Mandrake's Plot

[Helen]

If you would like to read the first chapter of Mandrake's Plot, you can find it here:

https://www.goodreads.com/story/show/...

[Helen]

DAY 3 of the promotion to get a FREE Kindle edition of Mandrake's Plot, a children's mystery.



UK link: http://tinyurl.com/j87nw9h
US link: http://tinyurl.com/zuqzl5l

Here's an extract to get you excited!

'This must be an old entrance. This gate is so stiff it can't have been used for years,' said Evie, squeezing through the small gap she had made. 'The bush is stopping it from opening properly.'

The girls climbed through, holding the branches apart for each other, and walked slowly towards the back of the great building. As they headed around the side of it nearest to them, it seemed that it was sitting in the clouds. In front of the school was a large gravelled area, but beyond that was a drop, it seemed, and presumably a road leading from the front entrance to a main road below.

'That's the way we should have come,' said Evie.

'We'd never have found that way in tonight,' whispered Mia. She didn't know why she was whispering. It just seemed necessary. The rain had stopped now, but the air was damp and had made their faces wet and sore.

The girls made their way up the great stone steps to two enormous doors, flanked by gargoyles and lit by a swinging lantern and Evie, being the taller of the two, pulled the bell. The girls looked at each other with trepidation.

'Here goes,' said Evie, twisting her head round to check the back of her tights.

Keys jangled on the other side of the door, bolts slid and the handle turned. Slowly and creakily the door began to open, and as the gap widened the girls' hearts beat faster. Their eyes fixed upon the broadening band of light which was punched out with a black silhouette. No longer were they aware of the background sound of the swirling wind. Their senses were now invaded by the much closer sound of rasping breath.

As their eyes became accustomed to the light the girls were startled to see the figure in front of them. Hunched over, wearing a dark cloak, was an old man. His long, white hair straggled over his shoulders, his skin was covered with grey whiskers and his one of his eyes, hooded, drooped below the other bulging one. His mouth hung open and his yellowed teeth did nothing to stop his rank breath pervading the air. Around his waist was a wide leather belt from which dangled a huge silver ring. From this, hung a mass of keys, some of which were enormous.

Evie coughed. 'Good evening. We're new pupils of St. Agatha's . . .'

'. . . just starting today,' added Mia as fear dried up Evie's throat.

The man said nothing. He stepped back and beckoned in the girls with a gnarled finger. His nails were thick and yellow.

[Helen]

It's September, and time to go back to school... but maybe not to this one.

Mandrake's Plot is #FREE until tomorrow.



UK LINK: http://tinyurl.com/j87nw9h
US LINK: http://tinyurl.com/zuqzl5l

#mgfiction #childrensbooks

Here's another enticing snippet:

It was eerily quiet on the loch. The water lapped softly against the boat and the rain pattered almost inaudibly upon them. The rhythm was quite soothing and helped to calm their anxiety. Above them, bats swooped and circled. As they emerged through the gap between the rocks into the second loch, the girls dropped the oars for a moment.
‘Let me just see if I can see the lights of the school from here,’ said Evie, holding up the binoculars. ‘No, it’s too misty. Let’s keep going.’
Half an hour later, they stopped for a warm cup of hot chocolate and a snack in the rain. It gave them strength and warmed their hands, which, despite wearing gloves, were icy cold.
‘Look again now, Evie,’ said Mia, draining her cup. ‘Can you see the school?’
There was a sharp intake of breath from Evie as she held the binoculars to her eyes.
‘What is it?’ Mia could sense Evie’s unease.
‘We’re on track,’ answered Evie, breathlessly. ‘I can see the school, but there are lights on in that little cottage, too.’
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you're a fan of school stories, then this original tale may be just what you're looking for. It's got a host of intriguing characters, a boarding school with a mysterious history and a dangerous situation from which Evie and Mia must escape. Everyone who has read it has enjoyed it. I hope you will too! If you like Mallory Towers or The Twins at St. Claire's, but with a touch of the Harry Potter, then this is the book for you!