When curious blue rays light up the sky over Cockermouth in
a mysterious pattern, young sisters Mae and Isla Donaldson face shape-shifting
adversaries. With the help of their irascible Granddad, the girls discover how
to break a secret code and unlock the truth about a group of special agents who
disappeared from a Lake District beauty spot while investigating UFOs. The
girls must prove their suspicions about the glamorous new people in town before
it's too late.
Meet the Donaldson girls - primary schoolers and detectives. Mae, clever and very, very proper. Isla, a wild, artistic soul most at home wandering the fells of England's beautiful Lake District. They are united by an uncanny ability to share their thoughts.
About the Author :
Author Biography:
Warren Cabral practised law in Bermuda for 30 years before taking up his
pen as author of fiction for adults and children. Even before his second career as a writer, he
had written short stories, plays, pantomimes and the books for two
musicals. He was the winner of The Royal
Gazette prize for one of his short stories. His most recent theatrical work was
On the Line, staged at The Tea House Theatre in London. The Lakeland Mysteries, of which The Fire on
Slate Fell is the first book, is Warren's first venture into children's
fiction.
Illustrator Biography: Corryn Webb is a Welsh freelance illustrator
and designer based in the rugged mountains beside the North Wales coast in the
UK. Living with her husband, children and rescue dogs. With her vivid
imagination and eye for detail, Corryn has been lauded for her beautiful
award-winning pieces bursting to the rim with creativity. She is fascinated by
the beauty, magic, and mythology of the natural landscape of Wales, which
regularly inspires her art. When she's
not working, you can find her tending her indoor jungle, reading or making,
whether that be model making or embroidery she loves to create. Corryn's
passionate about creating unique and eye-catching illustrations for children's
books. Creating new characters, embarking on adventures with old friends,
exploring magical kingdoms and sparking the imagination of small and big humans
are her raison d'etre.
Review :
"In what may
be my favourite of the series, Warren Cabral brilliantly blends the
fantastical, the extraterrestrial, and the local. From Isla and Mae's
wonderful relationship to the entertaining cast of secondary characters and
villainous foes, coupled with the blending of the Sci-Fi and the Gothic, this
is 'The Lakeland Mysteries' firing on all creative cylinders. A wonderful
read from cover to cover." Lu Acevedo, Writer and
ESL Tutor, Mexico City.
"Another
captivating and fast-moving adventure in which the fearless and sparky
sisters Mae and Isla use their idiosyncratic blend of logic and telepathy to
solve the mystery - all without upsetting their long-suffering parents too
much!" Alice
Hart-Davis, Journalist
and author, London.
"When an
enigmatic light show over Cockermouth baffles the ever-curious Donaldson
girls, they just can't resist starting another investigation. With tales of
missing people, mysterious communications and a new arrival to the village
who seems too good to be true, this spellbinding story is packed with twists
and turns, gripping you right until its unexpected end." Katherine G., Biologist,
mother of one, Zurich
"The
Vanishing Young of Rydal Cave is a cerebral children's mystery, filled with
both humour, and dark and unexpected twists. Cabral presents some deep
musings on communication, morality, and innocence, while keeping the prose
accessible to young readers. We move jauntily from chapter to chapter, as
fascinating concepts go "zinging" across the page." Jonathan
Frith, Singer-songwriter,
Bermuda
"When unique
sisters Mae and Isla put their heads together sparks fly and the adventure
begins in this magical sci-fi story of intrigue and villainy. Perfect
for young minds to indulge their imaginations and adults too who love to read
bedtime stories to them." Carol Birch, Director and
playwright, Bermuda.
"Warren
Cabral weaves together history, science, and adventure in a spooky,
fast-paced story that challenges Mae and Isla to unravel a decades-old
mystery involving secret Cold War projects, UFO sightings, and a pair of
unforgettable new neighbors. The clever sisters must rely on their
intelligence, wit, and courage to uncover the truth - and to protect their
town before the past repeats itself. A great romp for young readers and their
parents, or grandparents." Geoffrey
Bonnycastle, Creative
Director and Entrepreneur, California
"The back and
forth between the sisters drives the plot at a steady pace, each leapfrogging
on the other's ideas to reach their conclusions. The scientific explanations
scattered through the book ensure understanding without bogging down the
story. A fun read, with several threads left dangling that demand another
book in the series!" Jeremy
Scrimes, Teacher,
father of three, Zurich
"Mae and Isla are two young, quirky
sisters testing the boundaries with their loving parents. On the surface just
a normal modern family, except we discover that Mae and Isla share a very
special secret, and everything is not as it seems in their small English
town. An exciting and fast-paced story that is hard to put down. Looking
forward to the next installment!" Richard
Deverson, Father &
engineer, Zurich
