"A dandy fox detective. A missing magical book. Alchemical secrets, and elusive evidence — this delivers an abundance of adventure and mystery."
September 2025 Debut of the Month
Charlie Nutbrown’s The Feathered Book is a debut of the highest order. Think Wind in the Willows with added mystery, which begins when The Feathered Book, a volume brimming with images of “arcane symbols, strange flowers [and] sinister equipment”, vanishes from an underground library. As a result of being authored by an ancient alchemist, and under a curse, the book’s disappearance can only mean one thing — danger and, quite possibly, death.
Into this, we meet Monty the fox as he makes a big announcement to Nettle, his rabbit companion: “I’m going to be a detective – the greatest detective the Lake has ever known.” Which is how Pecksniff the librarian comes to engage Monty to find The Feathered Book, to Nettle’s dismay, for they are as chalk and cheese. “Where Monty was changeable and unpredictable, Nettle was the opposite: solid, fixed, sensible.” Still, Nettle can’t help but come to Monty’s aid, and the two make a wonderful duo of detection through this witty, atmospheric adventure that sees them endure pirate ambushes, defy death in the form of booby-trapped flying books, and find their first breakthrough through the lens of an astronomer’s telescope.
Elegantly written (the cadence of words is wonderful — perfectly attuned to atmosphere, pace and character), The Feathered Book is classy cosy crime for kids who want to be whisked away on mysterious adventures. Mention must also be made of Ewa Beniak- Haremska’s illustrations — detailed, evocative, tangled depictions of character and nature that would look very much at home in a classic fairy tale.
Monty the fox has a dream - but that's nothing new. Monty is brilliantly clever. But to the despair of his best friend, Nettle the rabbit, he just can't stick at anything.
| Suitable For: | |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
Monty the fox has a dream - but that's nothing new. Monty is brilliantly clever.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Feathered Book and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
The Feathered Book features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Star Books, Adventure Stories, Crime & Mystery, Fantasy / Magical, Animal Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Paperback. £8.09, down from the £8.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Feathered Book was written by Charlie Nutbrown and published by Everything With Words
The Feathered Book has 294 pages
£8.09, reduced from £8.99. In Stock.
