Description

 

‘Charming and delightful … a whimsical adventure story stuffed to the flippers with fish puns and fun.’ SAM SEDGMAN, CO-AUTHOR OF THE ADVENTURES ON TRAINS SERIES

‘The story has been polished like a pebble in a gift shop ? so charming and quirky is our voyage’ THE TIMES

‘[A] gem of a book’ JENNIFER KILLICK

‘Crammed to the gills with everything I want in a middle-grade book … I was swept right into the vivid world of Merlington and adored the larger-than-life characters deftly drawn in technicolour – they sing from the pages!’ JASBINDER BILAN

Marina lives in Merlington, a fish-obsessed seaside town. Unfortunately, she doesn’t care for fish; she loves telling stories.

Marina finds her best story yet when she explores the ruined, haunted pier: a boy called William with a head of tentacles and crab claws for hands. He has lived on the pier all his life, cared for by a fisherman who has since disappeared and who warned him always to remain hidden.

Together, the pair resolve to unravel the mystery of his past – but danger isn’t far away …

• The debut novel by Richard Pickard, a fresh new voice in children’s fiction and winner of the Times/Chicken House Chairman’s Choice Award 2019.
• A funny, dark, core middle-grade story touching on themes of lies, storytelling, secrets, acceptance and, of course, fish!
• Perfect for fans of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events and Edward Scissorhands!