Fans of a murder mystery, fans of a spine-chilling supernatural thriller, fans of a girls boarding school drama, super fans of Phil Hickes’s ‘Aveline Jones’ series - your desperate wait for what to read next is over! 

Set in an eerie, fog-drenched house in England, Lucy Strange’s newest novella explores wartime grief and loneliness in a Victorian historical setting. Published by Barrington Stoke for ages 9+ (with a reading age of 8+), this dyslexia-friendly book delivers a supernatural tale with an unexpected twist.

Larry Hayes delivers a thrilling mix of humour, horror and heart. ‘The Nightmares of Finnegan Quick’ is spine-chilling, edge-of-your-seat fast-paced, and very exciting, I couldn’t put it down! Keep your skillet, frying pan, water pistols of holy water at the ready… you won’t want to miss this series!

Ian Eagleton’s deeply personal connection to the subject matter, including his own diagnosis of OCD as a youth adds an extra layer of authenticity. This is a gripping tale that masterfully blends the real and the supernatural, offering readers both an exciting ghost story and a powerful exploration of mental health, friendship, and resilience.

A special welcome to those who have found my review today through the official Usborne Blog Tour - so happy to see you here! As the second of ‘The Book of Stolen Dreams’ adventures publishes in paperback, I get a chance to celebrate this unforgettable story all over again!!

I love to travel in the books I read (as you know)… and I have never read a book before filled with narrative from the perspective of the First Country people of Australia. The landscape, wildlife and plants of the bush, almost feel alien to my own lived experience of the European countryside. It is totally fascinating. This is top notch storytelling from someone who has an incredible imagination, foresight and attention to detail. This book is so 'deadly'!! I loved it!!

'Wilder' is set in a British water-side village, perhaps 150-200 years ago, telling by the landowning gentry, clothing worn, lack of industry, Christian superstitiousness of traditional folklore ways. A touching story that achieves the delicate balance between sacrifice, loss, and an appreciation for life entwined in the presence of nature in any given moment.