"The Lion of Sole Bay", just published, is the latest novel from Julia Jones, author of the Ransome-inspired Strong Winds Trilogy. 

It is a standalone story focusing on Luke, Anna's half-brother from the trilogy. He is expecting a half-term week with his dad Bill, aboard Bill's liveaboard fishing boat, but things soon go very wrong, and Luke finds himself involved in a web of intrigue and plot, all related to a sea-battle that took place off the nearby coast 300 years ago.

It is also Hallowe'en, which lends the whole situation a spooky atmosphere. But some of the shenanegans are real, especially the plot to steal the ship's figurehead which has ended up as the sign on the nearby pub. It leads Luke and his new friend Angel into real danger out in the North Sea.

This is a taut and beautifully told tale that will not disappoint Julia Jones's many fans, and as usualis beautifully embellished by illustrator Claudia Myatt.

And you can now buy it here from us, for £7.99, (plus U.K. postage and packing of £2.00).