Author: StoryBuddiesPlay
Publisher: StoryBuddiesPlay
ISBN:
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 60
Book Description
Elara, the daughter of a spice trader, stumbles upon a deadly conspiracy that ensnares her father and threatens the stability of the empire. Thrust into a world of palace intrigue and hidden dangers, she must fight to expose the truth, even if it means risking her life. Aided by a mysterious informant named Rashid, Elara navigates treacherous landscapes, from the scorching Whispering Dunes to the opulent halls of the Emperor's court. Poisoned and pursued by ruthless assassins, she races against time to gather evidence and expose the Grand Chancellor's plot to manipulate trade routes and destabilize the empire for his own gain. Can Elara, a young woman caught in a web of deceit, outwit a powerful and cunning enemy? Will the Emperor see through the Grand Chancellor's lies before it's too late? This heart-pounding fantasy adventure unfolds with themes of betrayal, loyalty, and the desperate fight for truth in the face of overwhelming odds.
The Spice Trader's Daughter
Author: StoryBuddiesPlay
Publisher: StoryBuddiesPlay
ISBN:
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 60
Book Description
Elara, the daughter of a spice trader, stumbles upon a deadly conspiracy that ensnares her father and threatens the stability of the empire. Thrust into a world of palace intrigue and hidden dangers, she must fight to expose the truth, even if it means risking her life. Aided by a mysterious informant named Rashid, Elara navigates treacherous landscapes, from the scorching Whispering Dunes to the opulent halls of the Emperor's court. Poisoned and pursued by ruthless assassins, she races against time to gather evidence and expose the Grand Chancellor's plot to manipulate trade routes and destabilize the empire for his own gain. Can Elara, a young woman caught in a web of deceit, outwit a powerful and cunning enemy? Will the Emperor see through the Grand Chancellor's lies before it's too late? This heart-pounding fantasy adventure unfolds with themes of betrayal, loyalty, and the desperate fight for truth in the face of overwhelming odds.
Publisher: StoryBuddiesPlay
ISBN:
Category : Architecture
Languages : en
Pages : 60
Book Description
Elara, the daughter of a spice trader, stumbles upon a deadly conspiracy that ensnares her father and threatens the stability of the empire. Thrust into a world of palace intrigue and hidden dangers, she must fight to expose the truth, even if it means risking her life. Aided by a mysterious informant named Rashid, Elara navigates treacherous landscapes, from the scorching Whispering Dunes to the opulent halls of the Emperor's court. Poisoned and pursued by ruthless assassins, she races against time to gather evidence and expose the Grand Chancellor's plot to manipulate trade routes and destabilize the empire for his own gain. Can Elara, a young woman caught in a web of deceit, outwit a powerful and cunning enemy? Will the Emperor see through the Grand Chancellor's lies before it's too late? This heart-pounding fantasy adventure unfolds with themes of betrayal, loyalty, and the desperate fight for truth in the face of overwhelming odds.
The Spice Trader's Daughter
Author: Fran Orenstein
Publisher: Saguaro Books, LLC
ISBN: 0615990622
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 193
Book Description
In 1685, sixteen-year-old Jean-Claude Dubois and his younger brothers escape from the violent terror against the Huguenots in France, sailing to his uncle, a spice trader in Prussia. On the voyage, Jean-Claude falls in love with Marie and they eventually marry and have a daughter, Katy. At thirteen, fluent in French, Katy is sent away to be the companion of spoiled, aristocratic Charlotte, daughter of the margrave of Königsberg to teach her French for her marriage into French nobility. A frightened Katy must accompany her to France, where she meets the blacksmith’s apprentice, Gilles. Their love appears doomed, when the family takes her to Versailles for the wedding. There, Katy meets her father’s enemy, King Louis IV, who charms her. Meanwhile, Charlotte’s dangerous brother, Franz pursues Katy to become his mistress. Although terrified of him, Katy is powerless. Drunk, Franz disgraces the family and the king banishes them from Versailles. Humiliated they return to the Chateau where Katy pledges her betrothal to Gilles. Franz, enraged at Katy’s stubborn refusal, frames Gilles for an attack on the margrave, sending the young couple fleeing for their lives across the French countryside.
