About The Secret of Avenfore: William the Kingfisher:
The classic adventure you have been waiting for
Fourteen year old William Howbbler travels to Avenfore for the first time since the mysterious incident ten years previously which caused his father to move the family to the city. It is a mixed blessing for William, he will be separated from his family for the first time in his life, but he will be staying with his aunt and uncle in Avenfore, the only place he truly calls home. And, in the autumn, he’ll be attending St Elm’s, one of the most prestigious schools in the country. When he delivers a letter to his father’s old friend, Abelard Greewoof, he discovers why his father had had to leave town.
Reunited with his cousin, Elsie Harckwell, and her friends, Bridget Durffan and Bridget’s older brother, Chris, William settles into Avenfore. But soon William realises that his life is in danger and all the happiness for having returned to his dreamed home town, turns into fear.
When William visits the local big house, Ravenwood Castle, he meets Amaranta Bonclane a girl with a shadowy past. Amaranta quickly becomes part of William’s group of friends, but she confides to William that she too has a secret.
William and Amaranta find themselves caught up in a dangerous struggle with an evil man, Ignatius Nosmorum – the Wicked Crow, as they seek to find a coded book of secrets missing for the past four centuries. Amaranta proves quite daring. She persuades the two boys to investigate a derelict fairground, where they have to fight with an unexpected enemy.
Amaranta has left for London. William, Chris and Abelard, travel to London to try to prevent another kidnap attempt which they believe will take place at the Royal Opera House. Sure enough, the Wicked Crow and his spy try to spirit Amaranta away. William confronts the Wicked Crow and he chases William through the streets of London.
Back in Avenfore, William, Amaranta and Chris follow the clues left by Mr Seblean trying to find the Book of Knights Templar Errant.
The Secret of Avenfore: William the Kingfisher is a book for young readers looking for a captivating story with characters that feel just like them, a passionate world full of mystery, adventure, spies, intrigue, secrets and fun. Where danger is fought with bravery, problems with friendship, fear with fortitude, mistakes with amendment, sorrow with love.
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Author Bio:
Santiago Ros writes for young readers. He comes from a family of writers, journalists, teachers and translators. His father, who was a journalist, would write articles on his old typewriter. Santiago grew up with the nostalgic sound of the banging of the keys and from a very young age he knew he wanted to be a writer. As a student, he got a summer job at the Franciscan Brothers’ printing house. It was the friars who taught him the craft of a printing press. Then, as an adult and with the acquired knowledge, he continued to work in different printing houses. Undoubtedly, the world of paper, ink and glue with their characteristic smell, also marked his desire to write. His years in the local cathedral choir were also crucial to his education. Mattheu, who inspired one of the characters in his book, was the master organist and taught them both Latin and music. It could be said that those happy years in the choir were an important and influential part at the time of writing. “We had the cathedral to ourselves; we ran through the long, lonely aisles lit only by the rays coming through the beautiful, colourful stained-glass windows. It was as if the saints from their pedestals looked down on us as we passed, while forgiving us for our mischief with their immense kindness.”
History and art also inspired him and after finishing his studies he lived in different countries. However, Ireland was the country with which he most identified and ever since he met his Irish wife, he regularly travels to Ireland. Over the years, while discovering beautiful Ireland, he developed a deep interest in Irish folklore and its ancient traditions. He spent a lot of time exploring places of interest, old castles and ruins to learn about their history and legends. Whenever he had the opportunity, he also visited fairs and antique shops. He is fascinated by antiques and they have been his greatest source of inspiration for his writing. Each ancient object has a story behind it. He has written dozens of short stories from all the notes that he has collected over the years. These stories are about druids, knights, castles and forests. All those exciting stories came in handy when his daughter was born. For many years, at bedtime he would relate a different one. Writing this adventure book has been an incredibly satisfying experience for him. From beginning to end, the characters took on a life of their own, the writer in this case was just a mere narrator.