The Children of Castle Rock: Costa Award-Winning Author

Like many girls, Alice Mistlethwaite idolises her father, Byron. He is a hero: brave, kind and impossibly funny. It’s just a shame that he’s always in and out of prison…

After a particularly naughty outing, Alice’s Aunt Patience decides to take action. Alice is to be sent to St Cuthbert’s School for Winners - where competition runs deep, and being ‘outdoorsy’ is not optional. Much to her own surprise, Alice fits in far better than she ever has before, swiftly making friends and enjoying running wild in the Scottish countryside. But then Byron disappears - or rather his letters stop - and Alice becomes convinced something has happened to him. Aunt Patience is much less sure (and worse, seems to think he has something to do with a robbery that’s making the news), but Alice is undeterred.

 Armed with her new friends, and a handy opportunity to escape from school, she sets off on an epic quest to find her father, prove everyone wrong about him - and perhaps discover some home truths about herself and her family along the way. Both hilarious and heartfelt, this is a classic adventure story brought bang up to date, and told in Natasha’s inimitably perfect voice.