Publisher: Saguaro Books, LLC
ISBN: 0615990622
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 193
Book Description
In 1685, sixteen-year-old Jean-Claude Dubois and his younger brothers escape from the violent terror against the Huguenots in France, sailing to his uncle, a spice trader in Prussia. On the voyage, Jean-Claude falls in love with Marie and they eventually marry and have a daughter, Katy. At thirteen, fluent in French, Katy is sent away to be the companion of spoiled, aristocratic Charlotte, daughter of the margrave of Königsberg to teach her French for her marriage into French nobility. A frightened Katy must accompany her to France, where she meets the blacksmith’s apprentice, Gilles. Their love appears doomed, when the family takes her to Versailles for the wedding. There, Katy meets her father’s enemy, King Louis IV, who charms her. Meanwhile, Charlotte’s dangerous brother, Franz pursues Katy to become his mistress. Although terrified of him, Katy is powerless. Drunk, Franz disgraces the family and the king banishes them from Versailles. Humiliated they return to the Chateau where Katy pledges her betrothal to Gilles. Franz, enraged at Katy’s stubborn refusal, frames Gilles for an attack on the margrave, sending the young couple fleeing for their lives across the French countryside.
The Spice Merchant's Daughter
Author: Christina Arokiasamy
Publisher: Clarkson Potter
ISBN: 0307396282
Category : Cookery (Spices)
Languages : en
Pages : 242
Book Description
It was the aroma. The exotic scent of spices: rich, alluring, and almost magical. A scent that would sometimes overpower the freshness in the air and sometimes subtly mingle with it to create a tantalizing bouquet. A scent that would always bring me back to my childhood. Growing up enveloped in the aromas of her mother’s spice stall in Kuala Lumpur, Christina Arokiasamy developed an artist’s sense of how to combine and use spices in traditional and innovative ways. In The Spice Merchant’s Daughter, she shares her family’s spice secrets, expertly guiding and enticing home cooks to enliven their repertoires. Christina weaves evocative stories of cooking at her mother’s side with real-world practical advice gleaned not only from working in professional kitchens but also from tackling the nightly task of getting a home-cooked dinner on the table for her family of four using American ingredients. She shows how easy it is to build layers of complex flavor to create 100 tempting Southeast Asian–inspired recipes, including Lemon Pepper Wings, Spicy Beef Salad, Steamed Snapper with Tamarind-Ginger Sauce, Cardamom Butter Rice with Sultanas, and Coconut Flan Infused with Star Anise. She unlocks the transformative power of homemade spice rubs, curry pastes, and sauces, as well as chutneys and pickles, enabling home cooks to bring new depth and dimension to their favorite dishes. With lush photography and a chapter identifying and defining key pantry ingredients and aromatics, The Spice Merchant’s Daughter both inspires and empowers, awakening the senses and unlocking the alluring world of spices.
Publisher: Clarkson Potter
ISBN: 0307396282
Category : Cookery (Spices)
Languages : en
Pages : 242
Book Description
It was the aroma. The exotic scent of spices: rich, alluring, and almost magical. A scent that would sometimes overpower the freshness in the air and sometimes subtly mingle with it to create a tantalizing bouquet. A scent that would always bring me back to my childhood. Growing up enveloped in the aromas of her mother’s spice stall in Kuala Lumpur, Christina Arokiasamy developed an artist’s sense of how to combine and use spices in traditional and innovative ways. In The Spice Merchant’s Daughter, she shares her family’s spice secrets, expertly guiding and enticing home cooks to enliven their repertoires. Christina weaves evocative stories of cooking at her mother’s side with real-world practical advice gleaned not only from working in professional kitchens but also from tackling the nightly task of getting a home-cooked dinner on the table for her family of four using American ingredients. She shows how easy it is to build layers of complex flavor to create 100 tempting Southeast Asian–inspired recipes, including Lemon Pepper Wings, Spicy Beef Salad, Steamed Snapper with Tamarind-Ginger Sauce, Cardamom Butter Rice with Sultanas, and Coconut Flan Infused with Star Anise. She unlocks the transformative power of homemade spice rubs, curry pastes, and sauces, as well as chutneys and pickles, enabling home cooks to bring new depth and dimension to their favorite dishes. With lush photography and a chapter identifying and defining key pantry ingredients and aromatics, The Spice Merchant’s Daughter both inspires and empowers, awakening the senses and unlocking the alluring world of spices.
