Dear Adele,
This letter may come as something of a surprise as we have never met. Time, however, is not on my side, so allow me to get straight to the point. I am dying and it is my wish that I might get the chance to know you, at least a little, before death takes me…I have enclosed a cheque for $10 000 to cover the necessary travel arrangements and additional expenses…
Your uncle,
Silas Winterbottom.
Adele Winterbottom did not expect a letter from her uncle. Neither did her cousins Milo and Isabella. None of them have ever met Uncle Silas. After all, he has not been in contact with his family for decades, except occasionally to insult them or refuse their requests for money. Now, though, Silas is dying, and the children believe he will choose one of them to be his heir. All three children come from families with money problems, and inheriting Silas’ money could make dreams come true. One of the children, however, doesn’t want a bar of the money and the other two are in competition to win Silas’ favour.
Holidaying in the luxurious surrounds of Sommerset proves to be no picnic. Not only do they need to outwit each other, but the cousins also find themselves caught up in mystery and intrigue they could have never imagined – including a fight for their lives.
Silas and the Winterbottoms is a gothic tale of intrigue, adventure and humour, complete with evil relatives, orphans, crocodiles, secret schemes and great escapes. Young fans of series such as Lemony Snicket will enjoy this one, the first in a series.
Silas and the Winterbottoms, by Stephen M. Giles
Pan Macmillan, 2009
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