If your mum vanished on Bonfire Night how far would you go to find the truth? Timothy Shaw travels 300 years into the past, battling DECEIVERS – creatures that shift between human and bird form – in a supernatural race against time to unravel his mum’s disappearance and unlock a dark secret. A secret that holds the key to the survival of mankind itself…

The Secret on the Second Shelf is a fantasy adventure novel, likely to appeal to fans of Philip Pullman, and/or those who like a good mix of mystery, scary monsters and time travel.  It’s targeting 8-12 year olds, but is equally suitable for the older kids among us!

It features an ancient race called the Deceivers. They’re not a friendly bunch and have the rather annoying habit of shape-shifting into bird-like creatures when you least expect it.  Set in Cambridge, the protagonist, Tim, must confront these scary beasts before he can uncover the truth about his mum, after she disappears on bonfire night – but also learn the ultimate truth about himself.  Who is he really?

Gemma Bowen, who runs the after-school art club, helps Tim unravel the mystery when they find themselves transported back in time on their quest for the truth. Gemma is a strong, feisty female character with a love of art and her quirky cat, Einstein!