The Wolves of Willoughby Chase - Joan Aiken

The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken / ISBN 9780099572879 / 256-page paperback from Vintage Classics

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Long ago, at a time in history that never happened, England was overrun with wolves. But as Bonnie and her cousin Sylvia discover, real danger often lies closer to home. Their new governess, Miss Slighcarp, doesn't seem at all nice. She shuts Bonnie in a cupboard, fires the faithful servants and sends the cousins far away from Willoughby Chase to a place they will never be found. Can Bonnie and Sylvia outwit the wicked Miss Slighcarp and her network of criminals, forgers and snitches?

'Joan Aiken is a marvel' -- Philip Pullman

'She was a consummate story-teller, one that each generation discovers anew...A thrilling tale...stuffed with atmosphere, adventure, memorable characters and luxuriant Gothic prose. Any child who discovers it will fall in love, not only with Aiken’s writing, but with reading... The Wolves sequence has inspired writers from Philip Pullman to Cathryn Constable... Aiken was a genius, and her reissue deserves howls of delight' -- Amanda Craig ― The Times

'Dickensian in flavour ... rich in atmosphere and intrigue' -- Julia Eccleshare ― Guardian

'A genuine small masterpiece' -- Time