Illustrated Child

Romilly Kemp has an idyllic childhood, but when her father makes her the star of his illustrated books, her carefree existence is threatened. She begins to delve deeper into the books and her past, and finds a truth that is far darker and more devastating than any treasure hunt. The Illustrated Child is an evocative and enchanting debut that will leave readers breathless.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 08 July 2021
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

A young girl named Romilly Kemp lives in a remote farmhouse surrounded by wilderness. Her father, a talented illustrator, makes her the star of his beautifully illustrated books, which are believed to hold clues to an elaborate treasure hunt. However, when her father falls ill, Romilly becomes more isolated and alone, and she delves deeper into the books and her past. As she unravels the clues, she discovers a truth that is far darker and more devastating than any treasure hunt could ever be.

The Illustrated Child is a captivating coming-of-age story that explores themes of child neglect, mental ill health, and the power of imagination. It is written in fine, delicate prose and is filled with memorable characters brought to life in a setting that drips with atmosphere. The book has received praise from critics, including Veronica Henry, Edward Carey, and the Daily Mail, who have described it as "evocative and enchanting," "beautiful, dark, haunting," and "a bewitching read."

Romilly's childhood is idyllic, spent roaming the wilderness and exploring the surrounding countryside. Her father, who is passionate about art and storytelling, makes her the star of his books, which are filled with magical creatures and fantastical landscapes. However, as Romilly grows older, she begins to feel isolated and alone, as her father spends more and more time working on his books.

One day, a stranger arrives at their door, claiming to be a fan of Romilly's father's work. He asks to see the books, and Romilly reluctantly allows him to take a look. As he flips through the pages, he notices that some of the illustrations are missing, and he becomes increasingly curious about the missing pieces.

Romilly's father falls ill shortly after the stranger's visit, and he is unable to continue working on his books. Romilly becomes more isolated and alone than ever, as she is left to fend for herself in the farmhouse. She spends her days wandering the wilderness, searching for clues to the treasure hunt that her father had hinted at in his books.

As she delves deeper into the books and her past, Romilly begins to uncover a dark family secret that has been hidden for generations. She discovers that her father had been using his illustrations to hide a map that leads to a treasure that he had been searching for his entire life. However, the treasure is not what Romilly had expected it to be.

The treasure is a dark and twisted secret that has been passed down through the generations of Romilly's family. It is a symbol of their greed and corruption, and it has been responsible for the deaths of many people. Romilly is horrified by the discovery, and she begins to question everything she has ever known about her father and her family.

As Romilly continues to unravel the secrets of her family, she becomes more and more isolated and alone. She is haunted by the knowledge of what her family has done, and she is unable to face the truth about her past. However, she is determined to find the truth and bring the guilty to justice.

In the end, Romilly discovers a way to use the treasure to bring her family to justice. She uses the map to lead the authorities to the location of the treasure, and she watches as her family is arrested and brought to trial. The trial is a long and difficult process, but Romilly is determined to see it through to the end.

In the end, Romilly emerges as a hero, and she is hailed as a champion for justice. She has faced her past head-on and has discovered a way to use the power of the treasure to bring about change. The Illustrated Child is a powerful and emotional story that explores the themes of child neglect, mental ill health, and the power of imagination. It is a story that will stay with readers long after they have finished reading it.

Weight: 304g
Dimension: 129 x 198 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780008358440