and a herculean mountain of belly laughs! Tiny Hercules is trying to win his way back to Tiny Olympus, one epic deed at a time! Ready for his next task, the jam jar-sized Tiny Hercules has to find the elusive golden cabbage. But what he doesn't realise is that Tiny Zeus has sent three mythical beasts to stop him in his tracks! Faced with the Tinytaur, Minidusa and the Grifflet, even a hero as mighty as Tiny Hercules will have his work cut out as he tries to complete this next mission. Meanwhile, graph-loving nerd-boy Jeff is doing everything he can to save the local supermarket from closing. Armed with facts, figures and charts, he’s ready for a mathematical fight! When Tiny Hercules and Jeff’s adventures cross over, chaos is bound to reign. Nothing – and nobody – can stop this tiny but mighty hero in his second GIANT adventure… not even a trio of fierce tiny beasts! With giggles galore guaranteed on every page, an army of madcap mythical beasts and epic tasks at every turn, this truly legendary series is proving to be number one favourite with reluctant readers.
(Macmillan Children’s Books, paperback, ££9.99)

Age 5 plus
Isadora Moon: Mermaid Sleepover & Fairy Forest Ballet

HELP your youngsters discover the joy of reading with these exciting and accessible early reader books based on the top-rated Isadora Moon animated TV series, from the world created by Harriet Muncaster. Isadora is the half-fairy, half-vampire adored by children all around the world and these colourful TV tie-in books, with an accessible font and simplified language, bridge the gap between picture books and chapter books making them ideal for children who are just starting to read independently.

In this sea-washed story, Isadora goes for a mermaid sleepover at Delphina’s underwater palace. Being far from home is exciting at first, but at bedtime Isadora starts to miss her dad and their special night flights. Can she bring a bit of her vampire magic to the sea kingdom? And in Isadora Moon: Fairy Forest Ballet, Isadora is excited for a ballet lesson with Uncle Alvin, Primrose, and Mirabelle! But while Primrose tries her best to get the moves right, Isadora and Mirabelle get distracted by a bit of mischief and magic... Will the show still go on? Brought to life by adorable colour illustrations and featuring stories filled with fun, magic and mischief, these easy-read adventures are ideal starters for a lifetime of book love!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £6.99 each)

Age 5 plus
Kitty and the Nightfall Festival
Paula Harrison and Jenny Løvlie

WHEN you’re a girl by day and a cat by night, adventures are never far away! Author Paula Harrison and illustrator Jenny Løvlie work their special magic on this fun-filled first chapter book series which features enchanting adventures with feisty feline star Kitty and her cat crew on moonlit missions. Beautifully presented and densely illustrated in tones of grey and orange on almost every page, superhero Kitty’s magical stories are simply purrfect for cat lovers, young adventurers and all newly confident readers. Fearless Kitty is a superhero-in-training with feline superpowers. She dreams of being just like her superhero mum one day, but she’s still got a lot to learn. In this exciting new adventure, we discover that Kitty has been counting down to the Hallam City Music Festival for weeks! Her favourite band, the Glitter Girls, will be performing and Kitty can’t wait to see them play. But disaster strikes when drummer Candy’s lucky drumsticks disappear. Without them, Candy won’t play and the show will have to be cancelled. It’s up to Kitty – along with her friends Ozzy and Sienna – to solve the mystery. It’s going to take all Kitty’s cat-like powers to find the drumsticks and save the festival… but will she manage it in time? Expect cheeky cats, musical mischief and giggles galore as the merry band of moggies tune up for their daring new mission… and enjoy some fun activities at the back of the book!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £6.99)

Age 5 plus
Cat and Dumpling: The Super-Duper Shop
Nicola Kent

OPPOSITES really DO attract in this enchanting series which has been perfectly created for youngsters ready to move beyond picture books and discover the joy of chapter books. Written with Nicola Kent’s gentle humour and filled with her vibrant full-colour illustrations, this is the fourth book starring two unlikely furry friends… Cat, an impulsive dreamer who loves to knit and leap into any new adventure, and Dumpling the dog, a thoughtful gardener who prefers to plan carefully. Here we find Cat back from a trip to the supermarket and bursting with inspiration. She decides to open her very own shop, complete with signs, displays and grand ideas. Dumpling is impressed and happily agrees to help. But there’s just one small problem… they have absolutely nothing to sell. As the pair scramble to find items, customers, and a purpose for their tabletop sale, things go from bad to worse, with funny mishaps. Will their shop close before they’ve even made a sale? Once again, the disparate pair’s far-fetched schemes and conflicting ideas wreak good-hearted slapstick havoc, and little ones can rest assured that Cat and Dumpling’s escapades will always have a happy ending!
(Oxford University Press, paperback, £6.99)

