The Secret of Helmersbruk Manor

An intriguing mystery tale... Will draw in curious over-12s, with a layered mystery to solve and a satisfying emotional resolution * Big Issue, Kids' Books of the Year *
Ideal to snuggle up with on a chilly evening, this evocative, gentle ghost story for 9+ has a hint of Tom's Midnight Garden * Guardian *
THE addictive advent book to buy for your young reader this Christmas period. Mystery, intrigue, ghosts and adventure combine with themes of loss and grief, as well as friendship and love. It's compellingly written and I didn't want to put it down! Each chapter has a beautiful black and white illustration which adds to the atmosphere of dark intrigue and suspense. A superb spine-tingling story to snuggle up with at this time of year. I adored it * Mini Travellers *
An authentic classic ghost story that speaks to Victorian traditions, while also bringing an accessible modern sensibility... It would make an excellent advent gift * Irish Times *
So compelling and absorbing that it is impossible to put down! A brilliant, gripping story - perfect for Christmas, but a great read at any time of year! * Through the Bookshelf *
The story is told in 24 chapters, each just the right length to be read aloud before bedtime, beginning with a beautiful illustration by Elin Sandström, and ending in a suitable cliffhanger. The idea is to read one chapter a day, in 'real time' with the story, until the happy conclusion on Christmas Eve, a concept I find utterly charming. However, it is such an enjoyable read that it might be difficult to ration it -- Swedish Book Review
A real, honest ghost story, more eerie than scary, reminiscent of Maria Gripe and Edith Nesbit's classics. Eva Frantz tells it in 24 chapters, one for each day in December until Christmas Eve, but it's hard to limit reading to one chapter a day when it starts to get exciting * Dagens Nyheter *
THE addictive advent book to buy for your young reader this Christmas period... Each chapter has a beautiful black and white illustration which adds to the atmosphere of dark intrigue and suspense. A superb spine-tingling story to snuggle up with at this time of year. I adored it * Books for Keeps *
Suitably spooky without being too creepy, with touches of mystery and fantasy...The idea of an advent book like this is that you should read a chapter a day, but that can be difficult. Because The Secret of Helmersbruk Manor is so exciting that it sucks you in * Vasabladet *
Like a sparkler at Christmas time, a little Yuletide gift that invites you to be absorbed together by the safe enchantment of reading in the December darkness * Hufvudstadsbladet *
I love the darkness and mystery of Eva Frantz's writing - carefully placed clues, shiver inducing sightings and layers of questions that allow the reader to really be a part of the story... A spine-tingling Christmas mystery * Scope for Imagination *
So cosily creepy that you just want to put everything else on pause and read, read, read * YLE *
The winter manor setting provides many atmospheric scenes. It is a delight to immerse yourself in reading about the winter garden filled with the scent of hyacinths or the silver glow of the moon on the frozen pond... At the beginning of each chapter is a full-page picture made by Elin Sandström. They perfectly introduce the atmosphere of each chapter to the reader * Demokraatti *