Daughters of the Doge
Author: Edward Charles
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
ISBN: 0230756565
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 388
Book Description
Venice, 1556: a wealthy, bustling, multi-cultural city, with a standard of living four times that of anywhere else in Europe. Into this exciting world comes twenty-year-old English protestant Richard Stocker, recovering from the execution of his friend Lady Jane Grey (a friendship recounted in Edward Charles’s debut novel In the Shadow of Lady Jane.) Soon Richard finds himself caught up in the complexities of La Serenissima, and involved with three of the city’s most remarkable women: Faustina Contarini, a nun imprisoned in a convent by her noble family; Yasmeen Ahmed, Muslim clerk and book-keeper to the great artist Tintoretto; and Veronica Franco, artists’ model, courtesan and poet. Each has her own story to tell, but they have one thing in common: they are all daughters of the Doge, held captive by the contradictory laws and regulations of this teeming city. This is a thrilling account of a young man’s transformation, as he discovers love, faith and deception in a colourfully evoked Renaissance Venice.
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
ISBN: 0230756565
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 388
Book Description
Venice, 1556: a wealthy, bustling, multi-cultural city, with a standard of living four times that of anywhere else in Europe. Into this exciting world comes twenty-year-old English protestant Richard Stocker, recovering from the execution of his friend Lady Jane Grey (a friendship recounted in Edward Charles’s debut novel In the Shadow of Lady Jane.) Soon Richard finds himself caught up in the complexities of La Serenissima, and involved with three of the city’s most remarkable women: Faustina Contarini, a nun imprisoned in a convent by her noble family; Yasmeen Ahmed, Muslim clerk and book-keeper to the great artist Tintoretto; and Veronica Franco, artists’ model, courtesan and poet. Each has her own story to tell, but they have one thing in common: they are all daughters of the Doge, held captive by the contradictory laws and regulations of this teeming city. This is a thrilling account of a young man’s transformation, as he discovers love, faith and deception in a colourfully evoked Renaissance Venice.
Daughters of the Nile
Author: Stephanie Dray
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 042525836X
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 578
Book Description
New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Dray’s historical fiction series comes to a stunning conclusion as the daughter of Cleopatra risks everything to revive her dynasty. After years of abuse as the emperor’s captive in Rome, Cleopatra Selene is now a powerful queen, ruling over the exotic kingdom of Mauretania with her husband, King Juba II, by her side. But when a jealous Augustus Caesar demands that her children be given over to him to be fostered in Rome, Selene is drawn back into the web of imperial plots and intrigues that she vowed to leave behind... Determined and resourceful, Selene must shield her loved ones from the emperor’s wrath, all while vying with ruthless rivals like King Herod. But unless she can find a way to overcome the threat to her marriage, kingdom, family, and faith, Selene may very well be the last of her line...
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 042525836X
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 578
Book Description
New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Dray’s historical fiction series comes to a stunning conclusion as the daughter of Cleopatra risks everything to revive her dynasty. After years of abuse as the emperor’s captive in Rome, Cleopatra Selene is now a powerful queen, ruling over the exotic kingdom of Mauretania with her husband, King Juba II, by her side. But when a jealous Augustus Caesar demands that her children be given over to him to be fostered in Rome, Selene is drawn back into the web of imperial plots and intrigues that she vowed to leave behind... Determined and resourceful, Selene must shield her loved ones from the emperor’s wrath, all while vying with ruthless rivals like King Herod. But unless she can find a way to overcome the threat to her marriage, kingdom, family, and faith, Selene may very well be the last of her line...
Warrior
Author: Jennifer Fallon
Publisher: Macmillan
ISBN: 0765309904
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 509
Book Description
Now the power behind Hythria's throne, Marla Wolfblade is determined to control her own life and to protect her young son, Damin, unaware that the High Arrion of the Sorcerers' Collective is plotting to destroy her and the entire Wolfblade dynasty.
