|
|
|
Love and possession. Art and immortality.
Published in David Fickling Books hardback, and in two Random House paperback editions: Definitions for teenagers and Black Swan for adults A reader-teasing mystery in the tradition of Wilkie Collins and the Victorian Gothic novel, set in 1898. Fourwinds, a country house close to the South Downs, is the pride of its owner, wealthy widower Ernest Farrow. Samuel Godwin, a gullible young artist employed by Farrow as painter and tutor, is irrevocably drawn into the lives of the three young women at Fourwinds: demure Juliana; Charlotte Agnew, governess and companion, who reveals little of her thoughts and aspirations; and Marianne, the younger daughter, passionate, wilful and unpredictable. Intrigued by Marianne to the point of obsession, Samuel little suspects how thoroughly he is being manipulated. It's not only the people who fascinate. Samuel is equally entranced by the house itself: Fourwinds, beautifully designed and furnished in Arts and Crafts style, a house to delight and surprise with the attention paid to every detail. What, though, can account for the absence of the West Wind carving, and the disappearance of its creator, the gifted sculptor Gideon Waring, whose name must never be mentioned in Mr Farrow's hearing? Awed by Waring's skill, Samuel longs to meet him and see more of his work. But in doing so, he uncovers secrets that are both horrifying and dangerous to all ... "To handle stone is to handle the stuff of life and death, of time and change, the mysteries of the Earth itself..." category winner, Costa Book Awards 2006 "This beautifully crafted, fast-paced book, unveils secret after secret, surprising, shocking, and keeping the reader guessing." ~ Good Reading Magazine, 5-star review "... works on every level. The plot is full of twists, the characters are multi-dimensional, and the atmosphere is electric." ~ The Glasgow Herald "... succeeds so brilliantly not through sensationalism but the virtuosity of the style." ~ The Independent. "... the truth unfolds with staggering consequences ... Newbery writes with grace and immediacy, making the events of an earlier century vivid." ~ The Telegraph "Linda Newbery characteristically refuses to compromise, either in narrative complexity, or in subject matter ... a powerful page-turner, gripping to the end." Celia Rees, ~ The Ultimate Teenage Book Guide "... Newbery's masterpiece of storytelling." ~ The Oxford Times "If I had the chance – know, or not know? – I’d have to choose knowing. It must always be better to know, mustn’t it?" When Heidigran comes to live with the Craig family, her granddaughter Hilly finds herself becoming increasingly involved with events buried deep in the past. Secrets are slowly unveiled as Heidigran becomes confused and ill. Her curious reaction to Hilly’s playing of Für Elise and the discovery of a stray photograph lead to revelations that rock the stability of the entire family. SHORTLISTED FOR THE CARNEGIE MEDAL “Outstanding … one of this year’s
most compelling ‘crossover’ reads for teenagers and adults.”
ISBN 038560470X Now in Definitions paperback. Available from Amazon.co.uk When Greg stumbles across the beautiful ruins of Graveney Hall, he becomes intrigued by the story behind its destruction. He and his friend Faith are drawn into a quest to discover the fate of Graveney’s last heir – Edmund, a young soldier who disappeared under mysterious circumstances during the First World War. But Greg soon finds that his investigations have a disturbing effect. His confused relationships with important newcomers to his life, Faith and Jordan, and his conflicting views on love and faith, ultimately reveal more about himself than Greg would ever have imagined … Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and for the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize “Passionate and provoking.” ~ Amazon.com ISBN 0099455935 [paperback] Available from Amazon.co.uk
Life changes completely for twins Alice and Jack when the First World War breaks out. Jack leaves the stables to fight and Alice becomes a nurse. In the four years of war they mature, maintaining their courage, sense of purpose and capacity for love. “One of the most powerful recreations of
the horrors of the Great War, both at home and in the trenches, I have
encountered … a riveting read.” ISBN 1903015200 Available from Amazon.co.uk 
home | autobiography | older
fiction | middle
years fiction
stories & poems | news/coming soon | links/contacts This page last updated 11 January, 2008 |
The
Shell House
Some
Other War