Belinda Murrell crafts stories that transport readers to extraordinary places and times. Her writing is deeply inspired by her own adventures, allowing her to weave rich cultural details and authentic settings into her narratives. With a talent for compelling plots and relatable young protagonists, she creates engaging tales that spark curiosity and imagination. Murrell aims to inspire young readers to explore the world and its history through the magic of storytelling.
Pippa has just arrived at a new school, in a new town, and even living on a gorgeous island isn't cheering her up when she's missing London. Gradually Pippa makes friends, but her mum has a grand plan to buy a rustic old boatshed and start a bookshop cafe, and Pippa worries they'll lose all their money in this madcap venture - until Pippa's new friends come to the rescue with a plan to help get the cafe back on track.
Pippa and her friends Meg, Cici and Charlie are excited to join the school newspaper team - but will their friendship survive deciding what to write about when they have such different interests? Just when things couldn't get any worse, the four cub reporters get a news scoop that could bring the whole town together at Pepper's mum's beach shack cafe. Cupcakes for everyone!
Marli is staying with her dad in Melbourne, and missing her friends. Then she discovers a mystery - an abandoned mansion is to be returned to her family after many years. Marli sneaks into the locked garden to explore, and meets Luca, a boy who has his own connection to Riversleigh. A peacock hatbox, an antique camera and a key on a velvet ribbon provide clues to what happened long ago ... In 1922, Violet is fifteen. Her life is filled with boating parties, picnics and extravagant balls. An army of servants looks after her family - including the young Russian chauffeur, Nikolai. Over one summer, Violet must decide what is important to her. What will she learn about Melbourne's slums as she defies her father's orders to help a friend? Who will her sister marry? And what breathtaking secret is Nikolai hiding?