Publisher: Macmillan
ISBN: 0765309904
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 509
Book Description
Now the power behind Hythria's throne, Marla Wolfblade is determined to control her own life and to protect her young son, Damin, unaware that the High Arrion of the Sorcerers' Collective is plotting to destroy her and the entire Wolfblade dynasty.
The Spice Market's Symphony
Author: StoryBuddiesPlay
Publisher: StoryBuddiesPlay
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 113
Book Description
The Spice Market's Symphony Dive into the captivating world of "The Spice Merchant's Daughter," a gripping historical fiction novel set in the vibrant spice markets of 17th-century Alexandria. Follow the harrowing journey of a young woman from a wealthy merchant family whose life is shattered when her father is falsely accused of treason. As she is forced into hiding, she discovers a clandestine network of traders and spies working to undermine the Ottoman Empire's stranglehold on the spice trade. With danger lurking at every turn, she forms an unlikely alliance with a renegade Ottoman captain whose own motives are shrouded in mystery. This thrilling novel weaves together themes of betrayal, bravery, and intrigue against the backdrop of a richly detailed historical setting. Perfect for fans of historical fiction and suspense, "The Spice Merchant's Daughter" offers a riveting tale of resilience and the fight for justice. historical fiction, 17th-century Alexandria, Ottoman Empire, spice trade conspiracy, historical thriller, young woman protagonist, historical mystery, Alexandria spice markets, espionage novel, betrayal and justice
Publisher: StoryBuddiesPlay
ISBN:
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 113
Book Description
The Spice Market's Symphony Dive into the captivating world of "The Spice Merchant's Daughter," a gripping historical fiction novel set in the vibrant spice markets of 17th-century Alexandria. Follow the harrowing journey of a young woman from a wealthy merchant family whose life is shattered when her father is falsely accused of treason. As she is forced into hiding, she discovers a clandestine network of traders and spies working to undermine the Ottoman Empire's stranglehold on the spice trade. With danger lurking at every turn, she forms an unlikely alliance with a renegade Ottoman captain whose own motives are shrouded in mystery. This thrilling novel weaves together themes of betrayal, bravery, and intrigue against the backdrop of a richly detailed historical setting. Perfect for fans of historical fiction and suspense, "The Spice Merchant's Daughter" offers a riveting tale of resilience and the fight for justice. historical fiction, 17th-century Alexandria, Ottoman Empire, spice trade conspiracy, historical thriller, young woman protagonist, historical mystery, Alexandria spice markets, espionage novel, betrayal and justice
Mystery of the Stolen Painting
Author: Fran Orenstein
Publisher: Saguaro Books, LLC
ISBN: 1516827112
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 160
Book Description
Meet Danny West, a talented young artist who has trouble reading, especially aloud when he starts to stammer. Kids laugh at him, and bullies sometimes beat him up after school, so he has to cut through the desert to get home. Danny’s dad was a police detective who died trying to stop a robbery at an art gallery. Danny was only two-year-old, but nobody will talk about it. There is the art teacher, Mr. Lewis who has his own secrets and may be more than just a middle-school art teacher, but he won’t talk about it. Danny’s best friend forever is Amy Crowe who thinks he’s great and tries to help him read. Then one day Huby as in red ruby, appears in Danny’s yard. Is Mr. Lewis linked to the art gallery robbery where Danny’s father died? Danny, Amy and Huby set out to solve the mystery of the stolen painting and Danny’s father’s death.
Publisher: Saguaro Books, LLC
ISBN: 1516827112
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 160
Book Description
Meet Danny West, a talented young artist who has trouble reading, especially aloud when he starts to stammer. Kids laugh at him, and bullies sometimes beat him up after school, so he has to cut through the desert to get home. Danny’s dad was a police detective who died trying to stop a robbery at an art gallery. Danny was only two-year-old, but nobody will talk about it. There is the art teacher, Mr. Lewis who has his own secrets and may be more than just a middle-school art teacher, but he won’t talk about it. Danny’s best friend forever is Amy Crowe who thinks he’s great and tries to help him read. Then one day Huby as in red ruby, appears in Danny’s yard. Is Mr. Lewis linked to the art gallery robbery where Danny’s father died? Danny, Amy and Huby set out to solve the mystery of the stolen painting and Danny’s father’s death.
