Showing results by narrator "Chris Devon" in All Categories

Is Oakmoss Hornbeam the unluckiest boy in the world? Or has someone cursed him? When a black cat crosses his path, mysteriously blown in by a storm, Oakmoss believes it’s his worst omen yet. But Nightshade, a cat of considerable talents, knows when it’s game on or game over. With the help of newshound Veena Vale and magical crime investigator Dexter Stormforce, she sets out to become a lucky charm for one very unlucky boy.

On a winter's day in a British town, 12-year-old Alex receives a package in the post: an old tin robot from his grandfather. 'This one is special,' says the enclosed note, but when strange events start occurring around him, Alex begins to suspect this small toy is more than special: it might be deadly. Just as things are getting out of hand, Alex's grandfather arrives, whisking him away from his otherwise humdrum life and into a world of strange, macabre magic.

Until recently, Isobel has always loved The Close. A quiet road of large houses tucked away in the beautiful English countryside, it seemed like the perfect place to live. Then, six months ago, a young man was killed in a mysterious hit-and-run incident. The police investigated, but no one was charged, which left a bad feeling in this little community, a feeling that someone knows more than they are saying.

1838, England: When eighteen-year-old Frances Dickinson impulsively marries Lieutenant John Geils, all her hopes for her future are quickly shattered as she finds there is much about her husband she did not know. A cruel and violent man, John keeps Frances in isolation on his family's estate, while spending her fortune and preying upon their maids. Frances yearns to break free from her marriage but the law is not on her side. Only when John's abuse escalates can she set in motion a daring plan to secure her freedom.

Disaster strikes when Nick (a.k.a. Father Christmas) catches the flu just before Christmas day, meaning that it's up to his fun-loving younger brother Harry to save the day in 'Uncle Christmas'. In 'Granny Christmas', Nick and Harry's Granny turns up with her grumpy pet penguin, Percy, causing chaos with her inventions and nearly ruining all the careful preparation the boys have done! Can Granny Christmas prove to her grandsons that her inventions are more helpful than harmful? 

After ten years as a national newspaper journalist, Matt had an experience in Brazil which changed his life. A chance encounter with an 11-year-old girl selling her body on the side of a remote motorway led him into a dark world of exploitation and trafficking few knew existed. Fast-paced and full of drama, corruption, tragedy, set-backs and victories, this is the gripping story of a race against time—to save hundreds of young victims and expose a hidden, unreported scandal.

Casander Darkbloom has no memory, lives outside a curiosity shop, and experiences random surges of uncontrollable energy in his limbs. When he inexplicably brings a stuffed raven to life, he unravels a strange and thrilling magical world. A world waiting for Cas to save it. Cas is the Foretold, the one prophesized to defeat the malevolent Master of All. Under the protection of Wayward School, Cas must learn to master his magical abilities. 

1666. When 11-year-old bookish Gil finds a strange ‘heaven stone' by the Thames, he never thought it would hatch. Or that so soon after the Great Plague, a small fire in London would become a deadly inferno. Soon Gil, his phoenix, and his spiky friend Jennet must cross the burning city, avoid a terrifying mob, and find a place where they can all be safe.

Red is a rare red dragon who lives with his Mag and Dag in a world where dragons and Uprights are sworn enemies. Then Red meets his first Upright, a girl called Lou, who is nothing like he had imagined: she's smart, and funny ... and kind! As the pair become friends, Red learns that not only can the two species live in harmony–but maybe it's his destiny to bring them back together.

The Guardians of Magic disappeared ten years ago, leaving the Kingdom of Thrynne in the icy grip of a powerful sorceress. Most people have fled in desperate search of warmer lands, escaping the Ice Monsters that roam the streets. Meanwhile, young Tiggy Thistle lives hidden and safe with a kindly Badger until the day she meets one of the crafty Stiltskin brothers and she has to run from her happy home. So begins Tiggy's quest to find Zam, Phoebe and Bathsheba—the only people, she believes, who can save Thrynne from the curse of endless winter.

