Daniel Jones wanted no more trouble – he already had plenty. Living alone with his father was far from easy, and the weekend visits with his now-attentive mother and her new husband were almost more than the fifteen-year-old could bear.
But then, one night, he and his father are stranded during a snowstorm and are offered refuge by a kind family at the Everton farm. Daniel is mystified by the strange goings-on there and, though reluctant at first, becomes deeply involved in the Evertons’ problems and discovers that their long kept secret was more disturbing than his own.
In this suspenseful adventure, a young boy realises that there are few simple rights and wrongs in love and family ties.
Catherine Cookson was born in Tyne Dock, the illegitimate daughter of a poverty-stricken woman, Kate, who Catherine believed was her older sister. Catherine began work in service but eventually moved south to Hastings, where she met and married Tom Cookson, a local grammar-school master.
Although she was originally acclaimed as a regional writer - her novel The Round Tower won the Winifred Holtby Award for the best regional novel of 1968 - her readership quickly spread throughout the world, and her many best-selling novels established her as one of the most popular contemporary woman novelist. She received an OBE in 1985, was created a Dame of the British Empire in 1993, and was appointed an Honorary Fellow of St Hilda's College, Oxford, in 1997.
For many years she lived near Newcastle upon Tyne.
Lanky Jones is both a funny and serious book! It’s fantastic!
Daniel Jones is having a hard time. His mother has left his dad for a richer guy and he is currently living with his Dad. On their way home, they break down and can’t get the car started. This is when Mary, Michael and Sally invite them to stay with them for the night 🌑
During the night, Daniel hears a scary noise of screaming coming from upstairs. He is worried as no one should be upstairs at this moment in time 🛌
Daniel decides to stay with Mary and her family for a little while. He becomes quite close to her children, Michael and Sally. This is when, Michael is revealed to be adopted and they all fight the other farmer! 👨🌾
Daniel doesn’t want to go and stay with his mother for a few days so he runs away. During this time, Sally goes to look for him. When she does, she finds him tied up by the other Farmer and gets kidnapped as well! 🚙
However, Sally escapes! But she has a a epileptic seizure and is unable to tell her family and Daniel’s Dad what has happened. Meanwhile, Daniel is put onto a boat and meets Jackie who is the same age as him. They decide to try and escape 🚣♂️
When the escape goes wrong, they are chucked up the decks! Luckily, Daniel’s dad and Mary find them. The Farmer is then arrested and Daniel goes to his mother with Sally, accepting her new relationship. 💕
This story was really heartwarming and nice to read! The setting was lovely and I appreciate how well written it was. My only problem is the selling point of Lanky Jones. They made out the screams were like a nightmare, but it wasn’t. However, it was a really good book. 📚
I have been buying all the Catherine Cookson books I can find as those that I have read I want to re-read. I have never actually heard of this book before finding it in a charity shop as it isn't her usual storyline. I did enjoy it but found it quite different as it was set in the 1980's. I would recommend it is worth a read.
Daniel Jones wanted no more trouble – he already had plenty. Living alone with his father was far from easy, and the weekend visits with his now-attentive mother and her new husband were almost more than the fifteen-year-old could bear.
But then, one night, he and his father are stranded during a snowstorm and are offered refuge by a kind family at the Everton farm. Daniel is mystified by the strange goings-on there and, though reluctant at first, becomes deeply involved in the Evertons’ problems and discovers that their long kept secret was more disturbing than his own.
In this suspenseful adventure, a young boy realises that there are few simple rights and wrongs in love and family ties.