PUNCH is a Victorian boy-on the run adventure, with a bit of a murder story thrown in, too. It’s based on some real events in 1889.

Here is some of the beautiful artwork I have seen in Scottish schools, inspired by this book!

I’m really excited – I love Victorian times, I love Scotland, I love puppetry and performance.

This story combines all of these, but also features an escaped prisoner and a dancing bear, with a bit of a murder story thrown in for good measure. Best of all, it begins with a real event: a huge fire which destroyed the Victorian market halls in Inverness in 1889.

My hero, 12-year-old Phineas, finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time. Here is a flavour of what happens:

Available to order from Waterstones, Amazon, and all good bookshops.