A BIT ABOUT ME
Mystery of the Night Watchers
Blackwell's children's book of the month July 2021
"Another superb historical adventure by A.M. Howell… An Edwardian mystery with a refreshingly modern feel" The Daily Telegraph, August 2021
MAY, 1910
As the blazing Halley’s comet draws close to the earth, Nancy is uprooted to start a new life in Suffolk with a grandfather she has never met. With every curtain drawn shut, Nancy is forbidden from leaving her grandfather’s house: no one must know that she or her mother are there.
Yet, when Nancy discovers the house’s secret observatory, she watches her mother and grandfather creep out every night... Where are they going? And why mustn’t any of them be seen? As the mysteries pile up, Nancy must bring dark secrets from the past to light – even if doing so will put her own life at risk.
The Secret of the Treasure Keepers
February 1948.
Ruth has been whisked off to the lonely Rook Farm to investigate the discovery of long-buried treasure with her mother. But at the farmhouse, she finds secrets lurk around every corner. Joe, the farmer's son, is hiding something about the treasure, while land girl Audrey watches their every move.
But before Ruth can find out more, the treasure is stolen... With a storm coming, Ruth must race to uncover the secrets of the treasure keepers before all of their lives are changed forever.
MY DEBUT MIDDLE GRADE NOVEL
THE GARDEN OF LOST SECRETS
IS BEING PUBLISHED BY USBORNE ON 13 JUNE 2019.
It is 1916 and twelve-year-old Clara’s father has gone to Devon to recover from gas poisoning. Clara, and the terrible secret she keeps hidden in her pinafore pocket, are sent to stay with her formidable aunt and uncle at Gardener’s Cottage in the grounds of a country estate.
Clara soon discovers that her new surroundings hold secrets of their own: a locked room and a hidden key, a mysterious boy who only appears in the gardens at night, covert meetings on misty mornings, and a fruit thief who is stealing precious pineapples from the Earl’s exotic hothouses.
But for Clara to unravel the garden’s secrets, she will have to face up to a truth she can’t bring herself to acknowledge and a war she’s desperate to forget.
The Garden of Lost Secrets is now available to pre-order at Waterstones and Amazon by clicking on the buttons below.
"Stunningly atmospheric"
Polly Ho-Yen, author of
The Boy in the Tower
MY DEBUT MIDDLE GRADE NOVEL THE GARDEN OF LOST SECRETS
IS OUT NOW.
It is 1916 and twelve-year-old Clara’s father has gone to Devon to recover from gas poisoning. Clara, and the terrible secret she keeps hidden in her pinafore pocket, are sent to stay with her formidable aunt and uncle at Gardener’s Cottage in the grounds of a country estate.
Clara soon discovers that her new surroundings hold secrets of their own: a locked room and a hidden key, a mysterious boy who only appears in the gardens at night, covert meetings on misty mornings, and a fruit thief who is stealing precious pineapples from the Earl’s exotic hothouses.
But for Clara to unravel the garden’s secrets, she will have to face up to a truth she can’t bring herself to acknowledge and a war she’s desperate to forget.
The Garden of Lost Secrets is now available to pre-order at Waterstones and Amazon by clicking on the buttons below.
"a debut...crammed with mystery and secrets against the backdrop of war"
The Bookseller
The Independent, 15 June 2019
"Atmospheric, full of period detail
and, most importantly, thrilling."
The Telegraph, 15 June 2019
"A new gem of First World War fiction…a deftly plotted mystery…a touching story about courage and friendship."
The Garden of Lost Secrets
It is 1916 and twelve-year-old Clara’s father has gone to Devon to recover from gas poisoning. Clara, and the terrible secret she keeps hidden in her pinafore pocket, are sent to stay with her formidable aunt and uncle at Gardener’s Cottage in the grounds of a country estate.
Clara soon discovers that her new surroundings hold secrets of their own: a locked room and a hidden key, a mysterious boy who only appears in the gardens at night, covert meetings on misty mornings, and a fruit thief who is stealing precious pineapples from the Earl’s exotic hothouses.
But for Clara to unravel the garden’s secrets, she will have to face up to a truth she can’t bring herself to acknowledge and a war she’s desperate to forget.
The Garden of Lost Secrets is available at Waterstones and Amazon by clicking on the buttons below.
Winner of of the Mal Peet Children's Award and East Anglian Book of the Year 2020
The House of One Hundred Clocks
JUNE, 1905.
Helena and her parrot, Orbit, are swept off to Cambridge when her father is appointed clock-winder to one of the wealthiest men in England. There is only one rule: the clocks must never stop.
But Helena discovers the house of one hundred clocks holds many mysteries; a ghostly figure, strange notes and disappearing winding keys… Can she work out its secrets before time runs out?
The House of One Hundred Clocks is available at Waterstones and Amazon by clicking on the buttons below.
"Howell is a hypnotically readable writer, who keeps the pulse racing, while allowing every character slowly to unravel." The Telegraph
In 2015 I was one of 15 writers selected to take part in a Curtis Brown Creative Writing for Children course tutored by Catherine Johnson. My books have been nominated for a number of awards and The House of One Hundred Clocks won The Mal Peet Children's Award and The East Anglian Book of the Year 2020. Mystery of the Night Watchers was selected as Blackwell's children's book of the month for July 2021.
I live in Suffolk with my husband and two children and when I'm not writing I love nothing more than curling up with a good book. My favourite children's authors include Katherine Rundell, Katherine Woodfine, Lesley Parr and Lucy Strange. I also love long walks in the countryside, swimming and drinking lots of tea!
I am on Twitter and Instagram as @amhowellwrites if you would like to get in touch - or please contact me using the form below.
For any book related queries please contact my agent Clare Wallace at The Darley Anderson Children's Book Agency www.darleyandersonchildrens.com