"This is a superb second outing for the little robot girl, Anne Droyd, and her chums (The first installment being "Anne Droyd and Century Lodge"). It's time for a winter holiday and the gang take a coach trip to Whitby where they stay at a peculiar and spooky guesthouse run by an equally peculiar family.

 

Part of the magic of these stories is that every single location used actually exists in real life, and Mr. Hadcroft's descriptions are so complete that it would be a doddle to organize Anne Droyd tours for the kids if you were stuck for something to do over a long weekend.

 

The author has really done his research too. Without giving too much away and spoiling the story, chemicals are mentioned at one point and the information being put across is accurate (very handy if a young reader is going to sit a science exam!) The style of writing has changed slightly from the first book which is completely befitting the subject matter, and now we are familiar with the characters, Will Hadcroft wastes no time throwing them into this new situation and takes us with them on a very pace-driven ride.

This is a much deeper story than the original and has been given a 'no messing' approach. All-in-all this book carries a lot of weight and leaves you champing at the bit to get your hands on the third installment (Anne Droyd and the Ghosts of Winter Hill) which, as I write hasn't even been written yet!

 

There are going to be ten Anne Droyd novels which, if the present offerings are anything to go by, are going to give a certain young wizard a run for his money and, like him, are crying out for a film producer to get his hands upon."

 

Many thanks, Adrian. This is very much appreciated.

 

If anyone else feels moved to give it the thumbs-up on Amazon, please do go ahead!

 

Will H.