Haarville

LoveReading4Kids Says

Orphan Manx has spent his entire life in Haarville, a small town on a small island often buried in thick haar (sea mist) and surrounded by sharp rocks. It’s connected to the rest of the world by a causeway so dangerous only a deranged squid searching for a lost tentacle would attempt to cross it.

Manx is happy living there with his guardian, Father G, aka drag queen Gloria in Excelsis, who runs Manx’s family business, maintaining the town’s array of ‘perpetual devices’, all powered by the mysterious but fragrant ‘amberose’. Everything changes though when strangers arrive, boasting a stronger claim to the shop, and showing an unhealthy interest in amberose.

A fast, funny but perilous treasure hunt ensures, with more than Manx’s future in his foggy island home at stake. Haarville is a fabulous place, full of wonderful characters and Manx’s adventures are thoroughly entertaining. This is perfect reading for those love spooky seaside-town set mysteries with a touch of magic.

Reviewed by Andrea Reece
Andrea Reece has spent almost her entire working life in children’s books, first as publisher, latterly as consultant, project manager and critic.
More reviews by Andrea Reece

About Haarville

Welcome to Haarville - if you've arrived, you've survived. Off the grid and not on the maps, it's a place shrouded in fog and steeped in pungent pongs. Everything here smells fishy, especially the town's suspicious new arrivals.

Read the full description

Find This Book In