Mark A. Pritchard is a storyteller whose journey into writing began as an escape from academic essays to screenwriting. His works delve into the world of narrative that has captivated him since his studies in drama. Now residing in Oxford, Pritchard engages in writing, acting, and frequenting local pubs, his creative spirit continuously flourishing.
Mark Pritchard has spent much of his life riding his beloved Bianchi bicycles around Britain and Europe. In May 2018 he achieved a lifetime ambition when he left the UK to cycle 3,400 miles across the USA to Boston.
Shares long-distance cycling adventures in this highly entertaining and personal story.
When Billy’s father mysteriously disappears and his mother responds by becoming more and more reclusive, Billy maintains hope that his father’s absence is not by choice—despite the rumors and taunts of his classmates who believe otherwise. Twelve days before Christmas, Billy acquires a magical tree with a dozen ornaments, each of which holds a clue to finding his father. In order to do so, however, Billy must solve one puzzle each day, so he enlists the help of his best friend Katherine, not realizing that in doing so, he has placed them both in grave danger. The forces of evil that have captured Billy’s father are revealed to be manifest in the landscape of their very own small hometown outside of Oxford, England, as well as in some of its seemingly benign inhabitants. A beautifully woven narrative with rich, compelling characters, this novel is sure to strike a chord with any fan of fantasy literature.