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Amanda Cadabra and The Fatal Flower

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Amanda Cadabra and The Fatal Flower

It came quietly at first. To 5,000 words, and sat quietly while I edited and released the third audiobook. And then … it swept me up and along. Was it like riding a dragon or the dragon riding me? In the end I decided it was like the Na’vi in the film Avatar, who would attach the end of their plait to the tendril on the head of the ‘banshee’ creating a link of mind and spirit. And sure enough, the story and I rode the wind as with no other book before it.

I had the present-day half of the plot to some extent, but what of the the back-in-time connection? That came to me, apparently by chance, on a visit to a local Victorian pub, a question about its history, and suddenly, the crucial past element of the book bloomed into life. The book came to my fingers and pencil more and more rapidly. As I gathered material, I knew it was time to start collating and building the book. And that was when I made a discovery: this story began at Hallowe’en. Not that it is a conventional Hallowe’en story, but let’s just say it plays a part!

For the tale opens just before that crucial sunset and a discovery that will draw Amanda Cadabra back into the past to face peril both there and in the present. She is, as ever, aided and subtly abetted by her magical companion. She hopes. Any among the seven suspects could be responsible for ‘the Hallowe’en murders’? If only Amanda and Detective Inspector Thomas Trelawney had time to apply normal methods to work the case. However, time is no longer on their side. Drastic measures are called for. But will they succeed?

Indeed, here is Amanda Cadabra and The Fatal Flower to entertain and intrigue you. All of your favourite village characters make an appearance, as well as strangers and one from outside Sunken Madley Detective Inspector Thomas Trelawney would rather forget. Amanda’s irascible feline familiar, Tempest, naturally has a quietly starring role, providing his wry commentary on the behaviour of the lower species of humans around him.

The series, literally, reaches a new temperature in this intriguing sequel, to puzzle and delight lovers of humorous fantasy mystery, where Harry Potter meets Agatha Christie, in a 'timelessly British' supernatural whodunnit. A mirthful mix of vintage and modern-day, suspense, daring and excitement, with a happy ending.

Step in to join the delightful Amanda, the superior Tempest, the attractive but by-the-book Inspector Trelawney, his amused mentor, Former Chief Inspector Hogarth, wise and beloved glass-blower Aunt Amelia and an assemblage of suitably suspicious and villainous characters. Each individual has their own hidden depths to surprise you along the way as you enter the quaint English village of Sunken Madley.