Jenny Valentine - 4 Book Award-winning Collection (Finding Violet Park, Broken Soup, The Ant Colony, The Double Life of Cassiel Roadnight‪)‬

Four extraordinary stories from Guardian award-winning author, Jenny Valentine.

“Valentine writes so beautifully and so convincingly that you're instantly swept into the mystery of people's lives." Amanda Craig, The Times

Finding Violet Park:
When sixteen-year-old Lucas Swain rescues Violet Park’s ashes from a mini-cab office, he sets out to discover who she was, and finally faces up to the question of his missing father…

Broken Soup:
When a stranger gives a dropped photo negative to Rowan, she’s sure it’s all a big mistake. Who is he? Why did he give it to her? The mystery only deepens when the photo is developed and the inconceivable appears.

The Ant Colony:
For Sam and Bohemia, number 33 Georgiana Street is a place to disappear. Like ants, the residents scurry about their business, no questions asked. But it doesn’t take much to upset the balance. Dig deep enough and you’ll find that everyone has something to hide…

The Double Life of Cassiel Roadnight:
An explosive mystery and the story of a boy who assumes the identity of a missing teenager and in-so-doing unearths a series of shattering family secrets – and the truth about who he really is.

Reviews

Praise for Jenny Valentine:

‘Valentine has the essential storyteller's gift of making you want to read on – and to know more even after the book is finished.’ Guardian

‘The award-winning Valentine has a keen eye for the idiosyncrasies of young children, and the rhythms of family life.’ The Bookseller

‘[Valentine] has a wonderful ability to take readers right into the hearts and souls of her central characters, and reading her is always a truly vicarious experience.’ The Bookbag

Praise for The Ant Colony:

‘[Valentine] has a magical narrative voice that instantly engages … Valentine writes so beautifully and so convincingly that you're instantly swept in the mystery of these people's lives.’ Amanda Craig, The Times

‘Valentine's observation and language is both unexpected and refreshing.’ Nicolette Jones, Sunday Times Culture

‘[Valentine] has produced a story that is both witty and entertaining … charmingly written.’ Daily Telegraph

‘This is a fine piece of slice-of-life fiction, warm but not cosy, neatly structured and credible.’ FT Weekend

‘A moving narrative of belonging, love and redemption.’ School Librarian

‘The Ant Colony… has a very raw emotional honesty about it that is tempered past heartbreak by a vivid imagination and wonderful sense of humour. [It's] completely gorgeous, utterly charming, funny, sweet, sad, and underneath it all, very, very real.’ The Bookbag

‘Expertly plotted and continually gripping, it is hard to remember that this is only Jenny Valentine's third novel … an excellent and heartening read.’ Books for Keeps

‘Intriguing.’ Mizz

‘A clever and well-paced plot.’ The Ultimate Book Guide

‘Once again the author has created believable characters with integrity and skill. They come complete with flaws, hopes and fears and effectively convey a whole range of emotions.’ Carousel