This author explores themes rooted in rural settings, with work appreciated for its readability. His prolific output spans a wide range of genres, from children's short stories to novels for adults, young adults, and middle-grade readers. Beyond his prose, he is also a widely produced playwright, showcasing his versatile storytelling talents.
Things are disappearing mysteriously from Will Shakespeare's acting company, and it looks like an inside job. Everyone's eyes are on Widge, the orphan boy turned actor, and former thief. Widge knows better than anyone that Shakespeare's plays must be protected at all costs. In order to prove his innocence and clear his name, Widge must learn a new role: spy. But can he dig through the suspects and skulduggery and catch the true culprit?
Set against the backdrop of the Black Plague's impact on the Globe Theatre, the story follows Widge, an orphan and talented apprentice with a gift for shorthand, as he embarks on a tour with Shakespeare's acting troupe. His passion for the stage is challenged when a mysterious stranger reveals a secret from his past that threatens to separate him from the theatre he cherishes. This adventure explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the transformative power of art amidst adversity.
A delightful adveture full of humor and heart set in Elizabethan England!Widge is an orphan with a rare talent for shorthand. His fearsome master has just one demand: steal Shakespeare's play "Hamlet"--or else. Widge has no choice but to follow orders, so he works his way into the heart of the Globe Theatre, where Shakespeare's players perform. As full of twists and turns as a London alleyway, this entertaining novel is rich in period details, colorful characters, villainy, and drama.* "A fast-moving historical novel that introduces an important era with casual familiarity." -- School Library Journal , starred review"Readers will find much to like in Widge, and plenty to enjoy in this gleeful romp through olde England" --Kirkus Reviews "Excels in the lively depictions of Elizabethan stagecraft and street life." -- Publishers WeeklyAn ALA Notable Book
Dangerous knowledge becomes a central theme as the narrative unfolds, exploring the consequences when information falls into the wrong hands. The story delves into the moral dilemmas faced by characters who grapple with the power and implications of what they know. As tensions rise, the characters must navigate a treacherous landscape where their choices could lead to devastating outcomes, highlighting the fine line between enlightenment and peril.
1853. When the body of a prostitute is found in Hyde Park, veteran sleuth Charley Field is disinclined to believe the official verdict of suicide. Convinced the woman was murdered, he determines to track down the mysterious client who visited her the day she died. But there is more to this murder than even Charley could have imagined.
A story of a rebellion against the fashionable mores of our time. A young American is stranded in Scotland without any idea of how it has happened. She fights to discover the hidden forces which were attempting her abduction.