Deep below High Manners Manor a skeleton family hold the key to a very explosive secret ...

Billy Bones and his parents live in a very dark closet where they guard the secrets of the rather hideous Biglum family. Billy however is craving to know more about the excitement of the big wide world ...

When Millicent, a very curious orphan, comes to stay at High Manner Manor and Billy steps out of the shadows, they each make a new friend. Both children have a thirst for adventure, one that quickly leads them to uncover the Biglum’s biggest secret. BUT is it just the Biglum’s who have something to hide or will Billy uncover truths about his own past? Millicent has a special gift - she can see ghosts and other visitors from the afterlife. Billy is one of these, a skeleton, and as soon as she overcomes her initial shock at seeing him they become firm friends.

 Billy helps her with the household chores that the ferocious Miss Primley and chef set her. In return they enjoy the run of the house and the company of Dame Biglum - whoc ould be crazy or very astute! Sir Biglum, the master of the house is a distant, greedy character and the many visitors from the Afterlife populate almost every page of the story. The enthusiasm with which the story is related, its humour, imagination and pace make it a fabulous read.

Christopher Lincoln’s accessible adventure-cum- horror story is unusual and certainly fills an unexpected gap in children’s literature. The story of Billy Bones combines mild horror, ghost stories, humour and adventure. Lincoln’s writing is lively, straightforward and compelling. The story is unique, combining the concept of skeletons in the closet and a person’s deepest secrets, with the innocence and intelligence of children.

Younger readers may not fully understand the implications but they will enjoy the adventure. With entertaining chapter headings, delicately illustrated, creating a special additional touch this is a wonderful story that I highly enjoyed and I for one am looking forward to the next story!

2008-05-26