Age 4 plus
The Weather Shop
Thomas Lee

HAVE you ever visited Dragon Hill Village? If you do, be sure to call in at the Weather Shop, a very special place where Mole makes weather for anyone who needs it! Youngsters will be spellbound by this adorable picture book – full of colour, fun and every kind of weather – from bestselling Korean author and illustrator Thomas Lee who uses watercolours to create visually exciting scenes. Dragon Hill Village has lots of shops selling unusual things, and the most famous one of them all is Mole’s Weather Shop at the foot of Blue Dragon Hill. So when Cat worries about her flowers, she goes to the shop and Mole makes a rain-shower balloon. When Elephant wants help playing hide-and-seek, Mole bakes fog bread. Mole has a remedy for each of his friends, but if they don’t listen carefully to his instructions, the weather might just surprise them! And when some animals have too much fun with snowman spray, the whole village turns white overnight. Mole will have to come to their aid with a magical solution! This English-language edition is translated by Deborah Smith, bringing to life the cosy charm of Lee’s story and the animal characters he creates. Add on the richly detailed illustrations and you have an enchanting world which young readers will return to time and time again!
(Do Re Mi, hardback, £12.99)

Age 4 plus
The Beginner’s Guide
to Being a Wizard
Keith Negley

SO you want to be a wizard? That’s an excellent choice… and here’s exactly how you fulfil your dream! Kate Greenaway-nominated author and illustrator Keith Negley puts his own special magic spell on this hilarious how-to guide for aspiring young wizards. Grab your wand and dive into this laugh-out-loud picture book which is packed full of wise words and magical surprises. The Beginner’s Guide to Being a Wizard covers everything from essential tools for aspiring wizards to choosing a familiar, casting spells, duels and,  of course, snacks! Both hilarious and heartwarming, this tongue-in-cheek guide is packed full of Negley’s colourful artwork and sparkles with just as much wisdom as it does magic. Guaranteed to cast a spell over youngsters beginning their (far too early!) countdown to Halloween!
(Puffin, paperback, £8.99)

Age 3 plus
Colin’s Monster
Holly Swain

IF you still recall chuckling and chortling at award-winning author and illustrator Holly Swain’s picture books Colin’s Castle and Colin’s Grandma – starring vegetarian vampire called Colin who bought a castle only to find that it came with a duck – then you’ll be laughing and loving these comic capers again when you join them for a monster hunt in the castle dungeon! Yes, Colin and Duck are back in this highly anticipated new adventure and the two good friends have noticed a VERY strange noise! They search from top to bottom, finding rooms they have never been in before – and rooms they will never go in again. Soon there is only one place left to look… the DUNGEON! Uh-oh! Colin and Duck have never been inside the dusty old dungeon. What – or who – is making the noise… and why?! With a hilarious take on the spooky Halloween vibe, but with a sense of fun that will create ghostly giggles at any time of the year, Colin’s Monster is not to be sneezed at as Swain cleans up a with her trademark brilliantly funny final twist. No youngster will won’t want to duck out of this rollicking romp which has been perfectly created to read aloud!
(Farshore, paperback, £7.99)

Age one plus
Busy Little Fingers: Play & Move
Martine Perrin

HANDS up if you love playing! All you need is two hands, eight fingers, two thumbs – each one colour-coded and ready to play – to enjoy these clever, interactive board book which encourage hand movement while introducing left and right, and the names of all the fingers. In Busy Little Fingers: Play, busy little fingers are invited to tickle, knock, climb and crawl using fingers, thumbs and palms. 

Use your fingers to crawl like a spider, swish across the page like windscreen wipers and find your way through a maze. 

