The door flew open, and Granny stared out at Cat with wild eyes.
‘So,’ she said, almost in a whisper, ‘they’re back.’
 
For the first time in over fifty years, the Trooping Fairies are in the small town of Clonbridge for their annual Revels. Their arrival awakens other creatures, who have mischief and chaos in mind.
Eleven-year-old Cat is in more danger than most. She has the Sight, like her Granny before her, and that makes her a magnet for all things supernatural. But when the wild magic hurts her family, she needs to find a friend she can really trust. Together they face real danger and must use all their wits and bravery to save those they love, before the sun rises …

This book is perfect for 10–15-year-olds who really like fantasy, adventure and mystery. I really enjoyed this book because it was interesting, funny, heartwarming, clever and I really enjoyed the ending … 5 stars! - By David (age 11), 5th Class, Knockrooskey NS, Westport, Co. Mayo 

rooted deep in Irish myth and legend but with a touch of tech and suitably sinister cover illustrations by Shona Shirley MacDonald

I think that Alex Dunne, as author of The Book of Secrets may well have been to a fairy revel before, so wonderfully exotic and marvellous are her descriptions, I certainly wanted to be there for real and my imagination did a wonderful job of making it happen. I hope yours will too … From Irish publisher O’Brien Press this is a thrilling, magical debut story which has been inspired by Irish mythology (which is of course full of fairy-folk) and Irish folklore, with such rich histories to delve into this story is nothing short of compelling and fascinating as well as magical. You do need to listen and read closely though for this is a story of wishes, some of which may come true. It is also the story of those mischievous little folk who love nothing more than chaos and this Halloween for Cat and her friends, who, having swapped scary stories soon find themselves in real danger and in need of wits and bravery to save the day…

a thrilling story of adventure in the old ways, that successfully fuses real and magical … As the world changes at an ever speedier rate, folk tales and stories of magical creatures feel more important and vital than ever, providing a link to the old ways and playing a special role in a child’s imaginative world. Alex Dunne’s enthralling story is set at Samhain, Hallowe’en, the time when the walls between the worlds are thin and her protagonist, eleven-year-old Caitriona Donnelly, encounters all sorts of strange folk, some beautiful, most terrible, all untrustworthy … The story is compact and fast-paced, events moving with the urgency of the race against the clock this is, and it makes for thrilling reading. Dunne’s conjuring of the old ways is wholly convincing, real and magical successfully fused together … Readers outside Ireland may not be familiar with Clurichauns, the Dullahan or Merrows, but they’ll believe in them all by the time they close this story of magic, menace and mortal persistence ... Rich in folklore … thrilling reading, real and magical successfully fused together’

your next great adventure story for ages 9+ … brilliant writing. As a librarian, I'm constantly trying to put books into the hands of students that will keep them engaged and ignite their imagination, this is one of those books. Loaded with Irish folklore, it has a myriad of mythical creatures, all with their own peculiarities and eccentricities. Readers will be lost in the gorgeous, odd and frankly scary world of these beings. In our school, the world of games like Dungeons & Dragons is massively popular. I can see where these games like this have taken inspiration from the creatures of Irish folklore, creatures that Alex Dunne has beautifully brought to life. I recommend The Book of Secrets for ages 9+, school librarians looking for the next great adventure story do not need to look any further!

Pure Irish magic for kids 9-12

The author expertly crafts the atmosphere of Halloween; the veil between the worlds thinning, letting the other side creep in bit by bit … the characterisation, dialogue, setting and human issues combine to create an adventure that cannot be missed. Once you open the book, it’s nonstop and utterly consuming. Compelling, rich in legend and imagination, The Book of Secrets will make you rethink all your Halloween adventures

makes for a deliciously spooky book to read as the days grow shorter and the nights crowd in. It is a modern fairy tale in all respects, harkening back to older tales but with nods and elements … that ground it firmly in today

the perfect MG Contemporary Fantasy with a dash of scares for Halloween and has a real feel of an earthier, more folkish Labyrinth. Embracing whole heartedly Irish folklore and mythology along with being on the spooky vibes side of life … not only indulges a love of folklore and mythology but truly respects and celebrates it … Alex pulls upon a rich tapestry of Irish mythology

I absolutely loved this fairy tale story set in Ireland in modern day times … I especially loved the Labyrinth type vibes I was getting from the book, and it would be a fab book for 10+ to read as in an intro to fantasy books. I highly recommend this book and it is beautifully written. I struggled to put it down and a very accessible read for middle graders/primary school kids

Dunne takes familiar elements of Irish folklore and enriches them with extra imaginative detail, offering young readers a great starting point for learning more about the uniquely Irish elements of Halloween

Fast paced and thrilling, it’s a great Halloween read

Irish folklore meets modern Ireland in this wonderful debut novel

Teaching Resources: free to view and download

• Download Teaching Guides: Teaching guide to the book by Nicola Heaney