The highly anticipated second novel from the author of acclaimed The Secret Starling - a spectacular adventure set through and under the streets of Paris. When Penelope Magnificent's awful parents tell her they're taking a trip to Paris, she surprises them by begging to go along. Nell is usually content to avoid her money-obsessed father and her fashion-focussed mother, but Paris holds something very dear to her . . . her old au pair Perrine - Pear - lives there. Pear used to write to Nell every week promising to come to her rescue but recently the letters have stopped . . . Arriving at her parent's posh hotel, Nell is determined to find Pear . . . but no one has seen her at her last known address, and no one seems to want to tell her anything about Pear's whereabouts. Luckily she befriends the hotel bellboy who introduces her to the world of tunnels underneath the city, and together they set out to find Pear, whilst uncovering an extraordinary mystery of their own . . . Gorgeous black and white illustrations by Kim Geyer bring this story to life. 'A rumbustious, rollicking adventure with a generous heart and a happy ending.' Books for Keeps 'FABULOUS!' Emma Carroll, author of Letters from the Lighthouse 'I loved The Pear Affair! If you liked Katherine Rundell you'll love this.' Lisa Thompson, author of The Boy Who Fooled the World

'A rollicking, salty, breath of fresh air.' Hilary McKay 'Absolutely adored it!' Emma Carroll By the celebrated author of The Pear Affair and The Secret Starling - Patch finds adventure on every deck of the 'floating palace' she accidentally stows away on. Liverpool, 1910 When Patch runs up the gangway of steamship, RMS Glorious, she isn't planning to hang around. But if she leaves her hiding place the constable might catch her: sitting tight is worth the risk. Too late, she realises the ship is setting sail! Patch has become an accidental stowaway. Luckily, Patch's unconventional past has made her pretty fearless when it comes to fending for herself, and besides there are friends in high and low places to be made onboard. But hiding away becomes less and less easy: her new friends urgently need her help and there's a mystery that needs solving, all before they reach New York . . . With gorgeous chapter head illustrations by Kim Geyer. 'Sucked me in like a whirlpool.' Clare Povey 'A page-turning adventure.' Nicola Penfold 'An engaging historical adventure.' The Bookseller 'Full of adventure and fun.' The Book Bag 'Exciting, funny and full of warmth.' LoveReading4Kids 'Exquisite storytelling.' Jo Clarke, BookLoverJo 'A gem of a book.' Kevin Cobane, VIP Reading

Clara has lived a life of solitude, home schooled under her mean uncle's strict regime . . . until now!

The day that Uncle abandons Clara, leaving her with nothing but a wedge of 'guilt money' and a half empty, crumbling manor house, she is determined to do things her way for a change. And when streetwise Peter turns up, with his rescue cat and a surprising array of knowledge, she is sure that between them they have everything they need to survive.

But the house is to be sold . . . and Uncle has lied to Clara . . . and nothing, NOTHING is as it seems.