The Company Daughters
Author: Samantha Rajaram
Publisher: Bookouture
ISBN: 1800191758
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 386
Book Description
‘Blew my mind… so magically written and most of all that it is based on true events… a hard-hitting, soul-crushing book… I loved every moment of it… immersive, heart-wrenching, I feel emotional writing this review.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars Wanted: Company Daughters. Virtuous young ladies to become the brides of industrious settlers in a foreign land. The Company will pay the cost of the lady’s dowry and travel. Returns not permitted, orphans preferred. Amsterdam, 1620. Jana Beil has learned that life rarely provides moments of joy. Having run away from a violent father, her days are spent searching for work in an effort to stay out of the city brothels, where desperate women trade their bodies for a mouthful of bread. But when Jana is hired as a servant for the wealthy and kind Master Reynst and his beautiful daughter Sontje, Jana’s future begins to look brighter. Then Master Reynst loses his fortune on a bad investment, and everything changes. The house is sold to creditors, leaving Jana back on the street and Sontje without a future. With no other choice, Jana and Sontje are forced to sign with the East India Company as Company Daughters: sailing to a colonial Dutch outpost to become the brides of male settlers they know nothing about. With fear in their hearts, the girls begin their journey – but what awaits them on the other side of the world is nothing like what they’ve been promised… Based on true history, this is a gripping and unputdownable historical novel, perfect for fans of Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Miniaturist and The Indigo Girl. WINNER OF THE 2021 GOLDEN CROWN LITERARY SOCIETY AWARD FOR DEBUT FICTION. FINALIST FOR THE 2021 BISEXUAL BOOK AWARDS. LONGLISTED FOR THE 2021 HWA DEBUT CROWN AWARD. What readers are saying about The Company Daughters: ‘Blew my mind… a book I've told so many people about purely because I'm still in disbelief that it exists, that it's so magically written and most of all that it is based on true events… a hard-hitting, soul-crushing book of a woman's struggle to survive… I loved every moment of it. Breathlessly, and in a way that took up my entire brain… immersive, heart-wrenching, and I feel emotional writing this review.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘From the moment I started reading The Company Daughters, I was captivated by this historical tale. Although it does contain a love story, it's not a romance…This was a gripping read.’ Goodreads reviewer ‘This book is so stunningly tender and beautiful, all mixed in with some seriously tragic and heart-wrenching events… Rajaram is an extremely skilled writer, and I love her writing style… The themes of sisterhood and female love were so present in this book and I found it very moving.’ Goodreads reviewer ‘I was enchanted by this book! It’s a delightful read that will have your emotions all over the place.’ Goodreads reviewer ‘I love historical fiction, and this book touched on a topic and time I knew nearly nothing about…There’s love, there’s loss, there’s surviving, there’s thriving… It was a very beautiful book.’ Goodreads reviewer ‘The Company Daughters is a beautifully written love story… a perfect example of the power of human will and the endurance and hope that love can give a person.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘This book has a beauty and grace to it. The author’s writing just flows off the page, and although there are struggles and upsets by the time you close the book over you are filled with a warm glow.’ Goodreads reviewer ‘A powerful and insightful read. I look forward to reading more historical work by Samantha Rajaram!’ Goodreads reviewer ‘Heartbreaking… a moving book… vivid, with amazing characters… This is a great read.’ Goodreads reviewer
Publisher: Bookouture
ISBN: 1800191758
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 386
Book Description
‘Blew my mind… so magically written and most of all that it is based on true events… a hard-hitting, soul-crushing book… I loved every moment of it… immersive, heart-wrenching, I feel emotional writing this review.