1690. England is in crisis – the new protestant King William III has embarked on wars in France and Ireland, inflation is rampant and the price of corn is causing riots. At Measham Hall, Sir William Hawthorne faces a predicament of his own: his loyal steward has died, and he must find another. His problems appear to have been solved when the charming Mr Goodwyn arrives with a mysterious letter of recommendation and takes up the post. But soon, to the rest of the household's dismay, Goodwyn appears to have both Sir William and the estate dancing to his tune.

A few months ago, Alex’s world changed...forever. Now, just when it seems life is almost getting back to normal, Alex’s grandfather crashes back into the picture with grave news: their friend Harry has fallen into the clutches of a familiar foe, and the old man needs Alex’s help to rescue him. This time, the duo’s desperate dash across Europe leads from Paris deep into Germany’s foreboding Black Forest, as they chase down the mystery Harry had been investigating when he disappeared.

Become a happier person by applying the wisdom of philosophers. What is happiness? What makes you happy? And is there more to life than happiness? Looking at the history of thought, this practical guide will help you answer these questions. Learn to cultivate your taste for pleasure, free yourself from the various disturbances of life and overcome irrational expectations that cause distress. Happiness will help you to go with the flow and rediscover the joy of existence.

When Angela Milligan's close friend, Toni Perry, suddenly vanishes, Angela becomes convinced that something terrible has happened. However, her certainty is met with skepticism—accusations of overreacting and a lack of support from the police only serve to isolate her further.

Harvey is a small boy in a giant world. On stilts. When Harvey accidentally sets fire to his headteacher's trousers, Mum decides it's time for a BIG change. So, she packs him off to Madame Bogbrush's School for Gifted Giants. He'll grunt. He'll clomp. He'll bash things with clubs. But Harvey's not a giant. He's a boy on stilts. And if his classmates find out, they'll stomp him into a sandwich!

If you think monsters don't exist, just ask Theodora Hendrix. The start of a brilliantly funny new series, perfect for fans of Amelia Fang. The first rule of the Monstrous League of Monsters is: keep monsters hidden from humans. But when zombie George and his cat companion Bandit find an abandoned baby, they can't leave her to be eaten by hobgoblins. So they spirit her home where she quickly becomes part of the family....

Lost and scared after a violent storm, Finn and his sister, Aria, take shelter on a remote island. They discover a parcel contains a relic belonging to a long forgotten people. Locked inside are powers which will change their lives, and the world, forever. As Finn realizes his connection to the relic, a vision strikes him - but what does it mean? Who should they trust? And if they decide to follow their hearts rather than their orders, will they manage to deliver the relic in one piece?

For Nicholas Hawthorne, the Catholic heir to Measham Hall in Derbyshire, subterfuge is part of everyday life. But there are deeper and darker secrets even than his family's outlawed religion: why is his father, Sir William, so reclusive? What became of his mother, and his aunt Alethea? And who fatally betrayed his cousin Matthew?

After facing down an evil hag, a thieving skele-crow and an army of the undead, 10-year-old Theodora Hendrix is certain she can handle anything - that is, until she meets the unpleasant Inspector Shelley and her even more unpleasant pet rat. Shelley and Ratsputin have come to spy on the MLM and are determined to make trouble at every turn. Then Theodora makes a discovery of her own: a cursed beetle. She needs to destroy it without attracting the attention of the inspector - and fast.

Alfie Wright? Alfie Wrong, more like. Alfie has never really fit in anywhere–he doesn't have any friends, and even his mum seems embarrassed of him. So when he's evacuated to a farm in rural Devon run by kind old Aunt Bell and her gentle giant of a son, Alfie can't believe his luck. The War seems a long way off, and among the cows and pigs and geese Alfie's happier than he's ever been–especially when he makes friends with one of the local boys, Snidge. But Snidge, for all his friendliness, is not all he appears.