And in Busy Little Fingers: Move, babies and toddlers are invited to touch, tap, walk and play using fingers, thumbs and palms. Thumbs up and thumbs down, point left and point right. Gently educational while offering interactive fun and play, these books are hands down winners for your little ones!
(Post Wave Children’s Books, board books, £9.99 each)

Age one plus
Peggy Goes for a Walk
Tonka Uzu

AS autumn fast approaches, why not join little Peggy and her Grandpa on an enchanting walk through nature! Peggy Goes for a Walk is the creation of Bulgarian-born author and illustrator Tonka Uzu who fills her board book with heartwarming illustrations and endearing messages about persistence, enjoyment and celebrating the small joys of everyday life. Determined to explore, Peggy slides down little hills, splashes in muddy puddles and snuggles up in the crunchy fallen leaves. And when her little legs get tired, Grandpa is always there to carry her all the way home. With its simple, charming story and enchanting watercolour illustrations, this is the perfect book for toddlers discovering the great outdoors!
(Post Wave Children’s Books, board book, £7.99)

Crone

Keith Rosson 

By guest reviewer
Nicholas Litchfield, 
editor of the Lowestoft Chronicle

A TEENAGE girl’s disappearance on a rain-soaked Oregon highway casts a long shadow over Salt Point, a coastal town where secrets cling as tightly as the fog.

Keith Rosson (pictured below) – a Shirley Jackson Award-winner who has garnered widespread acclaim for his genre-defying fiction from the likes of Stephen King – plunges readers into a world where the boundary between the living and the dead often vanishes in his electrifying new novel Crone. Released next month, the story blends rural noir and supernatural horror, and is rooted in the isolation and decay of a town marked by grief and addiction.

Set in the fictional town of Salt Point, Crone opens with fifteen-year-old Hannah Lamp and her best friend, Avery Bryant, caught in a torrential rainstorm as they walk home at night after a party. Nearly blind from birth, Hannah is fiercely independent but isolated, her mother gone and her father troubled. Exhausted and frustrated by her limited vision, Hannah insists they accept a ride from a blue van. Avery is wary, but ultimately Hannah approaches the van alone and vanishes, leaving Avery burdened by guilt.

Thirteen years later, Hannah’s father, Eli Lamp, is desperate and broken. Once a respected detective, now a recovering addict, Eli works as an enforcer for Dave Novak’s Crooked Wheel, a biker gang that controls the local trade in ‘wire,’ a hallucinogenic street drug that rots its users. Guilt, debt, and the unsolved mystery of Hannah’s fate haunt his every move.

Salt Point is further unsettled when Vicki Stubbs, the eccentric town witch, discovers a human heart on the beach, bound with blackthorn and amaranth and pierced with ritual objects. Alarmed, Vicki investigates, quietly convinced something darker is at work. Meanwhile, Eli’s violent enforcement of Novak’s rules deepens his self-loathing, even as he is sent to intimidate a low-level dealer selling wire without approval. Soon after, Eli is summoned by Novak’s right-hand man to examine the mutilated body of Novak’s son, Anton, at a local creek. Forced to investigate discreetly, Eli suspects the murder is more than Novak’s claim that he is a victim of rival gang Brother Night. Consumed by grief, Novak demands personal vengeance and refuses to involve the police. Desperate for answers, Eli is offered a deal… if he finds Anton’s killer, Novak will clear his debt.

Meanwhile, Hannah’s friend Avery returns to Salt Point after years away, compelled by dreams of the missing girl. Arrested for having drug paraphernalia and reunited with Eli, Avery finds old wounds reopened. Alone and desperate, she slips back into addiction and is drawn deeper into Salt Point’s shadows, pursued by her abusive boyfriend and hunted by men from Brother Night.

A violent confrontation leaves her wounded and alone, until a harrowing encounter with a monstrous, witch-like figure in the woods sets her on a collision course with the town’s darkest secrets...

Rosson expertly ratchets up the tension, drawing vivid, empathetic characters in taut, immersive prose. Salt Point emerges as both the setting and a leading player in Crone, its secrets as much a part of the landscape as the towering firs and restless sea. Full of menace and heartbreak, Crone is a lyrical meditation on loss and resilience, a story where the past refuses to stay buried and the price of truth is nothing less than a transformation.
(Black Crow Books, hardback, £19.99)

⬛Nicholas Litchfield is an English-born author and journalist who lives in Western New York. He established the Lowestoft Chronicle, a quarterly online magazine, in 2009. It  publishes short stories, flash fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, interviews, and artwork.(lowestoftchronicle.com)