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars Wanted: Company Daughters. Virtuous young ladies to become the brides of industrious settlers in a foreign land. The Company will pay the cost of the lady’s dowry and travel. Returns not permitted, orphans preferred. Amsterdam, 1620. Jana Beil has learned that life rarely provides moments of joy. Having run away from a violent father, her days are spent searching for work in an effort to stay out of the city brothels, where desperate women trade their bodies for a mouthful of bread. But when Jana is hired as a servant for the wealthy and kind Master Reynst and his beautiful daughter Sontje, Jana’s future begins to look brighter. Then Master Reynst loses his fortune on a bad investment, and everything changes. The house is sold to creditors, leaving Jana back on the street and Sontje without a future. With no other choice, Jana and Sontje are forced to sign with the East India Company as Company Daughters: sailing to a colonial Dutch outpost to become the brides of male settlers they know nothing about. With fear in their hearts, the girls begin their journey – but what awaits them on the other side of the world is nothing like what they’ve been promised… Based on true history, this is a gripping and unputdownable historical novel, perfect for fans of Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Miniaturist and The Indigo Girl. WINNER OF THE 2021 GOLDEN CROWN LITERARY SOCIETY AWARD FOR DEBUT FICTION. FINALIST FOR THE 2021 BISEXUAL BOOK AWARDS. LONGLISTED FOR THE 2021 HWA DEBUT CROWN AWARD. What readers are saying about The Company Daughters: ‘Blew my mind… a book I've told so many people about purely because I'm still in disbelief that it exists, that it's so magically written and most of all that it is based on true events… a hard-hitting, soul-crushing book of a woman's struggle to survive… I loved every moment of it. Breathlessly, and in a way that took up my entire brain… immersive, heart-wrenching, and I feel emotional writing this review.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘From the moment I started reading The Company Daughters, I was captivated by this historical tale. Although it does contain a love story, it's not a romance…This was a gripping read.’ Goodreads reviewer ‘This book is so stunningly tender and beautiful, all mixed in with some seriously tragic and heart-wrenching events… Rajaram is an extremely skilled writer, and I love her writing style… The themes of sisterhood and female love were so present in this book and I found it very moving.’ Goodreads reviewer ‘I was enchanted by this book! It’s a delightful read that will have your emotions all over the place.’ Goodreads reviewer ‘I love historical fiction, and this book touched on a topic and time I knew nearly nothing about…There’s love, there’s loss, there’s surviving, there’s thriving… It was a very beautiful book.’ Goodreads reviewer ‘The Company Daughters is a beautifully written love story… a perfect example of the power of human will and the endurance and hope that love can give a person.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars ‘This book has a beauty and grace to it. The author’s writing just flows off the page, and although there are struggles and upsets by the time you close the book over you are filled with a warm glow.’ Goodreads reviewer ‘A powerful and insightful read. I look forward to reading more historical work by Samantha Rajaram!’ Goodreads reviewer ‘Heartbreaking… a moving book… vivid, with amazing characters… This is a great read.’ Goodreads reviewer
Mystery in Gram's Attic
Author: Fran Orenstein
Publisher: Saguaro Books, LLC
ISBN: 1548275468
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 257
Book Description
A mysterious lost land deed and a missing map hidden somewhere in Grandma’s attic can save Ellen and Troy Baron. The twelve-year-old twins live with their mother in a falling-down house with no hot water or a working toilet, and most nights they all go to bed hungry and dirty. Troy is bullied by the boys in gym and Ellen faces the “snoots” every day, girls who make fun of her. Their father may be hiding from the police and their grandmother who can help them can’t get in touch because they don’t have a telephone. Their mother has Cerebral Palsy and walks with a jerky limp, but everyone thinks she is drunk. Ellen and Troy are afraid something will happen to her and they will be alone with no-one to help them. Huby returns to Arizona in book four of The Shadow Boy Mysteries in his hardest quest yet, to save the twins and their family before it’s too late.
Publisher: Saguaro Books, LLC
ISBN: 1548275468
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 257
Book Description
A mysterious lost land deed and a missing map hidden somewhere in Grandma’s attic can save Ellen and Troy Baron. The twelve-year-old twins live with their mother in a falling-down house with no hot water or a working toilet, and most nights they all go to bed hungry and dirty. Troy is bullied by the boys in gym and Ellen faces the “snoots” every day, girls who make fun of her. Their father may be hiding from the police and their grandmother who can help them can’t get in touch because they don’t have a telephone. Their mother has Cerebral Palsy and walks with a jerky limp, but everyone thinks she is drunk. Ellen and Troy are afraid something will happen to her and they will be alone with no-one to help them. Huby returns to Arizona in book four of The Shadow Boy Mysteries in his hardest quest yet, to save the twins and their family before it’s too late.