Friday 25 January 2019

ReadItDaddy's Chapter Book of the Week - Week Ending 25th January 2019: "The Secret Diary of Kitty Cask, Smuggler's Daughter" by Philip Ardagh and Jamie Littler (Nosy Crow / National Trust)

Once again, Messrs Ardagh and Littler land slap bang in the middle of our Chapter Book of the Week slot with the fourth in their fantastic "Secret Diary" series...
One of our favourite parts of the country is Cornwall, and we're lucky enough to have relatives down there who can show us around all of the intricate coves and beaches where once, many moons ago, smugglers would haul their illicit booty up the beach from shipwrecks and illegal freight runs to sell off for fortune and glory.

In "The Secret Diary of Kitty Cask, Smuggler's Daughter" you'll meet Kitty who isn't really cut out for a smuggler's life - but finds herself unwittingly saving her dad's bacon more often than not.

Once again Philip and Jamie build on their hugely successful mix of fact and fiction for a tale of 18th century smuggling and intrigue! 

In the Cornish coastal village of Minnock, Kitty and her family make their living as "free traders" - secretly bringing contraband goods into the country while evading the corrupt Redcoats who work for the King. 

Kitty isn't supposed to be involved in any of her father's schemes... but she's very good at creeping out at night, and before too long she is caught in the thick of the action - salvaging shipwrecks, staging prison-breaks, and staying one step ahead of the tyrannical excisemen! 

C has loved this series. As a huge fan of history, and in particular stories of clever and brilliant young girls who live on their intelligence and wits, cunning and verve, Kitty hit the right note from the get-go - in a story that really will have you on the edge of your seat by the end of each chapter. 

Brilliant stuff!

"The Secret Diary of Kitty Cask, Smuggler's Daughter" by Philip Ardagh and Jamie Littler is out now, published by Nosy Crow (kindly supplied for review).